Brush Transform

Related Information

Brush Palette

Brush Design

Use Brush

Brush Scratch Pad

Brush Methods

Interval Brush

Sequence Brush

Repeat Sequence Brush

Reflect Sequence Brush

Brush Transform and Sequence Transform

Brush Stroke Paths may be morphed with two independent transforms, a primary transform and the sequence transform. The primary transform applies directly the Brush Stroke Path, changing the size, shape, and orientation before the path is applied to the master path. The sequence transform applies to some repeating brush methods, in these cases the modifications (generally a smaller change) are applied successively to each of the repeating paths.

The transformed shape is not reflected in an inspection view, the preview on the panel shows the original starting shape. The transformed shape is viewed interactively on the main EazyDraw drawing. Generally the target master path with the applied brush is used to view and design the proper settings for the transform parameters.

This transform panel is accessed from the Transform or Sequence buttons on the Brush design tab of the Brush palette. These buttons are shown when a brush method that supports the transform is selected.

Offset is a value that will shift the Brush Stroke path along the master path.

Away is a value that will shift Brush Stroke Path away from the master path, perpendicular to the direction of the "Offset" shift.

Rotate is a value that will spin the Brush Stroke path around the geometric center of the Brush Stroke Path.

Scale is a uniform sizing parameter that will adjust the overall size of the Brush Stroke Path.

The four Distortion parameters, Across, Pitch, Tilt, and Down are the "raw" Affine transform matrix. You don't need a math degree to use them, experimentation is the best method. In general, but not precisely, their control aspects are as follows: Across controls width scaling which is the "along" the master path but after rotation. Down controls height scaling which is the "away" direction but after rotation. Pitch and Tilt used together provide rotation, if they are equal in magnitude this will be a simple rotation. Shear is accomplished with Pitch and Tilt - when they have non-matching values. Pitch and Tilt are specified as angles, Across and Down are specified in scaling percentages.

The Cancel button will close the Transform panel, clear the current transform configuration and restore the transform configuration that was present when the panel was called.

The Done button will close the Transform panel, and permanently apply the transform in the current configuration.

The Flip button will "flip" the brush shape along the direction of the master path.

The Clear button will return the current transform to the "no-action" state, or unity transform. This has no offset, translation, rotation or shear.

Changes to Rotation and Scale values will cause changes to the the m-- matrix parameters. The scaling or rotation is actually accomplished by EazyDraw computing and setting the correct matrix values. Conversely, if changes are made directly to the matrix values, you may see a change in the defined scale or rotation values. However, changes to the matrix do not result in changes to the translation parameters, "Along" and "Away".

Scaling and rotation have well defined meanings when there is no shear to the transform. In the case of shear, the actual rotation and scale will have more general and approximate meanings.

The Along, Offset, and Rotate values are measured in Fine Scale Units (inches, mm, or points) as shown by the Units Button found at the upper right hand corner of the palette. All other values are unit-less fractions. Percentages are not used on this panel - just the simple fractions, so 0.5 means "half the size".