You can switch the color change progression from the default linear to clockwise or clockwise along the color wheel.īy default, all contours have the same distance between steps, as well as the same rate of color change. The same applies to the change between the original and contour outline colors. The number of contour steps can also be adjusted by dragging the slider, which updates the contour offset distance.īy default, the contour colors change gradually from the object’s original fill color to the contour fill color. You can also drag the swatch to switch between inside and outside contours.Ĭontour outline and fill color can be set by clicking the swatches on the Property Bar, or you can drag a swatch directly onto either the outline diamond or the fill square. You can change the offset distance, which is the distance between steps, by dragging the fill square swatch, or you can enter the distance manually on the Property Bar. You can add steps to increase the number of contours, which proceed from the object’s fill color to the contour color. We’ll look at the To Center option a bit farther on. In this example, one contour step was applied, which follows the shape around at a constant offset of the specified distance, with the specified fill and outline colors.Ĭlicking Inside Contour places the new shape inside the object, and clicking Outside Contour places it along the outside. If an object was pre-selected before activating the Contour tool, the Property Bar displays the contour options. When the Contour tool is active, if no object is pre-selected, you can click the object to contour, and the contour options are displayed on the Property Bar. The options here are the same ones that appear on the Property Bar when creating or editing a contour. There is also a Contour docker, or Contour inspector on the Mac, which can be opened by choosing Window > Dockers > Effects > Contour. The Contour tool is part of the Effects tool group.
Contours can be applied to objects, groups of objects, and text.Ĭlick on any of the images below to view full-size. Contours can be used to create interesting 3D effects, such as shading in complex illustrations, or for creating cuttable outlines to be used by devices such as plotters, engraving machines, and vinyl cutters.
A contour is an effect created by adding evenly spaced, concentric shapes inside or outside the borders of an object.