Repeat elements in a brush stroke

An unanchored shape in a brush stroke is stretched across the full length of the path. However, you sometimes want a pattern to repeat along a path. For example, you can define a stroke of a fish with scales that are repeated along a long path, instead of being stretched along the path. In the following example, you can see how a stroke in the shape of an arrow can take advantage of both anchoring and repeating. Of course, if the path is shorter than the stroke, no elements are repeated.

This sequence shows a brush stroke with (1) no anchors or repeats; (2) the head and tail anchored to the start and end of the path; (3) the heart given basic repeat handles; (4) the repeat handles dragged in to straddle just the heart shape; and (5) both the repeat handles anchored

Making a shape repeatable

To make one part of a stroke repeatable

1. In the Properties panel, in the Appearance category, in the Stroke Gallery, select the stroke you want to modify.

   

2. On the Object menu, point to Stroke, and then click Edit Stroke Definition. The stroke is displayed in a new window.

3. In the new window, select one or more paths you want to repeat. (Only full paths can be repeated.)

4. Right-click and then, in the menu that appears, click Make Repeating. Microsoft Expression Design automatically displays the Repeat tool . A pair of repeat handles appears at the two ends of the stroke definition box.

5. Drag the repeat handles to limit the section of the path that contains the repeating pattern. (See the following section for information about anchoring repeat handles.)

6. Finish editing and defining the stroke.

After you click the Make Repeating button, repeat handles are displayed on each side of the reference backbone. You can drag these handles closer in to the shape you're repeating.

Positioning and anchoring repeat handles

The positions of the repeat handles affect how the pattern is repeated.

To specify how a repeat pattern is positioned

• Drag the repeat handles on either side of the section of the path to create the following options:

  • To create a space between each repeat, drag the handles to display a portion that is wider than the shape.

  • To create a pattern where a shape runs into the next shape, drag the handles to display a portion that is narrower than the shape.

  • To control where along the path the shape is repeated, position the handles along the reference backbone (the red arrow). For example, if the first repeat handle appears one-third of the way along the backbone, then the shape will begin to repeat one-third of the way along the path. If the second repeat handle is positioned two-thirds of the way down the path, then the repeating shape will end two-thirds of the way along the path.

You can stretch the repeating pattern to the start or end of the destination path by anchoring one or both of the repeat handles.

To anchor a repeat handle

• Hold the SHIFT key down and click the repeat handle you want to anchor.

  The first repeat handle will anchor the pattern at the start of the path. Then second repeat handle will anchor the pattern at the end of the path.

Holding down the SHIFT key when clicking a repeat handle anchors it to the start or end of the destination path

Adjusting shape size with repeat handles

Repeatable shapes do not have to be the same size throughout the complete path.

To change the size of a repeated shape

• Drag the second repeat handle away from the reference backbone to make the pattern's size increase along the path. Drag the handle toward the reference backbone to make the pattern grow smaller along the path.

Multiple repeating objects

You can have more than one shape in a brush stroke repeat along the path.

To repeat multiple shapes

1. Select a second path you want to include in the path.

2. Right-click and then, in the menu that appears, click Make Repeating. Microsoft Expression Design automatically displays the Repeat tool . A pair of repeat handles appears at the two ends of the stroke definition box.

Because each shape has its own set of repeat handles, each shape can repeat at a different interval or at a different location along the path.

Each shape in this pattern has its own repeat handles, and none of the repeat handles are anchored

Identify repeatable parts of a stroke

If you are editing a path, you may want to see which parts can be repeated.

To see which parts of a stroke are repeatable

1. In the Properties panel, in the Appearance category, in the Stroke Gallery, select the stroke you want to modify.

2. On the Object menu, point to Stroke, and then click Edit Stroke Definition. The stroke appears in a new window.

3. In the new window, in the Toolbox, select the Repeat tool .

4. Each repeatable shape is surrounded by a dashed line. Click an object in the dashed area to select the repeatable shape and see the repeat handles.

Creating unrepeatable sections

You can decide to make sure that part of your path cannot be repeated.

To create an unrepeatable portion in your path

1. In the Properties panel, in the Appearance category, in the Stroke Gallery, select the stroke you want to modify.

2. On the Object menu, point to Stroke, and then click Edit Stroke Definition. The stroke appears in a new window.

3. In the new window, in the Toolbox, select the Repeat tool .

4. Each repeatable shape is surrounded by a dashed line. Right-click an object in the dashed area, and then click Do Not Repeat.