Weddingbee Blog

OK, team, so we’ve covered dotted lines and glyphs. What’s next? Well, today’s tip is an easy one (hooray), but I thought some beginners might not be so sure how to do it. Get ready to make some zig-zag and wavy lines!

Again, all screenshots come from Illustrator CS4. I seriously plan on updating to CS5 soon! Also, the screenshots all come from a Mac, but things should be comparable to a PC. (Just substitute “control” for “command” on a Mac.)

1) Open a new document (Key command: command + n).

2) Create whatever shape you want to use a zig-zag or wavy line with. You could use the pen tool (key command: p) to make a line, the pencil (key command:n) to make a more organic line; you could make a rectangle (key command: m), or a circle (key command: l). Basically, just make whatever you want, but it has to have a stroke around it.

For this, I just made a circle, but I gave it a stroke weight of 5 pt so it’d be easy for you guys to see.

3) Select your circle with the black arrow (key command: v) by clicking on it once. You’ll know it’s selected because a bounding box will appear around it.

4) OK, now we’re either going to make a zig-zag line or a wavy line. Go up to the top and choose Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag.

5) The zig-zag pop up will come up. If you “check” the preview box, you’ll be able to see the changes as they happen. Move the slider bars for the zig zaggin’ to happen. For a zig-zag line, make sure the circle at the bottom, under points, is checked for “Corner.”

For a wavy line, make sure the circle at the bottom, under points, is checked for “Smooth.”

6) Click OK.

7) This is the end, unless you want to edit the individual points of your wavy line. To do this, make sure your shape is selected and go to Object > Expand Appearance.

The points of your wavy line will now be editable.

9) Use the white arrow (key command: a) to move your points around to your heart’s content!

Told you it was easy! Who loves wavy lines? I know you do!

Need more clarification? Any ideas for future posts? Let me know!