2013

Distorting Objects 147
1. Select the object or objects.
2. Select the MOLD TOOL (shortcut "Shift +
F6").
3. Choose one of the envelope options:
The right-hand button is similar to paste perspective described earlier.
The left-hand button does not initially alter the object. The other buttons immediately
alter the object.
After applying the mold, to edit it:
1. Drag any of the corner handles.
2. Or click on a corner handle and then drag the curve handles.
The above example shows the 4 curve handles of the corners have been dragged
outwards to bend the content of the mold.
You can also rotate, resize and skew the enveloped object using the
SELECTOR TOOL.
The mold mesh button
The Mesh button displays a series of faint dots which can help preview the
distortions that the envelope mold is giving.
Envelope molds
You can create an envelope mold from any four sided shape, which you can distort as
you require, and then use as an envelope mold by clicking the
PASTE ENVELOPE button
on the
MOLD TOOL InfoBar.
Editing mold shapes
You can edit the contents of a mold (essentially a group) using editing inside groups
(on page 121). Editing is not possible using direct selection
inside (molds do not allow
objects inside them to become selected). To edit a mold inside, right click on the mold
and choose
OPEN MOLD from the context menu.
You can edit the shape of envelope or perspective molds with the
SHAPE EDITOR TOOL
(or the edit handles with
SELECTOR TOOL, if shown). According to the nature of molds,
there are some restrictions:
• You cannot add point handles to a perspective or envelope mold, because it has
to stay a four-sided shape
• You cannot change a straight line of a perspective mold into a curve.