Illustrator 101 - The Twirl Tool

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Illustrator 101 - The Twirl Tool

The twirl tool is a great tool that can make complex and eye-catching objects in no time. Here's one way to use it.

Here's what we are going to get to. It is a simple wallpaper design.

With the Twirl Tool the effect is very simple.

Using the twirl tool

Simply draw a circle on the canvas and then select the Twirl Tool. This is tucked away within the Warp Tool.

Hover over the edge of the circle and then click and hold. The longer you hold your click the more the shape will twirl. You will see a Twirl created on the edge of the circle like this:

Repeat the process over and over and you start to build up complex shapes. To vary the options double click on the tool in the toolbar. You will see this:

This allows you to control the twirl and how big it is and at what angle it is drawn. Play around with the options - sometimes it can look really bad but other times you will get it right.

If you select multiple objects on the canvas you can twirl them together - the tool will blend the shapes for you.

So in no time you can create something like this.

If you'd like to have the desktop you can get a copy for your screen resolution below:

Comments

Chris Coyier Aug 19 2007: Very nice! The twirl too really is a cool effects tool. I dig it’s re-emergence from the Effects menu into the toolbar.
Abhijit V. Chaore Sep 10 2007: yes…..good one.
Kim Sep 16 2007: I cant find the Twirl Tool….I have CS2. Is this for CS3?
Kim Sep 16 2007: nevermind…im a doof…I found it.
faraz Sep 19 2007: ohhooo thank god i got it
R. B Raja Sep 22 2007: Its very simple but wonderfull jobs. thanks for you can insert it.
Jd Sep 25 2007: this relly gud tutorial i n i learnt very much from this tutorial
raju Oct 22 2007: simply super
Rony Nov 28 2007: its very simple but wonderful tutorial
carmelia Jan 26 2008: thanks! simply easy to understand!
Stefan Ashwell Sep 12 2008: Great tutorial thanks a lot :D