How are the layers created with theses Mandalas

[duncan]

@designvh619

Blend does not accurately work on compound shapes. I have been able to make it work for grouped line art. Just remember, blend works by enlarging or decreasing the object in steps proportionally. So if you want the same width of cut for the object’s layers make sure you are blending grouped stroked line art.

Another superb insight mate thank you … I didn’t know blending compound shapes would pose a problem… the designs I’ve played with look fine e.g. I made this, each layer is a compound path:

But I take your point that compound shapes will behave differently… so it’s best I release the compound path and group the stroked lines

thanks again for your help… I shall have a play with offsetting more… I’ve got so much to learn

[jeanneleigh]

Thanks for sharing the steps! I’ll be trying this in Inkscape.

[ekla]

For the concentric parts - an easily adjustable and quick method in Illustrator would be to stack multiple strokes in the Appearance panel. This works equally well on compound and simple shapes. Once you’re happy with the design expand it all to get the correct cut lines. In your example photo it looks like it could be done with 3 or 4 base shapes.

[ptodd]

Thank you for the write-up. I don’t use Illustrator, but your steps will give guidance to work through.

[evansd2]

@ekla

For the concentric parts - an easily adjustable and quick method in Illustrator would be to stack multiple strokes in the Appearance panel.

The big assumption here is that you want your profiles to expand in both directions, and equally at that. To achieve a profile that is not vertically symmetrical (such as straight or an “undercut”), you’ll need a different method. I can visualize how to do it, and it’s close to your method but it requires expanding each layer separately, then breaking the expanded stroke apart, discarding the one you don’t want, and expanding the resulting “half expansion” on its own. Adjusting the offset for each step will yield almost any profile you want.

It’s a lot more hands on, so I’d work with the end design’s symmetry. For example, if it has radial symmetry with 8 lobes, I would work with an 8th of the design, then copy/clone and rotate them into place so I can see what’s happening overall and work on the main repeating base.

Once I was happy with the end result, I’d unclone and join the 8 copies. Manual node manipulation like this is not always fun, but it would save you so much time here.

[ekla]

@evansd2

The big assumption here is that you want your profiles to expand in both directions, and equally at that.

Not true in Illustrator. Strokes have three possible positions: outside, centered and inside. I stand by my original statement.

[evansd2]

@ekla

Strokes have three possible positions: outside, centered and inside. I stand by my original statement.

Ahh that’s a nice little feature. Thanks for the tip.

[ekla]

There all sorts of fun options for strokes!