How to Create Vector Smoke using WidthScribe in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial you will learn how to create a translucent vector smoke, combining WidthScribe tools with native Illustrator’s features. WidthScribe successfully works with any vector matter, even with such light and ghostly one as a smoke…

Step 1

Create a semi-transparent background consisting of gray squares that are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. On top of the checkered background place a square with a black and white gradient fill and apply the Multiply blending mode to the object.

Now we can start creating a vector smoke.

Step 2

With the help of the Pen Tool or InkScribe Tool draw a wavy line, which will match the direction of the smoke wisp.

Now create the shape of the smoke using the WidthScribe plug-in. Open the Width Gradient panel (Window> WidthScribe> Width Gradient Panel), and then select A-line Graph preset menu panel, enable Linear mode and set the minimum and maximum width.

Take Width Gradient Tool and draw the pointer tool from the start to the end point of the selected path, holding the mouse button.

With this action we have quickly transformed a uniform path into variable width path of the shape that we need.

Step 3

Apply the Gradient Across Stroke to the path, which consists of two black and one dark gray slider.

You can read full version of this article on AstuteGraphics.com....