Illustrator Tutorial: How to distribute different objects along the circle

In today's tutorial we will learn how to distribute various objects along the circle. This is a rather usual problem, let us recollect the face of a clock or the signs of zodiac. This technique was developed by my friend Igor Tchernitsyn.

Step 1

There are multiple objects to be distributed along the circle.

Save each object as a new symbol in the Symbols panel.

Step 2

Remove all the objects except the one from the current document.

Move the object to the side, holding down Shift + Option / Alt, which will result in its duplication.

Step 3

Select both objects, then go to Object > Bland > Make or use Cmd / Ctrl + Opt / Alt + B shortcuts. This will lead to creating a blend object.

Step 4

Using the Ellipse Tool (L) create a circle along which the objects will be located.

Select the blend object and the circle, then go to Object > Bland > Replace Spine.

Step 5

In order to distribute the object along the entire circle, take the Scissors Tool (C) and cut the circle at point A.

You can also locate objects so that they rotate according to the path. To do this, go to Object > Blend > Blend Options … and select Align to Path. Here you also have to set the number of the Specified path, which corresponds to the number of objects + 1

Proceed to Object > Bland > Expand

Step 6

Now we only need to replace the symbols. Select any of the symbols on the artboard, then select the symbol you want to replace it with in the Symbols panel.

Choose the "Replace Symbol" in the fly-out menu of the Symbols panel.

Thus, you can replace all the symbols. Here, I would like to mention that there are two symbols at the point A, one of which has to be removed.

Using the technique described in this tutorial, you can also distribute raster objects along the circle. Before being stored in the Symbols panel such objects must be necessarily Embed.