This tutorial shows you how to create morphing objects in Adobe Illustrator. It’s a fun effect where overlapping shapes appear to stick together like honey.
1. Draw Circles
Start by drawing several overlapping circles.
You can either keep only the strokes (no fill) or keep only the fill (no strokes).
If you choose strokes only, remember that you’ll need to convert them to shapes later. Otherwise, the stroke weight will scale up or down when you resize the object.
2. Convert Strokes to Shapes
Select all of your circles, then go to:
Object > Path > Outline Stroke
This converts strokes into editable shapes.
If you’re only using filled shapes (with no strokes), you can skip this step.
3. Make a Compound Shape
Open the Pathfinder panel, then choose:
Panel Menu > Make Compound Shape
This combines all of your shapes into one compound object.
4. Apply the Offset Path Effect
Go to:
Effect > Path > Offset Path
Set Offset to 1 mm
Set Joins to Round
This will round out the overlapping areas.
Now, apply the same effect again to stack another layer:
Effect > Path > Offset Path
When Illustrator shows a warning, select Apply New Effect.
This time, set Offset to -1 mm
Keep Joins set to Round
Adjusting the Effect
- Double-click the shape to fine-tune the circle positions.
- By tweaking the Offset Path values, you can make even distant shapes appear to connect in a sticky, fluid way.
- Try the same technique with text for a messy, ink-blob style effect.
You now have a morphing effect in Illustrator where objects merge together in a smooth, sticky way.
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