Many vector stock sites such as istockphoto require that all paths in your illustration must be closed before submitting. I like to add some fine detail to my vector graphics, a lot of times quickly drawing circles or small texture shapes zoomed in with the pencil tool. Unfortunately all these paths are left open, even though the appear to be closed when zoomed out. Here is a quick fix to close all your open paths:
- Draw details on your illustration, not worrying about open paths
- Use the selection plugin which can be downloaded here. Select all open paths
Which selects all the open paths!
- Use another illustrator script to close all open paths. Make sure all the paths you want to close are selected. Download the script here. (Install the script by unzipping, and putting the files in your illustrator/presets/scripts folder.) Then run the script by navigating to File/Scripts/[Script Name] or by selecting “Other Script” and manually navigating to it.
- This produces closed paths acceptable by all stock vector illustration sites!
Note: If you need to smooth out the connected path, use the Smooth Tool 
(hold down on the Pencil Tool, or undock the Pencil palate). Draw over the section of the path that needs smoothing.
The graphics presented here are very primitive but hopefully you can see the application this technique can have, plus all your illustrations are now stock site friendly!
Edit: I used this technique in the red candles detailed drawing, it definately speeds up my workflow in illustrator.
You can download this seamless pattern and use it in vector illustrations for free!
If anyone has any good links on applying texture to your vectors please leave a comment with a link!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.
Thank you to Track6 for the tips!
You can download this seamless pattern and use it in vector illustrations for free!
How I made it (using AI CS2):
- Start with an art board of known size, I used 6 in. x 6 in.
- Add elements to the left side of the art board, so they overlap the edge.
- Copy the elements that overlap the edge to the other side (Hit Return, Distance = 6 in, Angle = 0.)
- Repeat steps 2 and 3, except across the top and bottom edge (set Angle = -90).
- Fill in the middle of the art board with elements.
- Draw a 6 in. x 6 in. rectangle without stroke or fill (Hold the Alt or Option key with the rectangle tool selected to set the size in AI).
- Use align window with “align to artboard” option to position the rectangle over the edges of the art board.
- Select everything, and use the pathfinder crop command.
- To clean up, draw another rectangle on the side without stroke or fill, and then choose Select/Same/Stroke & Fill, then hit delete.
- Done!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 United States License.
Thank you to Track6 for the tips!
These Animations were created for clients or design contests. Be sure to check out the other Flash Animations if you haven’t already!
Shiny Disco ball oOoOoh