FILTERiT4: Everyday Effects for Real Illustrator Users

In a world where plug-ins too often focus on once-in-a-blue-moon effects, FilterIt4 stands out for it everyday utility.
Written by Ben Long on August 15, 2001

Related Reading

Live Frame Similar to Live Circle, Live Frame creates a rectangular frame using the selected object. In addition to providing control of the size and shape of the frame, Live Frame lets you specify how the edges of the frame will intersect with the corners, and lets you specify separate objects to be used in the corners of the frame. Finally, as with Live Circle, Live Frame lets you control how the source object will be rotated and oriented throughout along the path of the frame.

Live Reflections Live Reflections simply creates a reflection of the selected object, just as you would create with Illustrator's Reflect tool. However, the effect lets you create multiple reflections with full control over reflection axis and rotation, making it possible to create complex symmetrical shapes from a single object.

FILTERiT provides a number of filters that let you easily create and distribute copies of the selected object. In a sense, these filters are kind of like "particle" effects" filters that you might find in an animation or 3D package.

Live Trail This effect automatically creates copies of an object, fading each successive copy to create a "motion blur" like trail (see below). In addition to specifying the number of copies and the final tint (Live Trail automatically blends between the original shape and the final tint) you can specify the horizontal and vertical size of the final copy as well as the direction of the trail. Unfortunately, Live Trail doesn't let you draw your own trail path. Rather, you have to use a complex combination of the Angle and Size parameters to create the path. Though this feature is well implemented, we'd prefer the ability to draw a path by hand and select it as our trail.

Live Generation Generation is similar to the Live Trail filter, but it always creates a spiral trail.

Live Tiling This effect automatically creates copies of the selected object and distributes them in a grid pattern. In addition to specifying the number of rows and columns in the grid, you can also control the scaling of the objects, along with the rotation and orientation of the copies throughout the grid.

Finally, you can use Live Galaxy and Live Explosion to create complex patterns based on a simple object.

Live Explosion This effect copies the selected object in a random radially-spread pattern (see below) and provides controls for number of objects, object scaling, and radius size.

Live Galaxy Providing controls similar to those of Live Explosion, Live Galaxy distributes copies of an object in more complex, galaxy-like distribution.

1

FilterIt4

You forgot to mention the trace and out and back tools with the shape distortion tools in the tool menu. Lets say you select 8 steps out and back and trace and release to layers (command unclick) it will create 17 shapes 8 out and 8 back and the original. Why is this useful, you can export the layers to photoshop 5 and then bring them into LiveMotion and create an animated object from the layers. Very useful, Dan

2

On Target Review

I use Filterit4 quite often and fine it a most useful plugin.

3

Misleading '3D' Tool

i'll agree that FilterIt4 has enough new features over FilterIt3 to warrant upgrading, but as the article points out, the 3D Tool isn't what you would think it is based on its name and the somewhat skimpy information available in the advertisment i received in the mail and that which is on their web site. i was kind of disappointed in FilterIt4 for this reason. many of these special effects filters really aren't that useful unless you've got a lot of free time to figure them out and find a use for them. had the 3D Tool extruded shapes and contained the lighting and shading capability that its name implies, i would have been much happier.

too sum it up, if you want a true 3D plug-in that has these capabilities and does almost as good a job as Dimensions for a lot less cost, go with KPT's Vector Effects.

4

Three Cheers for.....Filterit4!

A week ago I learned of this Filterit 4 plug-in and have been using the demo version for the past 5 days. It has proven to be such a time-saver, plus with opportunity to discover, tweek, and experiment with some of the new tool's effects.

Thanks so much to those who worked very hard in putting together a great plug-in for Illustrator.

Great Job you guys and thanks again!

Best regards,
Drew

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