How to Draw a Wave in Illustrator

Learn how to draw and combine shapes in Illustrator to create a repeating wave pattern. Details below...
Patreon:   / michaelbullo  

0:00 - Intro
What will be built in this video.


0:20 - Shapes to Exact Dimensions
A selected object can be set to an exact size via the Width and Height options within the Properties panel.


1:04 - Aligning Shapes
With multiple shapes selected, the Align section will automatically appear within the Properties panel. Having selected multiple shapes, clicking again on another shape will make it the key object. If a key object is present, alignment of all selected objects will be made relative to that object.


1:49 - Shape Builder Tool
The Shape Builder Tool (Shift + M), can be used to combine selected shapes. Drag over shapes to combine them. Drag over or click on shapes while holding down Alt/Option to remove them from the final combined shape.


2:37 - Corner Widget
To round specific corners, first select them with the Direct Selection Tool. The donut looking icon that appears near the corner can be dragged to round the corner.


3:50 - Transform as an Effect
The Transform effect allows for the non-destructive moving, scaling and rotating of an object. This effect can also be used to generate copies of the artwork it is applied to.

Effect - Distort & Transform - Transform


6:05 - Convert Effects to Artwork
Copies applied to an object using the Transform effect can be converted into actual artwork via the following menu option...

Object - Expand Appearance