I have a cardboard cut-out of something I want to create.
http://38.99.165.179/kalle/vector.png
I've taken a picture and made a vector outline that I'm satisfied with.
http://38.99.165.179/kalle/vector2.png
Now to get those holes, there's a variety of ways to do it... but I want accuracy, so does anyone have a suggestion how to pull it off?
Methods to achieve the evenly spaced holes inside the piece?
1 - SLOPPY - Draw each segment by hand, using photo as a background reference.
2 - SLOPPY - Draw a rounded corner rectangle then duplicate/scale/edit it for each segment.
3 - SLOPPY - Bring prepared photo in and use Illustrator's LiveTrace feature to convert the shapes into vector. I tried, with variations. Have to tweak each individual segment after.
4 - PREFERRED - Somehow tell the computer to generate X number of objects along Y path, making them smaller and smaller.
Using Illustrator, Method 4 can ALMOST be done in a number of ways...
4a-Make a rounded corner rectangle, duplicate it off in a straight row, group them together, then use something like Warp.
4b-Make a rounded corner rectangle, duplicate it off in a straight row, group the together, then use 3d extrude & rotate and extract the results.
4c-Make a rounded corner rectangle, use Transform and replicate it X times and adjust horizontal/vertical positioning and scale.
I like 4c but still not close. How can I restrict it to be along a pre-determined path (an arc)? Like text-on-path tool, but with shapes, and scaling down progressively like a warp.
Anyone have any advice?
I need/want precision because this is a part that will be cut out of a CNC machine for something that'll be at a tradeshow.
