Home ⁄ How to Draw a Celtic Knot in a Circle TUTORIAL

How to Draw a Celtic Knot in a Circle TUTORIAL

In 2 related posts over the next week I want to look at ways of decision-making how apartment 2nd objects appear to overlap in vector graphics.

Below is an example of a Celtic Knot blueprint – notice how the diverse bands 'thread' through eachother. The circle motif in the centre passes infront of and behand each arm of the second triangular motif. Clearly, this would be impossible to achieve with 2 separate, flat, graphics as layer hierarchy only allows for an object to be either infront of or behind another object – there is no option to 'thread' back and forth.

In a 2nd post I will expect at achieving a similar effect with Live Paint merely for now allow's see how we tin can utilize the Shape Builder Tool. I've included a quick step-past-step guide to create the graphic as you see it here but the important take-abroad is the principle of how the tools are used.

creating a celtic know with the shape builder in illustrator

Allow'southward outset with the Ellipse Tool and instead of click-dragging out a shape simply click in the middle of the document – this brings up a dialgue box so we can enter numeric values. Set width and height to 70mm.

create a precise elipse in illustrator

Now repeat the process to draw a second circle. This fourth dimension we demand to position the cursor over the bottom node of the first circle and hold down Alt/Opt when we click – this will insert the circle with the cursor postion at its centre-point rather than the top-left. Prepare the width/tiptop to 90mm.
I've set the fills to none then we tin can come across the outline of both circles. The centre-betoken of the larger circumvolve should be aligned to the bottom-centre of the smaller circle.

blog pic 260

The upper role of the larger circle will course ane function of the triangular knot shape – I found it easier to draw circles and and then use the intersecting arcs to create the concluding shape. We need two more circles evenly spaced around the key (smaller) circumvolve.

With only the bottom circumvolve selected choose the Rotate Tool and Alt/Opt+Click in the eye of the smaller circle – this sets the eye of rotation. Set the Bending to 120° and click copy.

set reference point for rotation in illustrator

You lot should accept a 2d circle to a higher place and to the right of the showtime. Now striking Ctrl/Cmd+D or go to Object>Transform>Transform Again to repeat the concluding transform function – this duplicates our new circle using the same rotation function. You should now have all the necessary parts in place (every bit below).

duplicate shape with transform again in illustrator

At present change the Stroke Weight to 18pt to thicken up the lines. In lodge to apply the Shape Architect Tool we need to piece of work with paths rather than strokes – go to Object>Paths>Outline Stroke to catechumen our strokes to paths.

object path outline stroke to convert strokes to paths

Hit the "D" key to set the default White Fill/Black Stroke – now change the Stroke Weight to 6pt.

set default white fill and black stroke in illustrator

Now, with the whole shape selected, choose the Shape Builder Tool. When you mouse-over the various intersections you will see cross-hatching appear.

illustrator shape builder tool

Click on any department to add this equally an individual shape.
Alt/Opt+click will delete a section.
Draw through two or more sections to join them together.

Commencement past deleting the outer arc of each of the larger circles then work through the shape joining together the various sections as needed. Pay attention to where each piece 'threads' through the other and whether it sits in front or behind.

overlapping shapes with the shape builder tool in illustrator

The Shape Builder Tool is ideal for creating this blazon of graphic – by overlapping bones forms and using Shape Builder to add, join or delete you should be able to create very intricate designs. If Celtic Knots are your thing you've now got everything you demand – so become knotting!