In this tutorial, we will look at how to create shapes using the Multi-Line Tool.

We will draw a flat screen TV and console.

You can click to the right to see the final image, or scroll to the bottom to download the iStudio Publisher file.

Setup

Step 1

Open iStudio Publisher.

On the new document dialog, select a page size that will give you plenty of working space (US Letter size).

Set the Pages setting to 1 (to create a one page document).

Optionally, you may prefer to remove the margins by setting them all to zero, as they aren't needed in this tutorial.

Click the Create button, to create a new document.

If you don’t see the margins settings, click on More Options. If you don’t see More Options, you need to upgrade to 1.0.5, which is free and available from here.

Step 2

Choose Window > Full Screen Layout (or keyboard shortcut cmd + alt + zero) to fill your screen with your main document window, Inspectors panel and Colors panel.

If you’re like me and like to have your page in the middle of your screen, simply click on the Zoom to page icon on the bottom left of your window.

Step 3

We will use the grid to help with shape positioning and alignment.

Select the following grid related toolbar buttons, as also shown right.

• Normal Working Mode (otherwise, in Preview Mode, the grid isn't displayed)
• Snap to Grid
• Show Grid
  

Go to the Document inspector and click the Grid tab. Set the Vertical Spacing to 0.25” and Horizontal Spacing to 0.25”, as shown right.

If you are working in mm, set these grid spacings to 5mm.

To change the measurement units you are working in, click on the units square at the top left of the rulers.

Step 4

Select the Multi-Line Tool to open its heads-up display (HUD), shown right.

You can use the HUD to view and select the Line Type of the current line segment you are drawing and its Alignment with the previous segment.

Current HUD selections are highlighted in orange.

Click on the HUD buttons to make your selections. Shortcut keys 1-7, T, N, H and V are provided as an alternative selection method.

Let's get drawing!

Step 5

First, the games console and we'll start by drawing its top edge.

Select the Straight Line type, by clicking it in the HUD (or pressing 1 on your keyboard).

Click on your page, move your mouse along 10 grid divisions and click again to draw the first line segment, as shown right.

Step 6

Click the 90º Fillet line type (or press 2) to select it.

Go back to the shape, move down and right one grid space each and click again, to create the top right hand corner radius.

Step 7

Click the Straight Line type (or press 1).

Go back to the shape, move down one grid space and click again, to draw the right hand side of the console.

Step 8

Continue to construct the rest of the console shape from a mixture of 90º Fillets and Straight Lines.

As you draw the final corner radius, notice that mouse text "Double-click to Close" is displayed as you move the mouse near to the first control point, as shown.

Step 9

Double click on the first control point to finish drawing the shape. This closes the shape by joining the first and last line segments to the same control point.

The shape is automatically selected with the Pointer Tool, ready for further editing.

Step 10

Now for some line and fill editing.

Using the Line Inspector, deselect the Line checkbox to remove the shape's default black outline.

At the Fill Inspector, select the Fill checkbox and Gradient Color radio button.

Make the first gradient color black and the second a grey color and set the blend angle to 90º, as shown.

Step 11

Next, we’ll create the CD tray.

Start by selecting the existing console shape. Choose Edit > Duplicate (or keyboard shortcut Command-D) to duplicate it.

Using the Fill Inspector, select the Solid Color radio button and set the fill color.

Reduce the size of this new shape to 5 grid divisions wide by 1 high, by dragging its blue corner handle.

Position the CD tray on the games console, as shown.

Step 12

Now for the coloured buttons. Each button is made up of two circles.

Click the circle in the Shape Library and draw the first circle one grid space high and one wide.

Give it a nice vibrant green solid color fill.

Step 13

Duplicate the circle.

Go to the Shape Inspector and click the Size and Location tab. Reduce the width and height of the duplicated circle from 0.25" to 0.2" (5mm to 4mm).

Apply a gradient color fill from the same green to white, with the white rotated uppermost, as shown.

Step 14

Next, we will arrange the two circles concentrically, by aligning their centres horizontally and vertically.

Select both circles. (Shift-clicking on a shape provides a convenient way to add/remove it from the current selection.)

Choose Arrange > Align Shapes > Centre, followed by Arrange > Align Shapes > Middle.

Alternatively, you can use the alignment buttons on the toolbar.

Drag the green button into position on the console, as shown.

Step 15

Duplicate the green button to provide a starting point for the red button.

Change the fill color of both red button circles, replacing the green with red.

Realign the red circles and drag them into approximate position. With Snap to Grid enabled, you can only drag to the red button to the grid divisions. Good news!... you can use the keyboard arrow keys to "nudge" the red button into its final position.

Step 16

Use the Multi-Line Tool to create the TV screen's outer casing, using the same techniques as from Step 5 onwards.

The top line is 25 grid divisions wide.

Once you have created the outline shape of the TV, give it a gradient color fill, as we did for the console.

Step 17

Use the Multi-Line Tool to draw the TV stand from a mixture of 90º Fillets and Straight Lines.

Step 18

Wait a minute, what’s this? That's not right!

Have a look at the alignment options on the Multi-Line Tool's HUD.

The T stands for Tangent, which causes the 90º Fillet to set off in either the same as or opposite direction to the previous Straight line segment, as shown.

Step 19

Click on N on the HUD, or press N on your keyboard. (N stands for Normal by the way!)

That’s better! The 90º Fillet now sets off at a right angle to the previous Straight line segment, as shown.

Step 20

Finish drawing the TV stand, as shown.

Step 21

Apply a gradient color fill to the TV stand, using colors that match the top and bottom of the TV screen's outer casing.

You can apply a matching color by clicking the color picker magnifying glass on the Colors panel (to select it) and then clicking anywhere on your screen.

Step 22

Use the Multi-Line tool to create the TV screen surround.

Remove the line and give this shape a white solid color fill with an opacity setting of 50%.

Step 23

Use the Multi-Line tool to draw the TV screen.

Go to the Line Inspector and create a 5pt outline in a dark grey.

Select a gradient color fill, from blue to white, and change the gradient type to Radial (from Linear).

Step 24

The TV power-on button is created in the same way as the console buttons.

Select the green console button, duplicate it and change the green fill color to blue on both circles.

Position the blue button, as shown.

And that's a wrap!

Hopefully I've shown you how easy it is to create items within iStudio Publisher.

You can download a copy of the iStudio Publisher file here and have a go at improving it. Why not add an image into the TV too?

We would love to hear how you get on and see the results!