Souped Up Super Step And Repeat

Version: 4.1
Operating systems: Macintosh, Windows

Super Step And Repeat is a cool new XTension included with the QuarkXPress 4.1 update. While QuarkXPress already has a Step And Repeat command, this new one lets you quickly and easily duplicate items, while simultaneously specifying transformations to them. Used in conjunction with other QuarkXPress features, such as the Merge commands, the Super Step And Repeat command increases your ability to create more complex graphics like the flower shown in Figure A. In this exercise, we’ll give you a run-through on how to use the features in the Super Step & Repeat dialog box, as well as give you the ins and outs of its features.

Figure A: Super Step And Repeat increases the native graphic capabilities of QuarkXPress.

Using The Super Step

We’ll show you how we quickly created the pistil for the flower. To follow along, use the Bézier Line tool to draw a squiggly line on the pasteboard, and then set its width to 2 points. To do this, select the line with the Item tool and choose 2 pt from the Weight pulldown menu on the Measurements palette. Now that you have a base shape, paste a copy of the line onto the document. Like several other QuarkXPress commands, the Super Step And Repeat can’t be undone. If you’re unhappy with the results, you’ll just have to delete it and start again. Your original line shouldn’t get deleted, but it frequently happens accidentally. That’s why it’s best to keep a copy of your original shape away from the action. Now, use the Item tool to select an end point on the line, and then choose Item > Super Step And Repeat to display the Super Step & Repeat dialog box, as shown in Figure B. In the Repeat Count text box, specify how many times you want the line to be duplicated. As you can see we entered 20, but you can enter a number as high as 100. Next, notice the Horizontal Offset and Vertical Offset text boxes that are used to specify where copies are placed relative to the original item. In the case of this graphic, leave both settings at 0.

Figure B: The Super Step & Repeat dialog box is your transformation center.

Note: When you do need to use the Offset text box, keep in mind that a negative value places copies to the left (or above for Vertical Offset) of the original, while a positive value places copies to the right (or below) it.

The next setting is Angle. To create the complete circle effect, you need to divide 360 degrees by the number of lines you specified. In our case, we entered 18 (360 divided by 20 equals 18) in the Angle text box. Now, enter 2 pt in the End Line Width text box, and choose Selected Point from the Rotate & Scale Relative To pulldown menu. Click OK and you’ve instantly created a radial design.

If the warning box shown in Figure C appears, you’ll need to make some adjustments. All duplicate items must be able to be contained inside the current page’s pasteboard. To correct the problem, you must either scale the object you’re trying to reproduce, reduce the number of duplicates you’re creating, or modify the Offset values.

Figure C: Your final object must fit within the pasteboard or you’ll receive this warning.

Transformation Station

During the walk-through, you can see how transforming items while you’re duplicating them is a powerful new design feature. Each transform setting is applied progressively. When you enter a transform setting such as Angle, it will be applied progressively across the duplicate items. The first duplicated item will be rotated 18 degrees from the original item; the second duplicated item will be rotated 18 degrees from the first duplicate, and so forth. The rotation is always counterclockwise from the original item. Since the angle transformation is progressive, you won’t be able to create 10 picture boxes in a row all at a 10-degree angle with the Super Step And Repeat command. To do something like this, you’ll need to rotate the picture box first and then leave the Angle setting blank in the Super Step & Repeat dialog box. You can also decrease or increase the thickness of lines incrementally. By entering a point value in the End Line Width text box, you specify the thickness of the line for the final duplicated picture box, text box, text path, or line. (Note: this text box name changes depending on what’s selected.) Each intermediate copy becomes incrementally thicker or thinner between the original and final item. In our example in Figure D, the original line is 8 points. If you specify a Repeat Count of 20 and an End Line Width of 1 point, Super Step And Repeat produces all the intermediate point sizes between 8 and 1.

Figure D: You can incrementally adjust the line and frame weight.

Shades of Color

Another neat effect is the ability to adjust the tint of an object incrementally from 1 to 100 percent with the End Box Shade text box. By specifying the background color shade in the final duplicated box or the line color, each intermediate box background or line is shaded in even increments between the original and final duplicated item, as shown in Figure E. No change occurs in white boxes or lines. If you’re duplicating a box that has a blended background, the End Box Shade 2 text box is enabled. Enter a value between 1 and 100 percent in the End Box Shade 2 text box to specify the second background shade for the blend in the final duplicated box. Each intermediate box background is shaded in even increments between the original and final box. If you’re duplicating a text path or line that uses a line style with multiple dashes or stripes, the End Gap Shade text box needs to be enabled. Enter a value between 1and 100 percent in the End Gap Shade text box to specify the gap color shade in the final duplicated line. Each intermediate line gap is shaded in even increments between the original and final line.

Figure E: You can vary the shade of objects as you duplicate them.

Scaling the Path

You can also skew and scale items. By entering a value between 1 and 1000 percent in the End Item Scale text box, you can specify the scale of the final duplicated picture box, text box, text path, or line. Each intermediate item is scaled in even increments between the original and final item. Since frames don’t scale automatically, you’ll need to enter a setting in the End Frame Width text box to scale the frame. If you want the contents of your boxes to scale, you must select the Scale Contents check box. This will confine your image text to inside the duplicated boxes. Choose an item from the Rotate & Scale Relative To pulldpown menu to specify the point around which rotation or scaling will take place for the item.
Skewing works just about the same way. If you’re duplicating a box, enter a value in degrees in the End Item Skew text box to specify the skew or slant of the final duplicated box. Like the other settings, this occurs incrementally from the original to the last duplicate, as shown in Figure F. The picture or text contents of each box will also be skewed by the same amount.

Figure F: You can skew boxes and their contents for unique effects.

Wrapping Up

With each new update, QuarkXPress gets increasingly graphics friendly. It will never replace dedicated illustration programs like Adobe Illustrator, but it’s nice to have the convenience of more graphics tools. It’s easy to see how cool you’ll find the new Super Step And Repeat command. Now you can make all kinds of amazing effects right in QuarkXPress.


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