Illustrator Adding mesh to an irregular shape....

[jimbofoxman]

Gonna start with I am a relative newbie to this. Done some stuff on simpler shapes without issue. Below is the shape, it's a F and a G pushed together. The two areas I want to specifically address are the top of the F and the bottom foot of the G.

On the top hook of the F I want it to be all green. On the bottom foot of the G I want it to be all purple. When I add a mesh point I start getting all these super squiggly mesh lines. How do I attack something like this shape? THANKS

 

[jimbofoxman]

Here is the image with just one mesh point inserted...

 

[hawkeye]

Maybe this example will give you an idea.

I wanted to shade the half circles but adding a mesh directly doesn't work correctly. (Top Image)

I duplicated the object and placed it on top and then used the mesh tool on that object. (Bottom Image)

In your case you can duplicate just the top section of the letter F and fill it any way you like. Then do the same with the bottom leg of the G.

 

[SPWA]

My tip for meshing an irregular shape would be, to always start with a rectangular mesh, then move the points to fit over your original shape. You may need to do this in multiple blocks, but I do think you will find this the easiest way.

The main reason is, the mesh tool doesn't like meshing irregular shapes. But has no problems being manipulated from a rectangle.

This tutorial really helped me get to grips with it, and will explain in more depth what I mean meshing.

 

[hawkeye]

Good tutorial, but it left out one very important point. Unlike in preview mode, when you are in outline mode, you can only add a mesh point to an existing line. (Top Image)

In his example going into outline mode and then clicking in the center of the rectangle will not add a mesh line. Instead you will see a little circle with a diagonal line through it, indicating you cannot add a point.

You will not see a plus sign allowing you to add a point or a line until you move over an existing line. In this case one of the outside lines. (Lower image)