Symbol Sprayer and Symbolism Tools

The symbol sprayer tool in Illustrator is baffling at first - but it is the tool to use to create interesting random patterns and textures.

In this tutorial you will learn how to use the symbol sprayer to maximum effect, to create a floral border for a birthday invite.

1. Look for that spray can icon on your toolbox, the Symbol Sprayer Tool

2. Draw a small graphic. I made my flower using brush patterns. You're welcome to it- flower illustrator file

3. Select the graphic and drag it into the empty area in the symbols panel.

4. If all has gone well, you will now see the graphic inside the symbol panel.

5. Use these settings : Diameter: 100% Intensity: 5 Symbol Set Density: 5

6. Draw a curvy path with the tool- notice that the tool is pressure sensitive- the longer you leave the airbrush in the same position, the more symbols it 'sprays' out

7. You have created a random pattern using the symbol. But it looks too even- let's see how we can make it more random…

8. Now select the Symbol Sizer Tool.

9. Make sure the symbol set (group) is selected as shown:

10. Place the brush over an instance of the symbol, in the center. Only the symbols under the brush circumference will be affected, so if its too large or small, resize the brush using { and }:

11. Click a few times to slowly increase the size. Best do it click by click- holding the mouse button down will give you very big increases!

12. Repeat the process, making some random symbols larger.

13. To make symbols smaller, hold down the Alt key- this 'reverses' the tool.

14. Now we want to change the rotation so the uniform symbols appear more naturally random. Select Symbol Spinner Tool from the flyout:

15. When you click on a symbol, a blue arrow appears - hold down the mouse button and rotate this arrow to change the angle of rotation. Again, only the symbols under the brush will be affected.

16. Some semi transparent symbols would be good- select the Symbol Screener Tool for this.

17. This one works the same as the others- click to gradually lower the image opacity- and hold down ALTt to reverse the effect if you need to.

18. To 'tint' some of the instances, select the Symbol Stainer Tool as shown below:

19. Select a fill colour- the brighter the better - and click to add tints. Change the fill colour as you go along.

20. The completed border.

What else is in the menu?

To bring some of the symbols to the front, use the Symbol Shifter Tool

To move items away from the cursor (brush diameter) use the Symbol Scruncher Tool

remember to use ALt for the reverse effect!