Creating a Music Box Part 4

Here is the side that we need to reproduce. This side is like the other sides except that we have a 45 degree angle running up the right side (1). We will need to reproduce this.

We need to first draw a rectangle that is 3.25 inches wide by 2.5 inches tall (1).

We need to place our rectangle at the top left hand corner. To do this open up the Transformation Docker. Make sure that Relative Position is unchecked (1). Select our Left hand anchor (selection handle) (2). Place in 0 for your H and 4 for your V (3). Next click the Apply button (4). Our rectangle will relocate to the top left hand corner.

We need to add in some guidelines to our setup. Our first guideline needs to be horizontal and needs to be placed at the 3.75 inch mark (4 -.25 = 3.75

We now need to conniver the rectangle to curves. This is because the image is a special image and needs to be converted to curves so that we can manipulate the nodes on the rectangle. Go to ARRANGE (1) CONVERT TO CURVES (2).

Set your snap to “Snap to Objects”. Go to View (1) Snap to Objects (2)

We need the manipulate the nodes on the rectangle that we created so that it looks like our original shape. We do this by dragging or adding nodes to our design. In this example we will need to add a node and move nodes around.

With the shape tool selected our mouse turns into a big triangle. Click on the rectangle that we created. The rectangle will become selected.

When you move the cursor over the rectangle you will notice that it changes a couple of times in terms of the mouse. When we are working on a segment we want the triangle to have the line that is curved (1) Next we need to add a node so that we can change our shape.Move the mouse over to the line and double click on the line. This will add a node. Note do not worry where the node is in terms of being on the cross between the guidelines. We can move it later on.

The blue dot indicates the node that I have added (1)

Click and Drag the node so that it intersects with the two crossed guidelines (1).

We are going to drag the node that is located at the top left hand corner. Drag it down so that it located at the point where the two guidelines intersect.

We need to add another node to our line. Double click on the line to add the node (1).

Drag up the node till it is at the intersection of the two guidelines (1). Notice that because we have the snap turned on the software will indicate that it is the edge and the intersection.

The one line on our piece goes at 45 degree. I am going to use a guideline to check the angle of the line and to see if it is right. It is easiest to rotate the guideline. Next place another guideline at the 2.5 inch mark. This is where our line is going at a 45 degree angle upwards (3). Double click on the line so that you see the two sided arrow – yellow box). We can rotate the guideline. We want to rotate the guideline at the intersection of the horizontal guideline and the vertical guideline. To do this requires that we place the anchor point at the 2.5 and 3.75 inch mark (4). You will notice that there is a circle with a dot in the middle. When we rotate the line it will rotate from that point.

Type in 45 degrees to angled the line (1). You can see that our line is right in line with the 45 degree guideline that we created (2).

I have super imposed my original object onto the guidelines so that you can see that the guideline matches up.

To show how you can use an existing design to allow you to draw over top of the original image I have used the original design to easily create the ellipses that I will use to trim out my design. Because the rectangle is exactly in the same location (the original design is on one page and the one – the rectangle is on the next page) all I need to do is to go Ctrl C and than go the page with the rectangle and press Ctrl V to paste the ellipse over the rectangle

The Ellipse size needs to be 2.283 on the H and 1.376 on the V (1)

Position our ellipse at 1.625 H and 1.425 V (1). The arrows point to the center of the ellipse.

Open up the trim docker. Make sure both Source and Target are unchecked. Make sure that the ellipses is selected.

Click on the “Trim” button. Your cursor will turn in to two rectangles one solid and one not. With the ellipse selected we are telling the software that we want to trim the rectangle with the ellipse. Click on the rectangle with the mouse.

Here is our object trimmed. We now need to place in the rectangle cuts.

Now that we have created our shape we need to now create our cut outs. Each one of the cut outs is .25 inches in square. So we need to draw a rectangle that is .25 inches by .25 inches.

Make sure the relative position is unchecked (1). Next we are going to use the top left hand corner for our anchor point (2). Make your copies 0 (3). Type in the coordinates (4) and than click on the Apply button. This will locate the rectangle where you need it.

We are going to duplicate the rectangle downwards to create 3 rectangles. First set your Relative Position to checked (1). Next set the number of Copies to 2 (2). Third set the h as 0 and the V to -5 as we are going down (3).

With the rectangle shapes on the left selected we can duplicate them and move the duplicates over to the right side. Make sure the position menu is open (1). Next check the relative position (2). Make your copies 1 (3). Type in 3 for H – because I want to move over 3 inches with the duplicate (4). Than click on the apply button (5).

I need to square off the bottom. before I can place in the rectangles. To be able to do this requires that I draw a rectangle and weld the two together. Draw a rectangle. Notice that I have used guidelines to help in placing the rectangle. Next in the Transformation docker select the Size Menu (1) My rectangle has to be 1.25 inches wide and at least a value that clears the hump of the oval. In this case I have used .2 inches (2). Click on the Apply button (3)

My rectangle needs to be in the proper position so that I can square off the bottom. You can see from the Transformation docker hat the position is 1.625 by 2.0 (1). I am measuring from the bottom middle anchor point (2).

Make sure that the Shaping Docker is open. Make sure the rectangle is selected. Select the Weld option (1). Click on the Weld button (2). Than you will notice the mouse change to two joined boxes and than click on the original shape (3).

Here is our piece with the rectangles on both sides and the bottom squared off. The image is coming together.

To duplicate the rectangles click on the Position command (1). Select the Relative Position make sure that it is check marked (2). Make your copies 1 (3). Your H and V values need to be 0 and 0 (4). Click on the Apply button (5) and your rectangles will be duplicated over top of the originals. Note: Make sure that you do not deselect the rectangles as it will require to select each one and holding down the shift key to do a multiple selection.

I have opened the rotate command in the Transform docker (1). Type in my rotation which is 90 (2). Click on the apply button (3).

I have selected the 3 rectangles and have located them to their location. It was easiest to use a bottom middle anchor (1). My position numbers are listed (2).

Make sure that the Shaping Docker is Open. Make sure that the 3 rectangles are selected. Select the Trim command (1). Select the Trim button (2). Your cursor will turn into a cursor with a black and white rectangle. Repeat on the other rectangles.

Here is the piece done after we have completed our trim. All we need to do is to add in the circle at the top left.

The last step in creating this piece is to create the circle that is located in the top right had corner. From the original dimensions I have .366 by .366 (1).

Now that the circle is done we need to position it. To do this requires that we open up the position tab (1) in the transformation docker. Make sure that we are using the center handle (2). Our position numbers where placed in the for the H and the V position (3). Click the Apply button (4).

Here is the finished image. There are two sides of this design. To do the other side all we have to do with this piece is to copy the piece and flip it 180 degrees.