LXI 26 is the newest version of Vinyl Express LXI signmaking software. LXI 26 is built on an entirely new Graphic user interface (GUI) and comes with exciting new features and functions. It also supports tried-and-true sign design effects like shadows and outlines. In many cases, the new LXI 26 product line makes these more widely available because of the simplified tiers. Most of the vector signmaking tools found in the range-topping LXI RIP 26 version are also available in EXPERT 26, our most-affordable offering. This includes Outlines, which have been a favorite sign design feature for decades. To help you make the transition to the new GUI, let’s take an in-depth look at creating Outline Effects in LXI 26.
Overview: Outlines, Inlines, Smart Bar
As is the case with ‘drop shadow’, the term ‘outlines’ often refers to a range of similar features. In this case, we’re talking about inlines and outlines. Both features are found in the same LXI toolbox, but outlines are much more popular. Outlines are a proven way to add contrast to elements in complex designs, create memorable logos, and add visual impact to things like motorsports graphics.
As we’ve discussed in previous articles about effects like these, the trend in modern graphic design leans toward simplicity. But in vinyl graphics, outlines are often expected and useful. Even in the era of digital printing and wraps, we challenge you to find a current NASCAR design that doesn’t feature outlines on the door number graphic (FIG 1). If you’re going to be successful in signs and graphics, you’re going to need to know how to add outlines - and occasionally inlines - to your designs. Let’s look at the LXI 26 Smart Bar and see how they work.
LXI 26 Smart Bart Outlines Effects
The LXI 26 Smart Bar is an interactive module that presents tools and widgets based on what’s selected in your layout. To add an outline to a text element or shape, click the object to select it. Then, from the top navigation bar, click Transform. Outlines is the first option on the drop-down menu. Click to open the Outlines Smart Bar. The Smart Bar loads the Outlines / Inlines Module. Both options use the same widgets. Let’s walk across the menu to see what’s here and how it works.
Smart Bar widgets: The widgets presented in the Outline menu are Thickness, Passes, Offset, Color Picker, and Corner Options. As noted above, this tool set is offered for both Outline and Inline functions (FIG 2). There is a check box next to each toolbox that activates or deactivates it. Yes, you can check both boxes and apply an outline and an inline to an object, but that’s going to make for a very busy graphic.
When you open the Outline Smart bar, LXI 26 adds a frame to the object with nodes near the frame corner that can be used to interactively and intuitively manage most of these settings. As is the case with other Smart Bar Tool menus, there are two or more ways to apply most of these effects. Clicking and dragging the nodes generates an interactive preview of the changes, and updates the numerical values in the affected widgets (FIG 3).
Thickness: Thickness is the simplest and most visible element of an outline. This determines its width in absolute terms. You can click and drag the round node in the lower right corner to adjust this on the fly, use the small up and down arrows in the thickness window to increase or decrease the numerical value, or just enter the desired value in the thickness window. The downside of using the thickness window in the smart bar, as opposed to the node, is the lack of a running preview. You may have to click Apply at the far right - or click the selected object - to apply and see the changes.
Passes: The value right below thickness is “Outline Passes”. The default value is 1, meaning LXI 26 will add a single outline. If you want to increase this, you can use the up and down arrows or type in a different number - ideally, two - to add an offset between the outline and it’s anchor font.
Offset: When you change the number of Passes from 1 to 2, the adjacent Offset window becomes active (it is grayed out whenever Passes is set to the default). Changing this creates an offset between the font and outline, which can be managed here. You can use the arrow keys or enter a numerical value. You can also edit this on the fly by using the updated nodes - plural - in the main workspace. There are now two vertical nodes, each of which can be dragged to adjust the offset or thickness of the outline (FIG 4).
Color Picker: This is the second simplest of the tools in the Outlines Smart Bar. Click here to change the color of the outline. Note that if you’ve added a pass, this does not change the color of that element. The second pass is literally an offset of negative space - white space - between the object and the outline.
Corner Options: Below the Color Picker is a set of three icons. These are the corner options that manage the corners on the vector outline. The default is ‘Outline Point’. This leaves corners in their sharp, default setting. Clicking to select ‘Outline Clipped’ clips these corners, while leaving the corners of the anchor font or object as they were (FIG 5). Changing it to Outline Round rounds off the corners for a smooth, decorative look.
Inlines: All of the tools above can be applied to inlines as well. If you intend to add an inline to a font, you might want to start with a bold or extra bold font so that the inline is clearly visible in your interactive preview. The same frame and nodes will appear, but sliding the node to the right decreases the applied inline, and effectively thickens the interior negative space, making the inline more discernable. The thickness value in the Inline module determines the thickness of the applied inline. Using the arrows to reduce this value enlarges the negative space, and vice versa (FIG 6).
Mask & Miter Options: All of the widgets listed above appear in the Outline and Inline modules. Next to the Inline module, there is another set of widgets that works with either module. The two icons at the top are Keep Original and Create Mask. Either or both can be checked. Unchecking Keep Original creates an outline from a font or object and discards the original object. The Create Mask option welds all outlines into a single vector object. If you happen to apply the Outlines effect to more than one object at a time, using Create Mask will create separate masks for each object.
The Miter option applies a filter to clipped corners that allows you to determine which corners are clipped based on the angle of the corner (i.e. only corners with angles of 105° or higher will be clipped).
If you choose Keep Original, once you click the object to apply the changes, the outline and anchor object are both selected in your layout. Dragging, resizing, or rotating in this state will be applied to both the object and outline. If you click off the selected pair, then click the original object, you can continue to edit it, including the fill and stroke. If you wish to fix them so that one cannot be selected without the other, just click, then shift-click to select both objects. Then, right-click them, and select Group from the pop-up menu. Once the item and outline are grouped, any changes to the fill and stroke will be applied to both elements.
Save Settings: Finally, next to the mask and miter options, the LXI 26 Smart bar presents a Save Settings widget. This allows you to save and apply your inline or outline settings to future objects. So if you come up with a unique combination of settings you want to apply without having to memorize all of them, just click the floppy disk icon to save your settings. The Save Settings menu will pop up and prompt you to name the new settings (FIG 7). The next time you enter the Outlines Smart Bar, you will be able to click the arrow next to Current Settings, and select your saved parameters. Conversely, if you’ve been checking all the boxes and want to reset everything, just click the same arrow, and select Default.
Outlines - and inlines - have been used by professional sign-makers for decades to create contrast, design logos, and add impact to vinyl vector graphics. They can also be used in digital printing for signage and garment transfers. The tools and widgets in the interactive LXI26 Transform/Outlines smart bar make creating dynamic outline effects quick and easy.
