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- Vector graphics can have a crisp, often stark appearance. Often you will wish to add some subtle texture to the colored backdrops behind your images. To use a background texture, first Google illustrator background texture and find/download a suitable texture.
- Try: http://www.arsgrafik.com/vector-art-grunge-texture/
- In your Illustrator document, click on the background image on which you would like to apply your texture. (Shown to the right)[Premium Content - Login] [Membership Options]
- Open the Transparency window by navigating to Window>Transparency. If thumbnails are not visible, click on “Show Thumbnails” in the flyout menu.
- Now, from the flyout menu, select “Make Opacity Mask”
- The Opacity Mask thumbnail will show up in the Transparency window. Click on it and then navigate to File>Place.
- Select your texture and click “Place”
- Uncheck the “Clip” check box and adjust the transparency of the opacity mask until it looks as you wish. (See example to the right)[Premium Content - Login] [Membership Options]
- You may also adjust the size & orientation of the placed texture as you would with any vector object.
