Envelopes are objects you can use to reshape other objects, except graphs, guides, or linked objects. You can use one of the built-in envelopes or create your own out of an existing object. The built-in envelopes use warp shapes or a mesh grid as the object. After you apply an envelope, you can edit the original object or the envelope (anchor points), separately, using the Selection and Mesh tools on the Tools panel. In addition, you can specify envelope options to determine how objects are distorted to fit the envelope.
Select one or more objects to reshape.
Make With Warp. Uses a preset warp shape.
Make with Mesh. Uses a rectangle grid.
Make With Top Object. Uses an object as the shape of the envelope. The object needs to be at the top of the stacking order.
Specify the options you want for the envelope type; select the Preview check box to view your changes on the selected object.
Reshape. Select the Selection or Mesh tool, and then drag any anchor points.
Delete Anchor Points. For a mesh grid, select the Selection or Mesh tool, select an anchor point, and then press Delete.
Add Anchor Points. For mesh grid, select the Mesh tool, and then click on the grid.
Click the Object menu, point to Envelope Distort, and then click Envelope Options.
To set options for an object, select one or more objects to reshape.
Anti-Alias. Select to smooth rasterized images when distorted with an envelope.
Preserve Shape Using. Select the option to specify how to rasterized images preserve their shape when distorted by nonrectangular envelopes. Use a clipping mask on the raster image or apply an alpha channel (transparency) to the raster image.
Fidelity. Drag the slider or enter a number to specify how you want to fit the envelope mold.
Distort Appearance. Select to distort appearance attributes along with an object’s shape.
Distort Linear Gradient Fills. Select to distort linear gradients along with an object’s shape.
Distort Pattern Fills. Select to distort pattern fills along with an object’s shape.
Preview. Select to view your changes in the Document window.