Path Deformer

Path Deformer

Script for Adobe Illustrator

ㅤ

Description

Path Deformer is a powerful Adobe Illustrator script that adds creative randomization to your vector artwork. The script applies controlled distortion to path points and handles, allowing you to quickly generate organic variations and unique effects without tedious manual editing.

ㅤ

This tool is perfect for:

  • Creating hand-drawn or organic looks from clean vector paths.
  • Developing variations of existing artwork.
  • Adding subtle randomness to make paths appear less digital.
  • Experimenting with different distortion levels using the live preview.

ㅤ

Before / After

 

ㅤ

Installation

1. Download the Path Deformer.jsx script file.

2. Place it in your Adobe Illustrator Scripts folder:

⮑ Mac: /Applications/Adobe Illustrator [Version]/Presets/<Language>/Scripts/

⮑ Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [Version]\Presets\<Language>\Scripts\

3. Restart Illustrator if it's already running.

ㅤ

Using the Script

  1. Open your Adobe Illustrator document.
  2. Select one or more vector objects.
  3. Run the script: Go to File > Scripts > Path Deformer.
  4. Adjust the randomization settings in the dialog.
  5. Preview your changes in real-time.
  6. Click OK to apply the distortion or Cancel to revert.

ㅤ

Interface Controls

 

ㅤ

ㅤ

➊ Randomization Amount

  • Slider: Drag to adjust the intensity of distortion.
  • Text Input: Enter a precise numerical value.

ㅤ

Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Up Arrow: Increase value by 1.
  • Down Arrow: Decrease value by 1.
  • Shift + Up Arrow: Increase value by 10.
  • Shift + Down Arrow: Decrease value by 10.

ㅤ

ㅤ

➋ Randomization Type

Dropdown Menu: Choose which path components to randomize: 

  • Randomize anchors only: Only moves the anchor points.
  • Randomize handles only: Only affects the curve handles.
  • Randomize both anchors and handles: Complete randomization.

ㅤ

ㅤ

➌ Preview Checkbox

  • Toggle to see live changes before applying them.
  • Uncheck to view your original paths.

ㅤ

ㅤ

➍ Apply Changes

  • Click OK button to apply the distortion.
  • Click Cancel button to revert.
  • Click ⏼ icon to access the user guide.

ㅤ

How It Works

Path Deformer applies randomized offsets to:

  1. Anchor points: The actual points that define your path.
  2. Direction handles: The controls that determine curve smoothness and shape.

The randomization value determines the maximum possible offset in either direction. Higher values create more dramatic distortion, while lower values produce subtle variations.

ㅤ

ㅤ

➎ Tips for Best Results

  • Start with a low value (5-15) for subtle organic effects.
  • Use higher values (50+) for dramatic distortion and abstract effects.
  • Try different randomization types to achieve different looks.
  • Create multiple variations by running the script multiple times.
  • Apply to simple paths first before attempting complex artwork.
  • Group related paths before applying the effect to maintain design coherence. 

ㅤ

ㅤ

☻ Conclusion

Path Deformer brings the spontaneity of hand-drawn artwork to the precision of Adobe Illustrator. Whether you're looking to add subtle organic touches to your designs or create wildly distorted abstract art, this script provides an intuitive, real-time solution that's both powerful and easy to use.

The addition of keyboard shortcuts makes fine-tuning your distortion effects faster and more precise than ever. With Path Deformer in your toolkit, you can quickly explore creative variations and break free from the rigid perfection of standard vector paths.

ㅤ

ㅤ

Leave a comment

Path Deformer

Version: 1.0.0

Updated:

Download Path Deformer

  • 1.0.0 – Initial release.

    ㅤ

    ㅤ

    Tested on MacOS:

    ㅤ

    • Adobe Illustrator 2023 (27.0)
    • Adobe Illustrator 2024 (28.1)
    • Adobe Illustrator 2025 (29.0)

  • Supported Versions:

    • Compatible with Adobe Illustrator CS6 and later, including Adobe Illustrator CC versions.

    Operating Systems:

    • Works on both macOS and Windows platforms.

  • End User License Agreement (EULA)

    Last Updated: 21.12.2024

    ㅤ

    This End User License Agreement (“Agreement”) is a legal agreement between you (“User” or “Licensee”) and Samolevsky.com (“Licensor”) regarding the use of the Adobe Illustrator scripts (“Software”). By downloading, installing, or using the Software, you agree to be bound by the terms of this Agreement.

    ㅤ

    1. Grant of License

    Licensor grants the User a non-exclusive, non-transferable, and revocable license to use the Software in accordance with this Agreement.

    • Free Software: If the Software is provided for free, you may use it for personal or commercial purposes without payment, subject to the restrictions outlined in this Agreement.
    • Paid Software: If the Software is provided for a fee, you may use it only after payment has been made in full.

    ㅤ

    2. Usage Rights

    You are permitted to:

    • Install and use the Software on devices you own or control.
    • Use the Software in your personal or commercial projects, subject to compliance with this Agreement.

    ㅤ

    3. Restrictions

    You may NOT:

    • Reverse engineer, decompile, or otherwise attempt to discover the source code, underlying ideas, or algorithms of the Software.
    • Reuse, incorporate, or integrate any portion of the Software into any other software, product, or project, except as expressly permitted by the Licensor in writing.
    • Resell, redistribute, or share the Software, whether in its original or modified form, without prior written consent from the Licensor.
    • Claim ownership of the Software or its underlying code.
    • Use the Software in any way that violates applicable laws or regulations.

    ㅤ

    4. Ownership

    The Software and all intellectual property rights therein remain the exclusive property of the Licensor. This Agreement does not transfer ownership of the Software or any intellectual property rights to the User.

    ㅤ

    5. Disclaimer of Warranties

    THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE LICENSOR BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES, OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.

    ㅤ

    6. Limitation of Liability

    To the maximum extent permitted by law, Licensor shall not be liable for any damages, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, arising out of or related to the use or inability to use the Software.

    ㅤ

    7. Termination

    This Agreement is effective until terminated. Licensor may terminate this Agreement immediately if you breach any term of this Agreement. Upon termination, you must cease all use of the Software and destroy any copies in your possession.

    ㅤ

    8. Updates and Support

    Licensor is not obligated to provide updates, support, or maintenance for the Software. However, updates may be provided at the sole discretion of the Licensor.

    ㅤ

    9. Governing Law

    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

    ㅤ

    10. Entire Agreement

    This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and the Licensor concerning the Software and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings regarding such subject matter.

    By using the Software, you acknowledge that you have read this Agreement, understand it, and agree to be bound by its terms.

    ㅤ

    For any questions or concerns regarding this Agreement, please contact us at hello@samolevsky.com

Required Software

Adobe Illustrator

Learn more

Adobe Illustrator is a professional vector graphics software developed by Adobe Inc. It is widely used by designers, illustrators, and artists for creating a variety of digital artwork, including logos, icons, illustrations, typography, and complex design layouts. Illustrator is known for its precision and scalability, allowing users to create high-quality graphics that can be resized without losing clarity. Its features include powerful drawing tools, customizable brushes, advanced typography options, and seamless integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud applications. Illustrator is a go-to tool for creative professionals working on projects for print, web, and multimedia platforms.

  • 🅰 Locating the Scripts Folder

    To install a Path Deformer.jsx script in Adobe Illustrator, you need to place it in the correct directory where Illustrator
can recognize it. Follow these steps to locate the Scripts folder:

    1. MacOS:
      Open Finder and navigate to:
      Applications/Adobe Illustrator <Version>/Presets/<Language>/Scripts.
    2. Windows:
      Open File Explorer and navigate to:
      C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator <Version>\Presets\<Language>\Scripts
    3. Replace <Version> with your Adobe Illustrator version (e.g., 2025).
    4. Replace <Language> with your language folder (e.g., "de_DE" for German, "en_US" for English).

    ㅤ

    🅱 Installing the Script

    1. Copy the Script File: Copy the Path Deformer.jsx file to the Scripts folder located in the path above.
    2. On some systems, you may need administrator permissions to modify the Scripts folder.
    3. Restart Adobe Illustrator: To refresh the scripts menu, close and reopen Adobe Illustrator.

    ㅤ

    Explore our complete guide to mastering Adobe Illustrator scripts.

    1. Open Adobe Illustrator and ensure a document is active.
    2. Go to the top menu bar and select File > Scripts.
    3. If the script is installed in the Scripts folder, it will appear in the dropdown list.
    4. Click the Path Deformer script to run it.
    5. The Path Deformer script will execute, and any dialog boxes or results will appear based on the script’s functionality.

    ☻ Before running any scripts, it’s strongly advised to save your work — especially when working with complex or large documents.

Got questions?

Need help or have an idea to share? We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions, found a bug, have a feature request, or just want to share your feedback, reach out to us—we’re here for you! 

Ask a Qestion

Browse More Scripts

More Adobe Illustrator Scripts
  1. Read more: Select Off-Artboard Objects
    Select Off-Artboard Objects

    Select Off-Artboard Objects

    This script for Adobe Illustrator helps you easily select objects that are either inside or outside the boundaries of your artboards. It's particularly useful for cleaning up designs by finding and managing stray objects outside your active work area.

    Read more
  2. Read more: Create Artboards from Selection
    Create Artboards from Selection

    Create Artboards from Selection

    This advanced Adobe Illustrator script automates the creation of artboards from selected objects. It's designed to streamline your workflow when you need to create multiple artboards based on existing design elements.

    Read more
  3. Read more: Paste to Replace
    Paste to Replace

    Paste to Replace

    The Paste to Replace script for Adobe Illustrator enables users to replace selected objects with clipboard content efficiently. It provides a user-friendly interface with options to maintain the original size, fit proportionally, or stretch to fit.

    Read more

Shop More Creative Assets