FlowingData Forums » Data Visualization

Creating Graphs in Illustrator (Quick Question)

Started 3 years ago by dparks / 3 posts

  1. Hello,

    I've been reading FlowingData for the last six months or so. Wonderful site. I'm hoping posting small technical questions on this forum is acceptable. If not, please send me on my way (with a destination if you know one).

    My question. I'm trying to make my first graph in Illustrator and have run into one snag. The graph is a scatter plot with lines drawn between the data points. By default, illustrator represents the data points as small squares. I've been able to change the colour of these squares, but am wondering how (if) I can change their shape (say, from squares to circles).

    Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I've tried the usual google search, but have had limited success probably because I'm still learning the terminology used by Illustrator. What does illustrator call these little squares?

    Thanks,
    Donovan

  2. Hey dparks,

    Your question is perfectly fine for the forums :). That's what they're here for.

    It looks like there's no straightforward way to change the data point symbols in Illustrator - at least through the graphing functionality. I could be wrong though. It seems weird that there wouldn't.

    To get over this, I personally would create the graph in R, and then save the graphic as a PDF. Then you could open it up in Illustrator to do what you want with it. It's not greatest process, I know, but since Illustrator's primary goal has never been charts and graphs... well... yeah

  3. Hi!

    It does seem possible to change the shape of data points in Illustrator. Adobe has a nice tutorial: http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/illustrator/articles/illcs2at_chart_print.html


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