Different uses for the tilde key in Adobe Illustrator

Oct 17

In Adobe Illustrator, the tilde key (~) in Adobe Illustrator is a powerful tool that creates engaging effects, especially when combined with the Line and Shape Tools. It allows you to duplicate and transform shapes in creative ways.

To use it, select the shape or line you want.

To use it, select the shape or line you want, then hold down the tilde key while moving your cursor across the canvas. There’s no need to follow a specific pattern, and the result will be a dynamic, repeated effect.

If you're using the Shape Tool, an extra step is required. If you unselect the shape, it may appear solid.

To prevent this, select the shape and go to Pathfinder > Exclude to achieve a more complex design.

Speed influences the outcome. Drawing quickly results in larger, more defined effects, while slower movements create more intricate, detailed looks.

The polygon shape, for example, offers unique effects when drawn clockwise versus counterclockwise.

Simply pulling out in a straight line can provide a simple but repeated look.

The tilde key behaves differently when used with the Line Tool, where no Pathfinder adjustments are necessary to distinguish the lines.

With the Spiral Tool, it generates diverse patterns, whether you're pulling outward or alternating between clockwise and counterclockwise movements.