lattice

[melchache]

can anyone PLEASE tell me how to make a lattice aperture on the front of a card with my ecal and eclips?

[ptpulley]

Well, I don't use ECAL, but I understand it is almost the same as SCAL3, so here's what I know:

I can't figure out how to use the lattice feature in the software, and then get the program to recognize the result as an open object. It still seems to 'see' it as a solid object, so when you union it into an open aperture, it loses the lattice effect. Here's what I do-

Make the rectangle for the card front, and then put on an object the size and shape you want cut out. Highlight both items, and go path, exclude. Now you have the open aperture. Then select a rectangle, and make it as wide and narrow as the lattice strips you might want. Copy the item, paste multiple times and place them across the open aperture, making sure both ends cover the hole. make another copy, rotate it to the position you like, then copy it and paste several times to get the other items at the same angle. Place across the hole. I did a very rough example; you would want to zoom in and position the strips exactly. When you're happy with the placement, highlight around all items, including the card base, and go path, union. Second picture shows the result.