Adobe has once again added to its extensive tool kit. Introducing the Intertwine feature in Illustrator, which lets you layer and interconnect elements non-destructively.
This tool allows you to edit pictures at the click of a button, changing layering without unnecessary copy and pasting or adding new layers. Here’s how to use it.
What is the Intertwine feature of Adobe Illustrator?
Adobe released the Intertwine feature in October 2022. What does interconnectivity mean to your digital designs? You can add multiple layers that blend into and into each other.
This can be a great feature to incorporate pictorial elements with typography. For example, flowers can grow and weave in and out of letters. But there are an infinite number of other ways to use this tool.
Previously the only way to achieve this technique was to remove parts of the path, or combine multiple layers of parts of the image to give the illusion of woven elements. This is not only time consuming, but it is also destructive.
Destructive vs Non-destructive Editing
Destructive editing means that your image is permanently affected by the editing changes you are using to make. The only way to “save” a destructively edited piece is to save multiple copies of it or create duplicate layers as a backup. Both take extra time, slow down your system, and rely on you to do it.
A destructive editing method allows you to change your mind and go back to the original without negative consequences. You can use the Intertwine feature—which hides parts of the illustration—and easily remove or replace it when needed. Non-destructive editing is both a time-saver and a stress-reliever.
Read our guide to creating editable offset text in Illustrator—this technique is also non-destructive.
How to Use Illustrator’s Intertwine Feature
A common use of woven images is to interweave typography with other elements. You can combine your text with natural images like flowers or forest scenes, or you can even use another typed design unlike before. But you can also interlock illustrated objects. Intertwining everything you’re into is easy with the new Intertwine feature.
Create and compose objects to interlock
As mentioned, you can use text or pictorial elements with the Intertwin feature. One big advantage is that you don’t need to outline your text.
For our example, we’ll combine two different text phrases—keeping them both as editable text boxes—and add an illustrated flower. Find out how we created a flower vector using Procreate and Adobe Illustrator.
Once you’ve created your two (or more) objects, compose them to overlap in a way that looks good. Think about the areas you will interconnect and how you will connect or overlap items.
Expand and interweave
If you have a color filled image as part of your selected elements, you may need to expand it to work with the Intertwine feature.
To expand, select the object and go to Object > Expand (you may need to do this more than once), then right-click the selection and choose Ungroup. You should be able to tell the line’s working by the colors to check that it’s working.
Using the Selection Tool (V), click and drag your cursor over all the objects to select them. Once selected, go to Object > Intertwine > Make. Your cursor changes to a lasso icon. Do not change equipment.
Select areas to join
Create a closed selection on the areas of the object you want to move under the second layer. If you only have two objects in the selection, the intertwining will happen automatically as with a full selection.
If you have more than two objects in your selection, after you close the selection, move your cursor over the selected area until the element you want to move is highlighted in blue. Right-click the highlighted area to choose one of four options: Bring to Front; bring forward; send Backward; send back
Further editing or release of interconnected elements
To continue intertwining after changing tools, go to Object > Intertwine > Edit and select the areas as before. Since the Intertwine tool is non-destructive, it should be easy to remove intertwined edits.
With the objects selected, go to Object > Intertwine > Release. This immediately sets the objects to their original layered position.
Layer non-destructively in Illustrator
With Adobe’s helpful Intertwine tool, you can save time by layering and intertwining your images non-destructively. Non-destructive access also allows you to add live text boxes without creating outlines. The Intertwine feature is quick, easy and forgiving. Now you can add more dimension to your illustrated work.
