INFOGRAPHIC SERIES - Firecrackers & Fireworks

Happy 4th of July! Create some firecrackers and fireworks to celebrate. 

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Start with a rectangle, heavy stroke, no fill

Add an Arc and add rounded end caps in the Stroke panel to "hot dog" the ends. 

Create a line at a 45° angle.

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OPTION + CLICK and drag the line, then use COMMAND + D to repeat the duplication process. Select all the lines and group them, then CUT them. 

Select the rectangle, choose Draw Inside Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. 

PASTE the grouped set of lines into the shape. Select the Draw Normal Mode to exit Draw Inside Mode. 

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I use asterisks to create the sparkly effect. Type several different ones, use different fonts to get the style you want. Select all of them and chose Type>Create  Outlines.

Mix and match the asterisks to create a sparkly lit effect. 

To create the rocket, create a rectangle and use the Polygon Tool to create a triangle. 

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Select the rectangle, choose Draw Inside Mode at the bottom of the Tool Bar. ​PASTE the grouped set of lines into the shape. Select the Draw Normal Mode to exit Draw Inside Mode. ​

Add a line for the stick.

Copy the arc and sparklies from the first firecracker and use them on the rocket. 

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For the Sparkler, create a rounded rectangle and pull the corner widgets in to create rounded ends. Add a line for the stick. 

Add some multi-colored sparklies to the tip and you have a Sparkler. 

Copy and paste the body from the first firecracker. 

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Add lines to make it look like things are shooting out of the body. 

Add some sparklies to the top and done.

You can create one with a base. 

Add some lines and sparklies. 

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To create random lines, use the Dashed Line feature in the Stroke Panel and set the dash and gap to random lengths. 

Add some starts as well to make it active and fun. Enjoy!