Scribble

The Scribble fill type mimics the look of hand-drawn lines. It offers adjustable settings to control stroke spacing, curve shape, and line direction—allowing you to create an organic, hand-crafted effect.

Fill Parameters

The following parameters let you fine-tune your scribble fill:

Interval (units): Adjusts the spacing between strokes. Lower values produce a denser pattern, while higher values create a more open design.

Curviness (%): Controls the bend of the strokes. Higher percentages yield smoother, more fluid curves; lower percentages result in sharper, more angular turns.

Randomization (%): Introduces subtle variations to stroke placement for a more natural, less mechanical look.

Angle (°): Determines the overall orientation of the scribble strokes.

Smoothness: Refines the flow of strokes by reducing jagged edges for a cleaner appearance.

Details (%): Adjusts the complexity of the stroke pattern. Increase this value to add intricate lines or decrease it for a simpler design.

Rotation (°): Applies incremental rotation to the scribble pattern, adding a dynamic twist to the design.

Height: Controls the vertical amplitude of the scribble wave, affecting how tall the pattern appears.

Zigzag: Displays the scribble as a continuous zigzag line.

Lines: Presents the scribble as a series of linear strokes.

Add and Customize a Scribble Fill

To create a new Scribble fill, follow the instructions in our Add a Fill. When the selection menu appears, choose the Scribble fill type.

Interval

1. In the SCRIBBLE FILL section, locate the Interval control.
2. Adjust the spacing between strokes using the slider or by entering a specific value.
3. Lower values create a denser pattern, while higher values yield a more open layout.

interval: 0.6	interval: 1	interval: 1.5

Curviness

1. Find the Curviness option.
2. Use the slider or enter a value manually to adjust the bend of the strokes.
3. Higher percentages yield smoother, flowing curves; lower percentages result in sharper angles.

curviness: 0	curviness: 50	curviness: 100

Randomization

1. Locate the Randomization setting.
2. Adjust the slider or enter a value to introduce slight variations in stroke placement.
3. Increasing this value creates a more natural, less uniform pattern.

randomization: 0	randomization: 50	randomization: 100

Angle

1. Find the Angle control.
2. Adjust the slider or input a value to set the overall orientation of the scribble strokes.
3. This value defines the dominant stroke direction.

angle: 45	angle: 90	angle: 10

Smoothness

1. Locate the Smoothness option.
2. Adjust the slider or manually enter a value to smooth out the stroke transitions.
3. Higher values minimize jagged edges for a more refined look.

smoothness: 0	smoothness: 15	smoothness: 30

Details

1. Locate the Details control in the SCRIBBLE FILL section.
2. Use the slider or input a value to modify the level of intricacy in the fill.
3. Higher values add more fine lines and curves, increasing the pattern's complexity.

details: 0	details: 25	details: 100

Rotation

1. Locate the Rotation option.
2. Adjust the slider or enter a value to apply incremental rotation to the scribble pattern.
3. This adds a dynamic twist to the design at different detailing levels.

rotation: 0	rotation: 5	rotation: 15

Height

1. Find the Height control.
2. Adjust the slider or enter a value to change the vertical amplitude of the scribble wave.
3. This setting determines how tall the scribble pattern appears.

height: 3	height: 7	height: 15

Scribble Pattern

Select one of two display modes for your scribble fill: view it as a continuous zigzag line or as a series of individual linear strokes.

Zigzag	Lines

Stroke Properties

Other properties apply to this fill, which you can read about in the relevant articles:

• COLOR
• IMAGE THRESHOLD
• STROKE THICKNESS
• DASHED LINE
• STROKE CAPS
• EMBOSS
• OVERLAP CONTROL

Link to Example

You can use the example file for this article UM3-Fills-Scribble.lines to practice adjusting Scribble fill parameters.