Illustrator question: Stroke size variation?

Is it at all possible to make a stroke start at one size, and increase or decrease in size at different points on the stroke? I have yet to see such an option, but if there is one, or a plug-in that can make this possible, I'd love to know it.

Only things I know to do is to convert a stroke to outlines and then warp it a bit. But the effect is not nearly accurate enough.

Or if its possible in a program like XaraX, I may have to get that program just to do that.

I've been using Illustrator for 2 years now, and not once have I come across a way to do this, i always end up doing it with my bezier..Could you not do it with a bezier pen?

Well, I could do it that way, but that's the hard way (the *real* hard way).

And if I was gonna do that... I'd again just make a stroked area, convert to outlines, and then use the direct selection tool or a warp tool to alter it.

What I want to do is make a spiral stroke that increases/decreases in size at a smooth rate. Something which is not easily done by manual point adjustment or warping effects.

Sure, easy....

Just create a long slender isosceles (two sides of equal length) triangle, and rotate it so it's situated horizontally. While it's selected use your move tool and drag it to your brushes palette. You'll get a modal dialogue box. Select "New Art Brush." Set other parameters if you know what your intent will be. Otherwise, just hit OK.

Now, apply this to your spiral by clicking on the brush you just made in the Brushes Palette. You may have to adjust the proportionality of the thickness:length ratio, but playing around is half the fun!

Yeah, I know...I'm da man.

:D

Ahhh. Yup. Good way to go about it U23. Thanks.

I've even used the art brush several times before. Just never thought of doing that. Grrrr. ;)