Illustrator Beginner

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    1/32

    Illustrator Beginners Series 1: Layers &Placing Images

    By Cory Jan 25th, 2009 Category: Tutorials & Tips

    Many people have been asking for more basic tutorials, so guess what? The squeaky wheel getsthe oil. This is the first in a series of beginner tutorials for people just starting out in Illustrator.

    This one covers the layer palette and placing your pencil sketches in Illustrator.

    The first thing you need to do is open a New document. Go to File > New or use the keyboard

    shortcut, Command (the Apple key) and N on a Mac or Control and N on a PC.

    Next, youll want to place your pencil sketch. Go to File > Place. A dialogue box will pop up and

    just find your sketch file on your hard drive. I usually scan my sketches as grayscale jpegs at 72dpi.

    http://illustrationinfo.com/?cat=14http://illustrationinfo.com/?author=1
  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    2/32

    Heres my leaf guy that Im working on for the series.

    Now youll need to open your Layers palette. Go to Window > Layers. If it has check mark by it

    on your drop down menu, that means it is already open.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    3/32

    Heres what the Layers palette looks like.

    On a side note, youll notice that the Links palette tab is also attached to the Layers palette. You

    can drag and drop the different tabs to different palettes to organize the palettes the way you

    want.

    Double click on the Layer name. I think the default name is Layer 1. A dialogue box will pop up.

    Here you can change some of the Layer preferences like the name. This is my sketch layer, so I

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    4/32

    changed the name to sketch.

    Next, I want to lock my sketch layer, so I dont draw on it. To lock a layer, click on the area to

    the left of the layer name. A lock will appear. This isnt permanent, so you can always unlock it

    by clicking it again.

    FYI, to the left of the Lock is the Visibility. This makes the layer visible or invisible.

    Finally, you want to create a second layer to draw on. Click on the icon at the bottom that looks

    like a sheet of paper. A new layer appears. You can click on the name to change the name or

    other preferences.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    5/32

    Now, you are ready to draw. Feel free to post any comments or questions below.

    Illustrator Beginners Series 2: Pen ToolBasics

    By Cory Jan 27th, 2009 Category: Tutorials & Tips

    This is the second part in my Adobe Illustrator Beginners series. This tutorial is about drawing

    with the Pen tool. The Pen tool is Illustrators workhorse. It takes time to learn how to use, but itis great once you figure it out. The best way to learn the Pen Tool is to trace over sketches.

    Before we get to that, this is a basic overview of the pen tool.

    Before you start using the Pen tool, youll want to set your colors. Illustrator has two coloroptions the Fill color (the color inside a shape) and the Stroke color (or the outline color). I like

    to draw with a Stroke color and no Fill color. You can change the colors of the Fill and Stroke on

    the Toolbar using the Swatch palette. To get the Swatch palette, go to Window > Swatches.

    After your Swatch palette is open, click on the color you want. I chose black. Notice you areediting either the Stroke or the Fill based on which one is on top on the Toolbar. To edit the other

    one , click on the one underneath (either the fill or the stroke). It will move to the front, then

    click on a swatch in the Swatch palette for that one. The white swatch with the red line through it

    is no color.

    http://illustrationinfo.com/?author=1http://illustrationinfo.com/?cat=14
  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    6/32

    Now, on to the Pen tool. This is the pen tool on the Toolbar.

    The pen tool works by placing anchor points down and drawing lines in between them. Click on

    the artboard (the area of the file you draw on) with the pen tool selected. Youll notice a pointappears.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    7/32

    Now click on another place on the artboard. Another point appears and a line is drawn between

    the two points.

    Next, make a third point.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    8/32

    Finally, conect the third point to the first. To do this youll need to click on the original point.

    Hover your tool tip or mouse pointer over the original point. Youll know youre over the pointwhen a small circle appears next to your pen tool, then click on the point. Your line or path is

    closed.

    Congratulations, you have just made a shape with the Pen tool. Look out Picasso! Youve

    created a lopsided triangle.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    9/32

    Lets make a curved line now. Make your first point. Then, make your second point, but dont

    release the mouse. Instead, drag the mouse downward or upward slowly. Youll notice the line

    starts to curve. When you get the curve you want, release the mouse button.

    Now make another point. Youll notice Illustrator makes a recipricol curve.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    10/32

    Lets say you arent happy with that curve. You can go to Edit > Undo Pen to delete the last step.

    Or maybe you change your mind, go to Edit > Redo Pen and it is back.

    That curve still doesny look right to you, so lets manually adjust it. Go to Toolbar and select

    the Direct Selection tool (its the white arrow).

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    11/32

    Youll notice that whenever you make a curved line it has a little blue handle (or other layer

    color) that comes off of it. You can use this to adjust the curve. Click and grab the point at the

    end of the handle and move your mouse around to adjust the curve. Once you get the curve right

    release the mouse button.

    After all that, you still hate your curved line, so lets delete it. Select the Selection tool, the blackarrow on the Toolbar and click on your curved line. Then hit Delete on the keyboard. It should

    be gone. You can always Undo it if you want it back.

    To make your life easier, I have a list of keyboard shortcuts for the Toolbar tools here.

    http://illustrationinfo.com/?p=109
  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    12/32

    Finally, lets make a line that curves then goes straight. Make a curved line like you did before.

    Instead of making another point, click on the Direct Selection or the Selection tool and deselect

    your line. To deselect your line, just click on a blank spot on the artboard using one of theSelection tools.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    13/32

    A good trick to switching between the Pen tool and your last used Selection tool is to hold down

    the Command (Apple) key on a Mac or the Control key on a PC. Try it out. Select the Pen tool

    on the Toolbar. Now hold down the Command/Control key. Youll notice the tool tip change

    from the Pen to the Selection tool.

    Back to your curved line. To restart drawing on the same line, hover your mouse over the endpoint like you did when you were closing a shape or path. This time instead of a circle beside the

    Pen tool tip, youll see a slash mark. This means youre over the point. Click on it and then makeyour next point and your line will continue. You should have a line that curves then goesstraight.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    14/32

    Well, thats it for my Pen tool basics. Theres more to the Pen tool, but thats enough to get youstarted. The next tutorial will be applying all of this to the leaf sketch from the first tutorial in the

    beginners series.

    This post was written on IllustrationInfo.com. Content copyright 2009 Cory Thoman.

    IllustratorAdd

    Adobe Illustrator ShortcutsIf you liked my previous article on Photoshop shortcuts, youll probably find this post useful.

    Here are 26 Illustrator shortcuts that can help you to speed up productivity. I use most ofthem (in fact, I cant work without them). Most of shortcuts listed in this article arent

    documented in the software, so keep reading and youre sure to find at least one new trick to

    put up your sleeve. Enjoy!

    Note: this article is written in Mac Illustrator CS3 format. If you are using PC, Cmd key = Ctrl

    key and Opt = Alt.

    1. Change the Unit Setting

    You can quickly change the Artboard unit measurement setting by right-clicking on the ruler.

    http://illustrationinfo.com/?p=155http://illustrationinfo.com/http://www.webdesignerwall.com/tag/illustrator/http://www.webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/adobe-illustrator-shortcuts/#respondhttp://www.webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/photoshop-secret-shortcuts/
  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    15/32

    2. Activate Tool Options

    With the tool selected, (e.g. Blend Tool), press the Enterkey to open up the Blend Options window.

    Another way to open up the tool option panel is to double-click on the tool icon.

    3. Duplicate a Series of Objects

    Select the object, hold down Option key and drag. You now have a copy of the object. Each time

    you press Cmd + D (Transform Again) you distribute more copies.

    4. Draw Shape with Options

    Select any shape tool, (e.g. Star Tool), click anywhere on the Artboard, it will let you draw a shape

    with options.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    16/32

    5. Zoom With Mouse Wheel

    Hold down Option key & scroll the mouse wheel up or down to zoom in/out

    6. Gradient Stop Color

    To quickly change a gradient stop color to any color swatch in the library: select a gradient stop, hold

    down Option key and click on a swatch.

    7. Switch Color Profile

    Hold down Shiftkey and click on the color bar will let you toggle through the color profiles:

    Grayscale, RGB, HSB, CMYK, Web Safe RGB.

    8. Layer Visibility

    Cmd + Click Visibility Icon = toggle view mode (Outline/Preview)

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    17/32

    Opt + Click Visibility Icon = hide other layers (Opt + click again will show all)

    Click Visibility Icon & Drag = toggle multi layers

    9. New Layer

    Cmd + L = New layer

    Cmd + Opt + L = New layer with options

    10. Select All Objects on Layer

    To select all objects on a particular layer, hold down Option key and click on the layer name.

    11. Navigate Live Paint Bucket Color

    With the Live Paint Bucket tool selected, click on any swatch in the Color palette, now use the arrow

    keys (Up, Down, Left, Right) to navigate through the swatches.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    18/32

    12. Fill and Stroke Color

    D = Default color (white fill & black stroke)

    X= Toggle between fill and stroke

    Shift + X= Swap fill and stroke color

    /= None (transparent)

    < = Color fill

    > = Gradient fill

    13. Saturate or Desaturate Color

    Holding down Cmdkey and dragging the color slider will saturate or desaturate a mixed color.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    19/32

    14. Increase/Decrease Input Field Value

    Place the cursor in any input field, press arrow Up orDown to increase/decrease.

    15. Close Pencil or Brush Path

    By default, Illustrator will use close a Pencil and Brush path. To close a Pencil path manually, hold

    down Option key when you are about to finish drawing the path.

    16. Add or Subtract Sides

    With the Star Tool, drag on the Artboard (do not release the mouse yet), pressUp orDown arrow to

    add/subtract sides. Notes: this shortcut can also works for the Arc, Spiral, Rectangle Grid, Polar

    Grid, Polygon, and Flare Tool.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    20/32

    17. Inner Radius

    With the Star Tool, drag on the Artboard (do not release the mouse yet), holding down the Cmdkey

    while dragging will let you control the inner radius. This shortcut also works for the Spiral Tool.

    18. Continuous Duplicates Based on Mouse Movement

    With any shape tool, holding down the Tilde (~) key while dragging will make continuous duplicates

    based on your mouse movement. This is a very useful shortcut to create fun and complex artwork.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    21/32

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    22/32

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    23/32

    Opt + LeftorRight= Increase/decrease kerning or tracking

    Cmd + Opt + Q = Reset kerning/tracking to zero

    26. Add New Fill and Stroke

    Cmd + /= Add new fill

    Cmd + Opt + /= Add new stroke

    Final Remarks

    If you are interested in learning more Illustrator stuffs, try my Illustrator tutorials. I havent updated the

    Illustrator tutorials in a while because Im busy testing Illustrator CS4 Beta version. As soon Adobe

    officially releases CS4, Ill work on posting some Illustrator CS4 reviews and tutorials.

    DeliciousStumbleuponDigg

    Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics application, so it doesnt matter what size the icon is

    created at. We can simply select all the objects and scale them up to the size of King Kong,

    or likewise scale them down to the desired size. Unlike Photoshop, all our lines and shapes

    will keep their crisp lines and colours because theyre made of mathematical calculations

    rather than good old pixels.

    Open up Illustrator and create a new document. Click and hold the mouse over the

    Rectangle tool to select the Rounded Rectangle option hiding underneath. Draw your shape

    on the artboard while holding Shift, use the arrow cursor keys to adjust the roundness of the

    corners while dragging.

    Another difference between Illustrator and Photoshop is the options sat at the bottom of the

    main tool palette. In Photoshop, Im sure youre familiar with the foreground and background

    http://www.ndesign-studio.com/resources/tutorials/http://del.icio.us/post?url=http://www.webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/adobe-illustrator-shortcuts/http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http://www.webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/adobe-illustrator-shortcuts/http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://www.webdesignerwall.com/tutorials/adobe-illustrator-shortcuts/
  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    24/32

    swatches In Illustrator this is replaced with the fill colour and stroke colour. Click the

    stroke option and clear off any defaults, then bring the fill into focus. Over in the Gradient

    Panel, add an orange fill that varies from dark to light vertically across the shape.

    With the shape selected, go Object > Path > Offset Path. Enter -1mm in the options. Grab

    the corner of the new shape and rotate to 180 degrees so the gradients flow in opposite

    directions.

    Grab the circle tool and draw a shape elsewhere on the artboard. Clear out any fill, and add

    a thick 16pt black stroke.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    25/32

    With the Direct Selection Tool (White Arrow), select only the left and bottom points of the

    circle. Hit delete on the keyboard to trim the circle down to a quarter.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    26/32

    Copy (CMD+C) the quarter circle and paste in front (CMD+F). Scale it down while holding

    the shift key to keep everything tight. Tip: Check the Scale Strokes and Effects option in the

    preferences and alter to your personal liking.

    Adjust the stroke weight to match the 16pt of the original.

    http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/tutorials/illustrator-quickfix-%E2%80%93-strokes-not-scaling-properly
  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    27/32

    Press CMD+R to show the rulers, then drag a couple of guides out in alignment with the

    quarter circles. Using the intersection as a source, draw a small circle to finish off the

    traditional RSS shape.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    28/32

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    29/32

    Press CMD-G to Group the objects together, then scale and position them into place in the

    overall orange container.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    30/32

    Select the inner rectangle from the orange box, Copy (CMD-C) and Paste in Front (CMD-F).

    Fill it with white. One tip to remember is unlike Photoshop, Illustrator can hold multiple items

    in just one layer, each stackable on top of each other.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    31/32

    Draw a large, flat oval over the entire graphic. Pay close attention to how the bottom curve

    overlaps the white rectangle. With the oval and rectangle selection, click the Intersect

    Shape Area option in the Pathfinder palette.

    Reduce the Opacity of this new shape down to around 15%, giving a sleek shine to the

    icon.

  • 8/8/2019 Illustrator Beginner

    32/32

    Finish off the graphic with a couple of specular hightlights in the form of circles. Use 15%

    opacity again to maintain a subtle appearance.

    There we go, a simple vector RSS icon using some simple steps, but covering some of

    Illustrators powerful tools.

    Download the source file

    http://www.blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/login