6/29/09:Intro to Illustrator CS4
Adobe Illustrator: A vector-based drawing program.
Vectors are:
* Based on mathematical formulas
* Composed of Paths and Points-NOT pixels.
* Resolution-Independent (ie: can be resized without losing image quality).
* Generally good for smooth-edged image designs (ie: logos).
Get Started
1. Open the program Adobe Illustrator CS4 in Applications Folder and/or make a shortcut to the Dock
2. A pop-up menu appears asking for the type of document, choose “Print”. Set specific document size dimensions here (choose: inches) or select a default size.
*A new option in CS4 is multiple Artboards. This feature allows numerous artboards within the same document; excellent for placing vector designs in multiple document sizes (ie: place a logo in a business card and a letterhead). Artboards can be edited with the Artboard Tool found in the Toolbar.
3. In the new window you will see an “Artboard”, the main (printable) work area. Outside is the Canvas “scratch pad” area that is saved with your files, but not printable.
Vector Objects must be Selected in order to be modified/edited!
- Use a Selection Tool from the Toolbar
- Deselect a vector object to move forward
DESELECT a Vector object:
Use a Selection Tool to highlight the Vector object >Select >Deselect
-or-
shift + command + A
-or-
Click outside of the Vector object with a Selection Tool
The Toolbar
Note:
*There are additional Tools nested within other Tools. Click on the flyout tab to keep a Tool menu open.
* Extra options for each Tool can be found by double clicking on the Tool icon itself.
* The Options Bar and Panels may also provide additional options, depending on the Tool.
Selection Tools:
* Selection (black arrow): chooses entire object with a bounding box, able to move object, resize, edit color….
* Direct Selection (white arrow) : chooses more specific paths and points of an object (click on object edge to get “white” anchor points to manipulate by clicking and dragging).
Drawing Tools:
* Shape: Rectangle, rounded rectangle, elipse…
* Line, Arc, Spiral…
Colors:
Each vector object can have a fill (inside) color and/or stroke (outside) color.
Stroke: the outline of a object.
Edit Stroke point size in Option Bar -or-
Stroke Palette (Window >Stroke…Options for Stroke Weight, Dashed Stroke, Round Joint, etc.)
Select a Fill/Stroke Color from the Color Boxes at the bottom of the Toolbar – or -
Open the Color Palette (>Window >Color)
Eliminate a Stroke or Fill: Select the Stroke or Fill box in the Toolbar to bring it forward. Select the “None” Box.
An object must have *either* a Stroke -OR- a Fill!
Gradient Fill: Click the center Gradient Box -located below the Fill/Stroke Color Boxes, next to “None” Box.
Create your own Gradient combination with the Gradient Palette (>Window >Gradient) and the Swatches Palette…drag a swatch into the Gradient spectrum.
Reshaping Tools:
* Warp/ Bloat
Slicing and Cutting Tools:
* Eraser/ Scissors/Knife-separates paths
Painting Tools:
Use with Brushes Palette (>Window >Brushes). Brushes appear as Strokes on a vector object and can be modified as long as the vector object is selected. Try using a WACAM tablet if you are intereste in freehand drawing.
* Brush-freehand drawing tool, creates a stroke with no fill
* Pencil-freehand drawing tool, creates a stroke with no fill
*Blob Brush -new in CS4, this brush creates a stroke *and* a fill
Arrange overlapping Objects
Select the Vector object with a Selection Tool.
>Object >Arrange : Bring to front, send to Back, etc…
Moving and Zooming Tools:
* Zoom (magnify glass)-zoom in/out
* Hand-use when zoomed in
In Class Assignment #1: LOGO
Design two different Logos using the Illustrator Tools reviewed from today’s lecture. Include a short list of the Tools used in creating the design.
DO NOT IMPORT ANY BITMAP GRAPHICS INTO THIS PROJECT-VECTORS ONLY!
One of your logos will be placed into a business card tomorrow, so don’t add extraneous supplemental information (email, website, etc) unless it is a part of your design.
Requirements:
Create two logo concepts, based on a personal design that symbolizes you.
-or-
Create two logo concepts, based on one of the following organizations. Check their current logos first and see how you may reinterpret it:
Requirements:
- Number of Artboards: 2
- Spacing: 1 inch
- Width: 2 inches
- Height: 2 inches
- Save as “yourname_logo.ai”, to your Illustrator > Assignments folder
- Due Wednesday, July 1
Logo: A logo is a graphic element, symbol, or icon of a trademark or brand. A typical logo is designed to cause immediate recognition by the viewer. The logo is one aspect of the brand of a company and the shapes, colors, fonts and images are usually different from others in a similar market. Logos may also be used to identify organizations or other entities in non-economic contexts.
Links to Review
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