Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a VECTOR-based drawing program developed by Adobe Systems. Vector graphics or geometric modeling is the use of geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and polygons, which are all based upon mathematical equations to represent images in computer graphics. VECTOR programs are preferable for graphic design, page layout, typography, logos, sharp-edged artistic illustrations (i.e. cartoons, clip art, complex geometric patterns), technical illustrations, diagramming and flowcharting.

It is used by contrast to the term raster graphics, which is the representation of images as a collection of pixels (dots). Adobe PhotoShop is an example of a raster graphic program. Raster Graphics are used primarily for photographic image editing.

A black triangle at the right lower corner of the icon indicates that there are other options available with the selected tool.

The first two tools on the toolbar are your selection tools. The black arrow will “SELECT ALL” meaning if you click on an object, the entire object will be selected including all points. The white arrow by contrast is a DIRECT SELECT tool. This tool will only select one point or if you extend a marquee, several points.

The pen tool has 3 additional options. This tool is used to create accurate lines. To create straight lines, just click and release to place points. A line will be created between the points you create. Another type of line that can be created using the pen tool is the curved line. The curve that is created is known as a Bezier curve. Pronounced bez-ee-ay, these curved lines (splines) are defined by mathematical formulas.

Named after the French mathematician Pierre Bézier, Bézier curves employ at least three points to define a curve. There are two endpoints called anchor points that are on the curve. The other points, which actually define the shape of the curve, are called handles. By moving the handles themselves, or the control points, you can modify the shape of the curve.

The pen tool with the + next to it is used to add points to a curve. The pen tool with the – is used to subtract points, and the upside-down V tool is used to convert points from either Bezier to angled by clicking on a Bezier point (removes the handles), or angled to Bezier, by clicking and dragging on a point (to create handles).

After creating a line, the line can be modified in several ways. The stroke weight can be changed in the stroke palette by increasing or decreasing the points. The end can be altered to be rounded or flat. The Angle can be modified to be rounded or sharp. And the line may be converted to a dashed line of varying point sizes.

The shape tool allows you to create a number of different geometric shapes that can be transformed into organic shapes by modifying the points. There are 5 options available for shapes, plus a starburst option that we will not be using in this course. Begin by selecting the shape you wish to draw. Click on screen and drag to create the shape. Modifiers: Hold shift down to constrain the proportions of the shape (create a perfect square or circle). The up and down arrows can be used to modify the shapes in some instances, only while the mouse is still down. Once the mouse is released, it cannot be used to modify the shape. For instance, the polygon can be changed from a hexagon to a triangle using the down arrow, or to an octagon using the up arrow. In the case of the star, holding the alt button down while drawing will constrain the inner circle radius of points, or the option button will increase the inner circle radius.

When speaking of form, Illustrator has a 3D Effects filter, found under Effect -> 3D -> then you can chose one of the following: 1. Extrude and Bevel creates 3d objects from flat shapes by adding depth and bevel. 2. Revolve creates a 3d object by rotating a stroke around a vertical axis. 3. Rotate allows you to alter the perspective of a 2d object – as if it were in 3d space.

Value can be used to create the illusion of 3d space. The gradient tool allows you to apply linear or radial gradients to shapes. A linear gradient moves in one direction as opposed to a radial gradient that radiates from a central point.

Create a simple shape, with the object selected, click on the Gradient icon, located just below the background and foreground colors in the Toolbox. Gradient fills in Illustrator, work like a solid fill. If you create an object, and with it selected, fill it with a gradient. The Gradient palette allows you to adjust the type of gradient, colors, angle and distribution of the gradient. Text objects must be converted to outlines (Type>Create Outlines) before a gradient fill can be applied.

If you click on the gradient icon in the tool bar, you can click and drag the gradient across a selected shape to control the gradients direction and start point.

Color can be one of the most exciting elements of art to work with. The fill is the color, which fills an object and the outline is called the Stroke.

The color palette applies color to an object's fill and stroke, as well as provides the ability to edit and mix colors. Notice the fill and stroke icons (as seen in the Toolbox) on the lefts side of the color palette.

We will be working in both screen and print color modes.

The RGB color model is an additive model in which red, green and blue (often used in additive light models) are combined in various ways to reproduce other colors. Media that combine emitted lights to create the sensation of a range of colors are using the additive color system. Additive mixing of red and green light, produce shades of yellow or orange. Mixing green and blue produces shades of cyan, and mixing red and blue produces shades of purple and magenta. Mixing equal proportions of the additive primaries results in shades of grey; when all three colors are fully saturated, the result is white.

CMYK is a subtractive color model used in color printing. Media that use reflected light and colorants to produce colors are using the subtractive color method of color mixing. In the printing industry, to produce the varying colors, apply the subtractive primaries yellow, cyan, and magenta together in varying amounts. Subtractive color works best when the surface or paper, is white, or close to it. Mixing yellow and cyan produces shades of green; mixing yellow with magenta produces shades of red, and mixing magenta with cyan produces shades of blue. In theory, mixing equal amounts of all three pigments should produce shades of grey, resulting in black when all three are fully saturated, but in practice they tend to produce muddy brown colors. For this reason, a fourth "primary" pigment, black, is often used in addition to the cyan, magenta, and yellow colors.

Texture can be added using the swatch palette or graphic styles palettes.

The Swatches palette allows you to quickly apply colors, gradients, patterns, etc. and to store document specific swatches. The Graphic Styles palette lets you create, name, save, and apply sets of appearance attributes.