Adobe Illustrator Intro

Page 1: Title

  • Adobe Illustrator CS6 Tutorial

Page 2: Getting Started

  • Adobe Illustrator CS6 is a versatile illustration program for print, multimedia, and online graphics.

  • Provides tools for both design and illustration, suitable for beginners to professionals.

  • Table of Contents Overview:

    • Getting Started

    • Setting Up the Document

    • Toolbox and Toolbox Description

    • Working with Layers

    • Making Selections

    • Creating Basic Shapes

    • Inserting and Formatting Text

    • Typing on a Path

    • Placing Images

    • Working with Objects

    • Arranging

    • Grouping

    • Locking

    • Applying Transparencies

    • Applying Styles, Effects, and Appearances

    • Working with Symbols

    • Saving

Page 3: Getting Started with Adobe Illustrator CS6

  1. Opening Illustrator CS6:

    • On PC: Start > Programs > Adobe > Illustrator CS6 or desktop shortcut.

    • On Mac: Macintosh HD > Applications > Adobe Illustrator CS6 or icon in Dock.

  2. Setting Up Your Document:

    • Important to set up correctly based on project type (e.g., brochures).

    • Use Document Setup for page size and orientation.

Page 4: Setting Up the Document

  1. Creating a New Document:

    • Navigate to File > New to open Document Setup.

    • Set Page Size: Choose from presets or specify your own dimensions.

    • Orientation: Select Portrait or Landscape based on dimensions.

    • Document Profile: Choose based on the project (e.g., Print or Web).

  2. Editing Document Settings:

    • Adjust settings anytime through File > Document Setup > More Options.

Page 5: Toolbox Overview

  • Familiarity for users of Adobe PageMaker or InDesign; not all tools are necessary for beginners.

  • Accessing Additional Tools:

    • Tools with gray triangles indicate more options.

    • Tear-off: Click, hold, then drag to create a new toolbar.

Page 6: Toolbox Description

  • Selection Tool: Used for selecting objects/text.

  • Direct Selection Tool: Edits the contents of a frame.

  • Group Selection Tool: Selects multiple anchor points at once.

  • Magic Wand Tool: Selects similar objects.

  • Lasso Tool: Draws around objects/points to select.

  • Pen Tool: Creates lines between anchor points.

  • Type Tool: Creates text frames.

  • Shape Tools: Create basic shapes (rectangle, ellipse, etc.).

  • Paintbrush/Pencil Tools: For drawing paths.

Page 7: Advanced Toolbox Description

  • Arc Tool: Draws curved lines.

  • Spiral Tool: Creates spirals.

  • Erase Tool: Removes path parts.

  • Transform Tools: Rotate, reflect, scale, and shear objects.

Page 8: Additional Tools Overview

  • Free Transform Tool: Rotates and scales selected objects.

  • Symbol Tools: Manage symbol instances for repetitive designs.

  • Graph Tools: Create various graphs (Column, Bar, Pie, etc.).

  • Gradient Tool: Adjusts gradient properties across objects.

Page 9: Working with Layers

  • Layers Overview: Organizes work into distinct units for editing.

  • Access Layers palette via Window > Layers.

  • Layers palette elements: Eye icon, lock icon, Create New Layer, Delete Layer, etc.

Page 10: Making Selections

  • Using the Selection Tool: Click on objects to select.

  • Marquee Selection: Click and drag to select multiple objects; hold SHIFT for multiple selections.

  • Duplicating Objects: Hold ALT/OPTION key while dragging to duplicate.

Page 11: Creating Basic Shapes

  • Select Shape tool and drag to create shapes on artboard.

  • Tip: Hold SHIFT for perfect shapes (circle, square).

Page 12: Inserting and Formatting Text

  • Powerful feature to treat text as graphic elements.

  • Adding Text: Use Type tool, drag to create text area, customize in Character palette.

  • Text Wrap: Wrap text around objects with Text Wrap options.

Page 13: Typing on a Path

  • Type along a path drawn with shape or pen tools.

  • Select Path Type tool; adjust position with Selection tool.

Page 14: Placing Images

  • Using Place Function: Ensure desired layer is selected, then navigate to File > Place.

  • Resize images using corner handles; hold SHIFT to maintain proportions.

Page 15: Working with Objects

  • Types of objects: Text, Images, Graphics.

  • Use Place function to add images and graphics to the document.

Page 16: Arranging Objects

  • Use guides to align objects; make rulers visible via View > Rulers.

  • Creating Guides: Drag from ruler onto the artboard; guides can be locked.

Page 17: Clipping Masks and Grouping

  • Clipping Masks: Show artwork within the shape's boundaries.

  • Grouping Objects: Move multiple objects as a single unit; use Object > Group.

  • Locking Objects: Prevent movement with Object > Lock > Selection.

Page 18: Applying Transparencies and Styles

  • Adjust object opacity using the Transparency palette; set blending modes.

  • Create styles or apply effects via the Effects menu.

Page 19: Working with Symbols

  • Creating Symbols: Draw an object, add to Symbols palette, use Symbols Sprayer tool.

  • Editing Symbols: Update attributes while maintaining existing instances.

Page 20: Saving Your Work

  • Save frequently; navigate to File > Save.

  • Specify document name and format before saving.