DID Unit 5 - Illustrator Basics
- 1. ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR introduction to vector graphics
- 2. Basics of Illustrator Illustrator uses layers like Photoshop. There are two color swatches: the stroke (the outline) and the fills (shape color) The pen tool is the easiest way to begin to understand vector graphics. Use the anchor points to rotate, stretch, resize etc. Add points to make shapes. Make a curved line now: Make your first point. Then, make your second point, but don’t release the mouse. Instead, drag the mouse downward or upward slowly. You’ll notice the line starts to curve. When you get the curve you want, release the mouse button.
- 3. Lesson 1: Tracing a Sketch with the Pen Tool Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Import a hand drawn image of the cartoon character above. For this lesson draw the leaf above. Use the pen tool an trace portions of the image. Work in small areas at first, try not to do too much at once. Use the zoom tool to see where you are bending points. Continue to add points before making segments. Complete one side of the image. You will copy this and join it later.
- 4. Lesson 1: Tracing a Sketch with the Pen Tool Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Copy and past the line work. Illustrator not only uses layers, but also uses stacking (Bring Forward, Send Backward) like in PPT. Then reflect the copied image. Use the ALIGN TOP function to keep the copies aligned. In order to “join” work you must use the Pathfinder. Illustrator is not like in Photoshop in that you can just use the eraser tool. Illustrator is not a BITMAP editor. Use the shape tool to create other parts of the drawing (such as the ellipse, rectangular, star or polygon)
- 5. Lesson 1: Tracing a Sketch with the Pen Tool Step 9 Step 10 Step 11 Step 12 Adjust the shapes using the anchor point and handle. Finalize any of the missing shapes. Again, use the handle and anchor points to adjust “perfect” polygons. Create a symmetrical curve. TIP: While using the Pen Tool you can press CTRL to deselect the curve and use the selection too. Turn your strokes into a closed shape using the Outline Stroke and Pathfinder window.
- 6. Lesson 1: Tracing a Sketch with the Pen Tool Step 13 Step 14 Step 15 Step 16 Draw a path using the pen tool. Then change the stroke weight so that the line becomes thick. Use the OUTLINE STROKE to turn this into a shape. Adjust the shape using the anchor points and handles. Add an anchor point to the center. Use the CONVERT to round the point.
- 7. Lesson 1: Tracing a Sketch with the Pen Tool Step 17 Step 18 Step 19 Step 20 Add fill colors by turning off the stroke and turning on the fill. Copy and paste part of your drawing. Choose offset path to turn your path into a shape. Using stacked copies of your original image, you can use the arrow keys to nudge the image. This will create a less uniform outline. Add a GRADIENT by choosing the red to yellow gradient from the FILL MENU.
- 8. Lesson 1: Tracing a Sketch with the Pen Tool Step 21 Step 22 Step 23 Step 24 Choose GRADIENT from the WINDOW menu. Click on a color swatch in the gradient menu to adjust the colors. Change the gradient color for the shapes. Use the gradient tool from the tool bar. You can adjust the direction gradients go using this tool. Make any final adjustments and complete your vector cartoon drawing. When you are done, you should have something like the image above.