Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor developed and marketed by Adobe Systems. The latest version, Illustrator CC, is the seventeenth generation in the product line. Unlike PhotoShop, which deals in pixels (raster images), this one deals in lines and algorithms for various shapes.

It functions by generating curved paths connected by modifiable anchor points. These anchors, with their handles, are ultimately editable and never “leave” the structure of the file. Adobe Illustrator is a professional quality graphic art program.

Its applications are diverse, from creating print to web graphics and, for our purposes, posters. Although the program is complex and requires a significant amount of time to truly master, it is quite easy to learn the basics and create work with a professional appearance. Introduction to Illustrator’s authoring environment.

Curriculum:

• WORKING WITH BASIC TOOLS :
• Using the Toolbox, Selection techniques with the Selection and Direct Selection tools, Line and Shape tools, Modifing tool options, Techniques for polygons, rounded rectangles, spirals and stars n Defining the Stroke and Fill of shapes
• TRANSFORMING AND CONTROLLING SHAPES :
• Grouping n Work in Group Isolation Mode, Understanding nested groupsn The Group Selection tool, Using the Free Transform tool, Changing the stacking order of objectsn Working with the Layers palette
• OBJECTS :
• Aligning and distributing objects, Scaling objects, Rotating objects, Reflecting objects, Distorting objects Shearing objects, Position objects precisely
• LIVE PAINT :
• Create a Live Paint Group, Edit Live Paint regions, Add objects to Live Paint Groups, Use the Live Paint tool, Set Gap options
• COLOUR :
• Color fundamentals, Color Modes (RGB / CMYK), Defining and using Global and Spot Colours, Mixing Colours with the Colour Palette and Colour Picker, Saving, loading and exporting Swatches, Creating, editing and applying Gradients, Sampling colours with the Eyedropper tool
• LIVE TRACE :
• Importing bitmap graphics, Converting bitmap art into vector paths, Working with Live Trace presets and options
• DRAWING WITH THE PENCIL TOOL:
• Create paths with the Pencil tooln Pencil, Eraser & Smooth tool optionsn Splitting paths with the Eraser tool, Simplifying paths with the Smooth tool
• Raster
• PRECISION DRAWING WITH THE PEN TOOL :
• Creating paths with thePen tool, Splitting and joining paths, Creating and editing Bezier curves, Using the Convert Anchor Point tool, Adding and removing Anchor Points,Adding arrowheads
• PAINTING WITH THE PAINTBRUSH :
• Creating paths with the Brush tools (Scatter, Art, Calligraphic and Pattern), Brush tool options and libraries, Creating new brushes, Applying brush strokes to existing paths
• INTRODUCTION TO FILTERS AND EFFECTS :
• Using Filters and Effects, Controlling object attributes with the Appearance palette, Intro to Illustrator’s 3D rendering effect n Creating a 3D shape using Revolve Modifying the light source
• SYMBOLS :
• Understanding how Symbols work, Creating and editing symbols, Adding symbols to a document, Modifying symbols sets with the Sumbols tool set
• WORKING WITH TYPE :
• Creating Point, Path and Area type, Importing text, Applying character and paragraph formatting, Wrapping text around image, Threading text, Creating and applying Character and Paragraph Styles, Creating Outlines
• CREATING COMPLEX ILLUSTRATIONS :
• Creating compound paths with the Pathfinder palette, Creating compound shapes using the path finder palette, Offset Paths, Outline Paths, Expanding objects, Working with Basic Tools