Notes:
Vectors never diminish unlike pixels
window > application frame - creates an application background to illustrator instead of keeping it see-through
Toolbars the same as indesign and photoshop
If you lose a toolbar - click window and workspace
To reset toolbars click window > workspace > reset essentials
Click double arrows at top of toolbar on left hand side to change toolbar columns from 1 - 2
Top two arrow tools in toolbar:
Black arrow: selection tool (shortcut V): will move whole objects as one
white arrow: direct selection tool (shortcut A): move a point/small area or a shape
File > new (to create new document)
If working to a size - set a size. this can be changed later but makes sense to set it accordingly
"number of artworks" = 2 canvases etc
If printing right to edge - set bleed to 3mm
for print: CMYK
for web: RGB
Set 300 dpi because this is if you change the vectors to pixel (as in open the file in photoshop of edit) and what amount of pixels it will open at
cmd 0 set page to fit screen
cmd + zoom in
cmd- zoom out
Space bar and drag moves canvass around
f = changes viewing screen mode (click it again and again to return to original)
Click shape tool (right click to see more shapes)
Create shapes
All shapes by default have a white fill and black stroke
Use swatches (4 down on right hand tool bar)
fill shapes with colour (have the one you want to fill selected with black arrow first)
To un-fill an object, click the fill square on the left hand toolbar and click square with red line through it for no fill)
Top tool bar:
Up stroke weight
Change its orientation around the shape
and then the next drop down changes its style
Click orange "stroke" at top of screen for stroke options
Create a shape
Hold shift and drag and it grows in proportion
Hold alt to grow shape from centre when dragging
To change the edges of a shape. select it with the white arrow and click the edge points until the lines appear then manipulate
window> pathfinder
object > arrange> bring to front
view> show grid
> snap to grid
Use arrow keys to move object
Hold shift and it moves faster along the grid
Using the align tool:
saving
click save>save as
When saving and wanting to save as a jpg file>export
tick "use art-boards" if you want the whole canvas to be saved and not just the artwork area
If saving as a png - it saves the document background as invisible (so anywhere where there isn't artwork)
Saving as jpeg will fill the background in
Screenshots of processes listed above
Thoughts
I have found this session to be extremely helpful and a great introduction to the software. I am still a little daunted by Illustrator - especially looking around and seeing how competent other students are. But I am eager to learn and see the potential in creating artwork using vectors.
I plan on using these notes when it comes to creating the final artwork for our new brief - I am sure they will help immensely.
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