Description
Book SynopsisWhen you begin using vector illustration software it can be confusing and frustrating to even work out how to make a mark on the page - but this new hybrid approach to learning integrates tutorial videos and step-by-step projects to help you becoming confident in no time. Starting with first principles, this book introduces you to all the important tools and processes from the basics of Bezier curves to applying meshes so you can quickly and efficiently create your own designs. As you learn each skill there are projects for you to try out, and by the end of the book you'll build up to a major design project to put all your new abilities into practice.
Table of ContentsIntroduction: I get it! My first vector experiences How the book works Project Pages explanation: The long running project
1. Interface and the Basics Workspace options Navigation Tool names, functions, quick keys chart Getting Started: Document Set-up and Layers Formats for saving your work
2. Making Marks Simple Mark Making Commanding Vectors Width Tool and its brethren Nesting Strokes (Appearance menu)
Independent Projects to Engage in: Multiple Strokes
Project Pages Chapter 3: Taking Shape · Ellipses, Rectangles, Polygons…oh my! · Compound Shapes (Pathfinder) · Rotate, Reflect, Scale, and Skew tools
Independent Projects to Engage in: Symbol Development Advanced Option: Logo Design
Project Pages 4. Colour: Beyond the Default Swatches Colour Modes Colour Books Making a Swatch, Colour Groups, and Colour Theme Basic Gradient Tool
Independent Projects to Engage in: Logo Colorizing
Project Pages 5. Sketches Alive! Bringing your traditional skills into Illustrator Placing your scanned or captured sketches Introducing the Live Trace Control Bar Live Paint Bucket tool
Independent Projects to Engage in: 105 Animal Sketches Advanced Project:
Theatre/Play Poster and repurpose
Project Pages 6. Type in Illustrator Introducing the Type tools Introducing the Glyph, Character and Paragraph panels Why Style Sheets? Envelopes: Warp, Mesh, Top Object Creating Outlines
Independent Projects to engage in: Glyph Development
Project Pages 7. Pattern vs Symbols Introduce Pattern Making Panel Introducing the Symbol Tools Masking Multiple Fills in the Appearance menu
Independent Projects to engage in: Pattern Making with your Glyph
Project Pages 8. Gradient Mesh Introducing Mesh Applying a mesh to a gradient
Independent Projects to engage in: It’s in the Cards
Project Pages 9. 3-D rendering Extrude Bevel Rotate Revolve and Map Art
Independent Projects to engage in: It’s in the Cards
Project Pages 10. Perspective Grid Navigating the Perspective grid Applying & releasing items to the grid
Independent Projects to engage in: It’s in the Cards
Project Pages 11. Graph Tool Creating a simple Bar graph in illustrator Importing data from excel Customizing your graph’s style Caution: Statistics can lie; Don’t be a liar
Independent Projects to engage in: Infographic
Project Pages 12. Land of the forgotten tools: Blend Tool: Fun with highlights Eraser, Scissors, Knife…oh my! The Slice Tool is not for cutting and dividing.
Glossary Index
