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​Introduction to Illustrator

Illustrator Help
CREATING OBJECTS
Objects: set of anchor points connected by curved or straight segments
Path: edge of an object
  • Open: endpoints (lines)
    • Pencil = freeform lines
    • Paintbrush
      • Strokes categories = calligraphic, art
    • Line segment, arc segment
  • Closed: continuous (shapes)
    • Rectangle, ellipse, polygon, star = set number of anchor points
    • Pen = straight lines or curved lines with as many anchor points as desired
      • Direction lines = angle affects slope of the curve and length affects height of the curve (click for straight line, drag for curved)
PEN TOOL:  WATCH YOUR CURSOR!!
  • No symbol = create new line or shape
  • –  = add anchor point
  • x  = remove anchor point
  • >  = convert corner point to curved point
  • o  = close object
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SELECTION TOOLS:  WATCH YOUR CURSOR!!
  • Selection = select entire object (black arrow)
  • Direct selection = select parts of object (white arrow)
    • Black box = found a path
    • White box = found an anchor point

TRANSFORM TOOLS: WATCH YOUR CURSOR!!
  • Rotate = turn in any direction
    • HOLD SHIFT to turn object at a specific angle
  • Reflect = create mirror image
    • HOLD SHIFT to keep proportion
  • Shear = slants
  • Free Transform = rotate, scale, reflect, or shear
  • Blend = transform one shape into the next with a series of transitional shapes
STROKE & FILL:
  • Stroke = outline of a path
    • Default = 1 pt, black
  • Fill = inside of a path
    • Default = white
SHORTCUTS:
Cntrl C = Copy        *Tear off palettes by holding and dragging to end and letting go
Cntrl X = Cut            * Open tool options by double clicking on the tool
Cntrl V = Paste
Cntrl Z = Undo
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Swatches Palette

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Pathfinder Palette

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How to Trace an Image

Open or place a raster image in your Illustrator document.

With the placed image selected, do one of the following:
  • Choose Object > Image Trace > Make to trace with default parameters. Illustrator converts the image to black and white tracing result by default.
  • Click the Image Trace button in the Control panel or the Properties panel, or select a preset from the Tracing Presets button ().
  • Choose Window > Image Trace or switch to the Tracing workspace to open the Image Trace panel, and do one of the following:
    • Choose one of the default presets by clicking the icons on top of the panel. For details, see Specify tracing options | Preset.
    • Choose a preset from the Preset drop-down menu.
    • Specify the tracing options. For details, see Specify tracing options.

(Optional) Adjust the results of the tracing in the Image Trace panel (Window > Image Trace).

To convert the tracing object to paths and to manually editing the vector artwork, choose Object > Image Trace > Expand.

For a video on tracing, see Image Trace in Illustrator CS6 and later releases.
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Source: ​https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/image-trace.html

How to Create an Infographic

The Data Visualization Catalog
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Creating an Animated and
​Interactive Infographic
​
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 Chart & Graph Tools in Illustrator
The Design Ninja: Infographics Playlist
​
- Mix Graphs, Data Marker, Pie Chart, Donut Chart


​Additional Illustrator Resources

Adobe Illustrator User Guide

HOW TO'S:
How To Get Started in Illustrator
How To Create and Edit Shapes
How To Design and Draw with Shapes
How To Draw with the Pen, Curvature, or Pencil Tool
How To Change Color and Strokes
    • NOTE: If you are making shapes in Illustrator that you want the lasercutter to cut out, the stroke weight must be set to .02 pts
How to Create 3D Objects

​
Adobe MAX Sessions:
Getting Started in Illustrator
Illustrator Pro Tips

Mrs. Fisher's YouTube Playlist

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  • Home
  • Photography
    • TOPICS in Photography >
      • Exposure >
        • Depth of Field
      • Composition
      • Genres >
        • Abstract
        • Animals
        • Environmental
        • Motion
        • Nature & Landscape
        • Photojournalism
        • Portraits
        • Still Life
      • Photoshop >
        • Masking
        • Blending Images and Text
        • Photomontage
        • Duotone
        • Symmetrical Designs
      • Research Topics >
        • Early Photographic Inventions
        • Cameraless Photography
        • Modernism
        • Cross-Cultural Explorations
        • Women of Vision
        • Photographer Quotes
        • Careers
  • Yearbook
    • Topics in Yearbook >
      • Introduction to Yearbook >
        • Yearbook Vocabulary
        • Yearbook Staff Positions
      • Yearbook Photography
      • Theme, Voice, Coverage
      • Yearbook Design
      • Yearbook Writing
    • Creator Studio
    • Photo Sharing
  • STEAM
    • TOPICS in STEAM >
      • Functions in Art & Design
      • Elements and Principles
      • Gestalt
      • Visual Hierarchy
      • Illustrator
      • Design History >
        • Monument Design
      • STEAM Research
      • STEAM Challenges
    • TIL@FXC
  • Engineering
    • TOPICS in Engineering >
      • Design Phase 1
      • Design Phase 2
      • Design Phases 3-5
      • Engineering Vocabulary
    • Project Partners
    • EPICS@FXC
    • STEM@FXC >
      • Engineering Olympics
  • Get Inspired
    • Research Links >
      • Art Criticism
      • Themes & Artists
      • History of Visual Arts
    • Mind Mapping
    • Artist Statements
    • Poetry Festival
  • Get Involved