Intro to Illustrator Tutorials
intro_to_illustrator_checklist.pdf | |
File Size: | 63 kb |
File Type: |
Illustrator....Let's start here!
The Tools
You have been given a copy of the Illustrator Tools Worksheet, also available for download to the right. You will need to complete this sheet before moving on to the activities below. It is always a good idea to get familiar with where various tools are located and what the keyboard shortcuts are. You will be turning this into the bin to Mr. Goble for a classwork grade. Keep this sheet as a reference for later on.
|
|
The Pen Tool
The Pen tool is the best tool in your illustrator toolbox. Once you have mastered this tool, it opens up so many different drawing possibilities to you. It allows you to create very simple shapes to very complex ones. You have used this tool once before in Photoshop in the Graffiti project, but now we will explore it in greater depth.
Let's start with The Bezier Game, the link is to the right. You will spend 15-20 minutes on this game. When the 15-20 minutes are up, Mr. Goble will record your score. The game is to help start you off with the fundamentals of creating basic shapes using the pen tool. Next, download the pentool exercise .AI file to the right to start this lesson on using the Pen Tool. You simply follow the numbers and the instructions to complete the exercise. The point you need to aim at in each step is the center of each numbered colored dot. The top layer is the"working layer". This is the layer you'll be working on. Make sure your fill color is empty so you don't block the directions. There are 3 different colors: blue, red and green.
|
Extras:
|
Shapes
Now that you have mastered the Pen tool, next we will work on how to use the shapes already built into Illustrator. Start with downloading the Basic Shapes.AI file to the right.
You will need to create the shapes found in the tutorial on the first Art Board. Follow these directions to show how to use basic shapes to create new ones. On the second Art Board, create the shapes you find in the file here without a guide, using ONLY other shapes, create the shapes you see here. Create the shapes on Layer 1. Save this as Last Name + First Name + Basic Shapes and put it into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
Extras:
|
Pathfinder
Sometimes it is easier to work with 2 shapes to create an object than to draw the entire thing by hand. In this lesson you will be creating some basic shapes following the step by step directions on both worksheets. Its a simple one! Download the Pathfinder worksheet .AI file first. Using the shapes I provided, select these and follow the directions to create new shapes.
Now download the Pathfinder Advanced . AI file. Just create the shapes shown in the original. Use the pathfinder tool indicated in the directions. Your goal is to make YOURS look like MINE. Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Pathfinder worksheet and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
Extras:
|
Alignment
Learning to let Illustrator do some of the work for you is always best. Using the alignment tool is super helpful in making sure all of your elements are perfectly placed. Download the Alignment worksheet .AI file found to the right, and following the instructions to complete the 4 activities.
Simply select the objects I have provided and use the alignment tools in the instructions. Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Alignment worksheet and put it into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
|
Image Trace
Learning to use the Image Trace function can be very helpful when drawing in Illustrator. Download the image of the lions to the right and the Image Trace Worksheet .AI file. Drag the image into each box on the worksheet in Illustrator and select the image. Select the Image Trace menu and create the image as 4 separate image trace images and look at how it changes:
|
Extras:
|
Type
The Type tool can be used for more than simple text boxes, especially when used along with the pen tool. Download the Type Tool worksheet .AI file found to the right, and following the instructions to complete the 9 activities.
Use the examples I have provided for you to create your own version. Yours do not have the be the exact same, but rather demonstrate that you have mastered the tool. Use the video to the right for further instructions after the class demonstration. Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Period + Type worksheet and and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
|
Gradients
Learning to use gradients is a fundamental in creating more realistic drawings in Illustrator. Download the Gradient worksheet to the right, and follow the instructions and create the 4 gradients. The 4th question asks you to create a Gradient Mesh egg, once you draw your oval, select it and go to the Object menu > select Create Gradient mesh. You will use the Direct Select tool to isolate the anchor point whose color you wish to change. Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Gradient worksheet and and put it into your Intro to Illustrator Folder.
|
|
Layers
You will need to download the Layering Activity.AI file found to the right. Use the instructions in How to Organize Layers and the Youtube Video in order to group and rearrange the layers in order to optimize and fix the .AI file I have given you. Use the image found to right to see what the final drawing is suppose to look like. Be carful to make sure you get all the layers group together so all things are visible. Create layers for each ghost, the jack-o-latern, and the background and name each layer accordingly. Then put all the shapes and paths in the correct order to make your image match my image.
Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Period + Layers and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
|
YAY!! You finished!! So why haven't you turned in your folder yet??
Make sure your folder contains the following:
- Pen Tool Exercise
- Basic Shapes
- Pathfinder
- Pathfinder Advanced
- Alignment
- Image Trace
- Gradients
- Layering