Intro to Illustrator
Objectives:
3.00 Apply procedures to use Adobe Illustrator for visual communications.
3.01 Understand Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud interface and program settings.
3.02 Understand document structure for efficient workflow.
3.03 Apply procedures to create and modify visual elements Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud.
3.04 Apply procedures to save and export assets for specific purposes using Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud.
3.00 Apply procedures to use Adobe Illustrator for visual communications.
3.01 Understand Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud interface and program settings.
3.02 Understand document structure for efficient workflow.
3.03 Apply procedures to create and modify visual elements Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud.
3.04 Apply procedures to save and export assets for specific purposes using Adobe Illustrator Creative Cloud.
Illustrator....let's start here
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The Tools & The Workspace
Before you can really get started using Adobe Illustrator, you need to understand the program interface itself. Start by watching the Get to Know Illustrator HelpX video linked to the right and answer the questions on the worksheet provided. Follow along with the videos while you answer the questions. Make sure you are paying attention because this has some really great information to help you get started!
Save your worksheet as Last Name + First Name + Period + Get to know Ai and turn it into your teacher. Knowing how the program is laid out and what the tools are help you work more efficiently in the program. After reviewing the Illustrator Basics Presentation, you will then complete the 2 worksheets found to the right, These are PDF worksheets and to fill in your answers and save those answer, you must use a PDF Reader program. Save your worksheets as Last Name +First Name + Period + Ai Workspace and Last Name +First Name + Period + Ai Tools. Vertical Divider
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Worksheet:
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Understanding Artboards
Now that you are starting to understand Illustrator, understanding how to use Artboards is an important skill to have as well. Start by watching the Work with Artboards HelpX video linked to the right and answer the questions on the worksheet provided. Follow along with the videos while you answer the questions. Make sure you are paying attention because this has some really great information to help you get started!
Save your worksheet as Last Name + First Name + Period + Artbaords and turn it into your teacher. Vertical Divider
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Learning the Pen Tool
The Pen tool is the best tool in your illustrator toolbox. Once you have master 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. We will spend 1 hour on this game. When the hour is up, Scoggins 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.
For more practice, I had added another follow the instructions worksheet called vector pen tool exercise.AI sheet and the Adobe Pen Tool Game. Vertical Divider
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Pen Tool Extras:
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Curvature Pen ToolNext we are going to master the Curvature Pen Tool (Shift + `). This tool allows you to draw complexed curved objects quickly. To make a curved point straight, simply double click on any anchor point, either while you are drawing or after you finish. You can also add, remove, and adjust points using this dynamic tool.
Start by downloading the worksheet below. Use the video to help you if you get stuck! The goal is to make your paths and shapes match mine! Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Period + Curvature worksheet and and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. Vertical Divider
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Worksheet:
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Basic Shapes & Lines
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 worksheet .AI file to the right.
Start by learning to draw these basic shapes found in Illustrator. Next following the directions on the worksheet learn to manipulate shapes using different tools. Then learn to draw different styles of lines. And finally following the directions on the worksheet, learn to create more complex shapes. Save this as Last Name + First Name + Period + Basic Shapes and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. Vertical Divider
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Worksheet:
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Basic Shapes Extras:
On this Worksheet, 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.
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Adjusting ObjectsNow that you have learned the Pen Tool and Basic Shapes, knowing how to manipulate a existing drawing is also extremely helpful. We will use the Select Tool, the Direct Select Tool, the Anchor Point Tool, the Add and Remove Anchor Point tool to do this activity. Start by downloading the worksheet below. Use the video to help you if you get stuck! The goal is to make your objects match mine!
Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Period + Adjusting Objects worksheet and and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. Vertical Divider
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Worksheet:
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The Pathfinder Panel
Sometimes it is easier to work with 2 shapes to than to draw the entire thing by hand. In this lesson you will be working with how to manipulate shapes using the pathfinder panel. Then you will start to create some basic shapes yourself using my drawings in 1-4 to help you get started and then you will create your own shapes using the pathfinder panel to figure out which options you need to do.
Watch the video to help you follow the step by step directions on how to do the worksheet. Its a simple one! Download the Pathfinder Panel worksheet .AI file first. Start by using the circle and stat shapes I provided, select these and select the pathfinder command show to see how each command works, then do it again followed by selecting outlines to see exactly how the shapes now look. Next, start on page 3, Recreate the first 4 shapes first, using the shapes shown to help you to create new shapes. Then try the last 4 on your own! How can the pathfinder panel help create all kinds of new shapes? Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Period + Pathfinder worksheet and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
Worksheet:
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Pathfinder Extras:
If you get finished early, 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.
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The Align Panel
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 + Period + Alignment worksheet and and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
Worksheet:
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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 and Image Trace Worksheet .AI file. Drag the lion image in to the worksheet and place a copy into each box on the worksheet in Illustrator and select the image.
For the Image Trace: Lions, select the Image Trace menu and create the image as 4 separate image trace images and look at how it changes:
Next you will select the Sugar Skull image on the 2nd Artboard and decided which type of Image Trace is best for this. Once you have created it as an object you will manipulate the different pieces and color your sugar skull. When you have finished both portions of the worksheet, save the file as Last Name + First Name + Period + Image Trace and and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder. |
Worksheet:
Image Trace Extras:
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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. |
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Gradients
Learning to use gradients in 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. Think about the demonstration Scales did in class!
Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Period + Gradient worksheet and and put into your Intro to Illustrator Folder.
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Worksheet:
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Artboards and GuidesThe ability to use the artboard tool will come in hand as you start creating projects in different sizes with more than 1 page. Download the worksheet below to get started. The directions are in the .Ai file.
Save your file as Last Name + First Name + Period + Artboards worksheet and and turn in to Google Classroom. |
Worksheet: NEW updates!
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Layers Panel
You will need to download the Layering Activity.AI file found to the right. Use the instructions in the Layers Panel 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 careful 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. |
Worksheet: NEW updates!
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HelpX: Organizing Cont with Layers
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