Getting Started With Adobe Illustrator
We have been learning a lot about Photoshop, which is primarily a photo editing program. We have been doing a little bit of drawing with Photoshop, but there is a better program for that... Adobe Illustrator!
Photoshop=photographs. Illustrator=illustration (drawing).
Illustrator is another big program, just like Photoshop. There are some similarities, and a lot of differences! Photoshop deals mostly with raster images, where you manipulate pixels. Illustrator works with vectors (lines defined by a formula- just like the ones you will learn about in math), where you manipulate paths.
Most of the drawing we do in Illustrator will be done with the Pen Tool.
Photoshop=photographs. Illustrator=illustration (drawing).
Illustrator is another big program, just like Photoshop. There are some similarities, and a lot of differences! Photoshop deals mostly with raster images, where you manipulate pixels. Illustrator works with vectors (lines defined by a formula- just like the ones you will learn about in math), where you manipulate paths.
Most of the drawing we do in Illustrator will be done with the Pen Tool.
Drawing paths with the pen tool:
Lines are called paths in Illustrator. The pen tool is the most precise way to draw paths in Illustrator. A path is made by clicking with the pen tool. Each click creates an anchor point. Regular clicking creates a corner anchor point. Clicking and dragging creates a smooth anchor point. The points are connected with path segments. Together, path segments create complex lines and shapes.
Mastering the Pen Tool
Below are some worksheets that will increase your skills with the pen tool. Click on the image to see it larger.
Be sure to lock the layer you paste the worksheet on to, then make a new layer to draw on.
Be sure to lock the layer you paste the worksheet on to, then make a new layer to draw on.
If you have an anchor point that has a curve on one side, and a straight line on the other, hover over that anchor point until you see a carrot. Click once to remove a handle. Click and drag to create a direction handle.
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When you need to break your direction handles (so they can move independently of each other), click and drag to make your smooth(curve) anchor point, then hold the option key, click on the tip of the direction handle and point it in the direction you need it to go.
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If you accidentally break your line, hover over the last anchor point you made, and click on the anchor point when you see the slash appear next to the pen tool icon. Then continue the line.
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Tracing Complex Images and Painting with Illustrator
Tracing complex images can be tricky for a number of reasons. For one, you have to think ahead to where you are making anchor points while you are drawing. Remember- the fewer the anchor points, the better the image will look! Also, remember to keep the image you are tracing on a separate layer from the paths you are making.
Coloring your drawing in Illustrator is A LOT different than in Photoshop... Click here for a tutorial on how to paint in Illustrator. |
Saving as a Jpg in Illustrator
In the JPEG Options window:
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