🖌️Graphic Design Unit 9 – Vector Graphics with Adobe Illustrator

What's Vector Graphics?

• Vector graphics use mathematical equations to represent images using lines, curves, and shapes
• Resolution-independent scalability enables vector graphics to be resized without losing quality
• Consist of paths connected by points called anchors or nodes
• Paths can be straight lines or curves (Bézier curves)
  • Bézier curves are defined by anchor points and handles that control the curve's shape
• Ideal for logos, illustrations, and designs that require clean lines and scalability
• File formats include AI (Adobe Illustrator), EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), and SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)

Getting Started with Illustrator

• Adobe Illustrator is a powerful vector graphics editor used by designers and artists
• Create a new document by selecting a preset or specifying custom dimensions, units, and color mode
• Familiarize yourself with the main tools and panels (Tools panel, Control panel, Layers panel)
• Use the Tools panel to access various tools for creating, selecting, and manipulating objects
• Control panel provides context-sensitive options for the selected tool or object
• Layers panel helps organize and manage the stacking order of objects in your artwork

Essential Tools and Workspace

• Selection tools: Move, Direct Selection, and Group Selection tools for selecting and manipulating objects
• Shape tools: Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, and Star tools for creating basic shapes
• Pen tool: Create precise paths and curves by placing and connecting anchor points
• Type tool: Add and edit text in your artwork
• Artboards: Create multiple artboards within a single document for different variations or sizes of your design
• Rulers, guides, and grids help align and position objects precisely
• Customize your workspace by arranging panels and saving custom workspaces

Creating Basic Shapes and Objects

• Use shape tools to create rectangles, ellipses, polygons, and stars
  • Click and drag to create shapes with the desired size
  • Hold Shift while dragging to constrain proportions (perfect squares, circles)
• Combine basic shapes using Pathfinder panel operations (Unite, Minus Front, Intersect, Exclude)
• Adjust the appearance of shapes using the Appearance panel (fill color, stroke color, stroke weight)
• Transform objects using the Free Transform tool or Transform panel (scale, rotate, shear, reflect)
• Create compound paths to treat multiple paths as a single object (Object > Compound Path > Make)

Working with Color and Gradients

• Apply fill and stroke colors using the Color panel, Swatches panel, or Color Picker
• Create and save custom colors in the Swatches panel
• Use the Eyedropper tool to sample colors from existing objects or images
• Apply gradients to objects using the Gradient panel
  • Linear gradients create a smooth transition between colors along a straight line
  • Radial gradients create a circular transition between colors
• Adjust gradient colors, midpoints, and angles using the Gradient Tool
• Apply gradient meshes for complex, photorealistic shading effects (Object > Create Gradient Mesh)

Mastering Paths and Pen Tool

• Pen tool is essential for creating precise, editable paths
• Click to place anchor points and create straight line segments
• Click and drag to create smooth, curved segments (Bézier curves)
• Modify paths using the Direct Selection tool and anchor point controls
  • Convert anchor points between smooth and corner points
  • Adjust curve handles to refine the shape of curved segments
• Add or remove anchor points using the Add Anchor Point and Delete Anchor Point tools
• Join paths using the Join tool or by selecting two endpoints and pressing Command/Ctrl + J
• Create complex shapes by combining and subtracting paths using the Shape Builder tool or Pathfinder panel

Typography in Illustrator

• Use the Type tool to add text to your artwork
• Create point type for single lines of text or area type for paragraphs
• Format text using the Character and Paragraph panels (font, size, leading, kerning, alignment)
• Convert text to outlines (Type > Create Outlines) for further manipulation and customization
• Apply text on a path to make text follow the shape of a path or object
• Use the Touch Type tool to manipulate individual characters (scale, rotate, reposition)
• Create text effects using the Appearance panel and effects like 3D, warp, or drop shadows

Advanced Techniques and Effects

• Apply appearance attributes (fill, stroke, effects) to objects using the Appearance panel
• Use live effects to apply non-destructive modifications to objects (Effect > Distort & Transform, Stylize, Warp)
• Create and apply graphic styles to quickly apply a set of appearance attributes to multiple objects
• Use the Blend tool to create smooth transitions between two objects (colors, shapes, or both)
• Apply clipping masks to hide portions of an object or group using the shape of another object
• Create seamless patterns using the Pattern Options panel and Pattern Maker tool
• Experiment with 3D effects to add depth and perspective to your artwork (Effect > 3D)

Exporting and File Management

• Save your Illustrator files in the native AI format for easy editing and future modifications
• Export your artwork in various formats for different purposes (EPS, PDF, SVG, PNG, JPEG)
  • EPS and PDF maintain vector information and are suitable for print
  • SVG is ideal for web and responsive designs
  • PNG and JPEG are raster formats for web and digital use
• Use the Asset Export panel to quickly export objects or artboards in multiple formats and sizes
• Organize your artwork using layers and groups in the Layers panel
• Use the Artboards panel to manage and rearrange artboards within your document
• Package your Illustrator files (File > Package) to collect all linked images, fonts, and assets for easy sharing