Getting Started with Adobe Illustrator CS6
Objectives
Define illustration software
Start Adobe Illustrator CS6 and change preference settings
View the workspace
Create and save a document
Change the artboard size and close a document Open a document and change views
Get help
Work with ruler guides
Work with Smart Guides and exit Illustrator
Defining Illustration Software
Vector graphics
Graphics created in Adobe Illustrator
• Created with lines and curves
• Defined by mathematical objects (i.e., vectors)
Consist of anchor points and line segments
• Together referred to as paths
Render bold graphics with crisp lines
• Can be scaled to various sizes
Defining Illustration Software
With Illustrator, you can:
Create simple or complex illustrations
• Variety of simple shape and drawing tools
Apply process and spot colors
• Many swatch libraries
Create type
• Large blocks of text, large bold headlines, type on a path, or type that fills an object
Create gradient fills
• Multicolor blend that fills objects or outlines
Defining Illustration Software
Transform and distort objects
• Scale, Rotate, Reflect, Shear
Export documents
• Flash movies (*.swf), Photoshop documents (*.psd), and JPEGs (*.jpg)
Work with Multiple Artboards
• Work on front and back of a design in one document
• Design differently-sized components of a project
Defining Illustration Software
FIGURE A-1: Vector graphic
Starting Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Changing Preference Settings
Illustrator can be started by:
Selecting the program application icon or by double-clicking it
• Depends on operating system
In Windows:
• Click the Start button and navigate to Adobe Illustrator CS6
In Mac:
• Open Finder, click hard drive icon, click
Applications, navigate to Adobe Illustrator CS6
Starting Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Changing Preference Settings
FIGURE A-2: Starting Illustrator CS6 (Windows)
Starting Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Changing Preference Settings
FIGURE A-2: Starting Illustrator (Macintosh)
Starting Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Changing Preference Settings
Setting preferences
You can make changes to Illustrator based on your personal preferences
• For example, you can change the color of
guides and Smart Guides, and specify whether documents are opened as tabbed or not
To open the Preferences dialog box, click Edit (Win) or Illustrator (Mac) on the Menu bar, point to Preferences, then click a
preference category
Viewing the Workspace
Workspace includes:
Tools panel
Status bar
Menu bar
Control panel
Additional panels
Essentials
Default workspace
Includes basic tools and panels
Viewing the Workspace
New workspace
Click Workspace switcher in Menu bar
Click Essentials
Modify using Control panel
Custom workspaces
Used for specific types of projects
• Click Window on Menu bar
• Point to Workspace
• Click one of the nine workspace names
Viewing the Workspace
FIGURE A-3: The Illustrator workspace
Creating and Saving a Document
Creating a new document
Start by making choices in New Document dialog box
• Artboard name, size, and number
Save As command
Save a document with a new name
Save recent changes
New Document Profile menu
Specifies type of document needed
Creating and Saving a Document
FIGURE A-4: New Document dialog box
Creating and Saving a Document
FIGURE A-5: Save As dialog box
Changing the Artboard Size and Closing a Document
Changing artboard size
Click Artboard tool on Tools panel
Dotted lines appear around selected artboard
Drag an edge or change width and height values on Control panel
Exit artboard mode
Click any tool on Tools panel
Changing the Artboard Size and Closing a Document
FIGURE A-6: Manually resizing the artboard
Changing the Artboard Size and Closing a Document
FIGURE A-7: Left artboard is resized
Changing the Artboard Size and Closing a Document
Close a document
Click Close button on document title or document tab
Working in artboard mode
Many ways to work with multiple artboards
Click Artboard tool on Tools panel to enter artboard mode
Opening a Document and Changing Views
Opening Illustrator documents
Preview mode
• Shows fill and stroke colors
• Shows how each object is layered
Outline mode
• Shows only the vector outline
Bounding box
Selection box that appears when object is selected an object
Contains resize handles
Opening a Document and Changing Views
Creating new views
Artboard area can be defined and saved as named view
• Can be selected from View menu
New View feature
• Allows creation of window views of specific sections of the artboard
Opening a Document and
Changing Views
Getting Help
Help feature
Can be accessed while working in Illustrator
Provides articles on specific Illustrator topics, videos, and tutorials
• Click Help on Menu bar
• Click Illustrator Help
• Illustrator Help page of Adobe.com website opens
Getting Help
FIGURE A-10: Adobe Illustrator CS6 Help screen
Getting Help
FIGURE A-11: Improved user interface page
Getting Help
FIGURE A-12: Panels information
Working with Ruler Guides
Ruler guides
Vertical and horizontal lines useful for aligning objects on the artboard
Created using the horizontal and vertical rulers in the workspace
Can be locked or unlocked
Can be moved, deleted, and hidden
Working with Ruler Guides
FIGURE A-13: Viewing the rulers in Illustrator
Working with Ruler Guides
FIGURE A-14: Viewing the horizontal guide
Working with Ruler Guides
FIGURE A-15: Viewing the vertical guide
Working with Smart Guides and Exiting Illustrator
Smart Guides
Visual aids that work alongside ruler guides
Useful when you need to be precise about alignment of objects and for moving objects
Appear as you drag the mouse pointer over the artboard
Working with Smart Guides and Exiting Illustrator
FIGURE A-16: Viewing Smart Guides
Working with Smart Guides and Exiting Illustrator
FIGURE A-17: Aligning the center of the two objects
Working with Smart Guides and Exiting Illustrator
FIGURE A-18: Result of moving the diamond
Summary
Define illustration software
Start Adobe Illustrator CS6 and change preference settings
View the workspace
Create and save a document
Change the artboard size and close a document
Open a document and change views Get help
Work with ruler guides
Work with Smart Guides and exit Illustrator
