Intro to Adobe Illustrator Vector Concepts

Art109MODULE 2:

Adobe Illustrator &the Vector Process

COPYRIGHT BY KAITLIN HANGER, PHD

TOPICS: Illustrator CS5 Basic mastery of vector images, digital drawing, & design elements:

ｷ Raster vs. vector artｷ Understanding vectors and Bezier curvesｷ Illustrator features & workspaceｷ Drawing with the pen toolｷ Fills, strokes, brush effectsｷ Understanding typography

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Bézier curves are used to model smooth arcs that can be scaled indefinitely & “losslessly.”

"Paths" link the curves you draw with a pen tool. Paths are not subject tothe pixelation of rasterized images.

(Bézier curves are also used in animation to control motion.)



BEZIERS ARE THE ELECTRONIC“FRENCH CURVE” INVENTEDBY ENGINEER PIERRE BEZIER

Paths







Paths

Paths are created with the pen tool.The pen tool, a bizarre yet valuable tool,

places anchor points to define a “path.” Paths define “objects.”

While it takes time to master this tool, it is worth every minute.

The shapes you end up with in vector are economical, clean, perfect, and precise.

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WHAT YOU’LL BE GLAD TO HEAR YOU DON’T HAVE TO LEARN…

“Given a set of n+1 control points P_0, P_1, ..., Pn, the corresponding Bézier curve is given byC(t)=sum_(i=0)^nP_iB_(i,n)(t),where B_(i,n)(t) is a Bernstein polynomial and t iS [0,1].



Benefits of vector Rescaleable integrity

“Try on” a variety of styles

Maintain several variations on one theme or object

Paths



Vary stroke





Vary fill

Vary effects







Achieve that unique “vector look” using modified brush strokes












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Maintain PerfectFidelity

















RASTER VECTOR















THE INTERFACE

TOOLS

THE INTERFACE



TEAROUT TOOLS

Interface

• PALETTES• (Panels)• (Windows)• Appearance: *stroke,

color & swatches(fill), gradient, paths (layers)

• Command Y



Complete the Two Introductory Practice Exercises (Due Mar. 9)

Practice Four (P4): Using the pen tool (in either PS or Illustrator), trace an object in a photo to create a silhouette or contour drawing (using paths and strokes). Use the fill function then to make parts of your image different values or colors. (2 points) Practice Five (P5): Use the pen, brushes, and shapes to create a simple object, geometric design, or complex symmetrical shape “from scratch”. (2 points)

CONTINUE YOUR SELF-PACED TUTORIAL TRAINING.

FOR LEARNING MODULE 2

Student Practice 4: Trace an Object



Refer to the online

“How-to”

for instructions on

tracing a photo

















Student Practice 5Examples: Draw Objects from Scratch












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Intro to Adobe Illustrator Vector Concepts

Design