Course Workbook
Adobe Illustrator CS6
Class Files CD included (works on Mac & PC)
ISBN: 978-1-934624-84-5
WHY OUR BOOKS ARE UNIQUE
Our books are packed with step-by-step exercises that walk you through projects. You’ll learn by doing exercises, not reading long explanations commonly found in user manuals. The goal is to give you hands-on practice with the program, getting you started quickly with the things that are most important for real life work. Our books are not a replacement for the manual, but manuals aren’t how you learn an app!
OUR GUARANTEE
Not satisfied? Mail the book back to us within 30 days and we’ll refund the full price including shipping! You only pay for the shipping back to us.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT YOU LEARN
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Use Layers and Live Color to quickly make big changes.
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Learn the Brush tool, Live Trace, and its cousin Live Paint.
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Use styles to keep your designs consistent and flexible.
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Learn to use Colors, Gradients, Blend Modes, and Strokes.
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Get going with Clipping Masks and Blob Brushes.
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Master package design with 3D Effects.
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Learn Compound Paths and Group Selection.
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Learn to use Photoshop and Illustrator together to get the best of both worlds.
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After this exercise your Illustrator skills WILL be smokin’.
Table of Contents
We break the book down into 3 hour class sessions. If you are doing the exercises on your own (not in a class), you can expect to take around 3 hours per session.
Section 1
Setting Preferences: Do This Exercise First!
Topics
- Setting Up Preferences and Workspaces
Straight Lines
Topics
- Using the Pen Tool
- Adjusting the Workspace
- Arranging Objects
- Color Fills
Curves
Topics
- Drawing Curves (Pen Tool)
- Anchor Points and Direction Points
- Default Fill and Stroke
Corners and Curves
Topics
- Drawing Corners and Curves (Pen Tool)
- Adjusting Anchor Points
Section 2
No Smoking Sign
Topics
- Fill and Stroke
- Basic Shape Tools
- Grouping Objects
- Layers Panel
- Working with Templates
- Saving Illustrator Files: Options
Super Hero
Topics
- Live Trace and Live Paint
- Tracing Hand-Drawn Images
- Coloring Live Paint Objects
- Brushes
- Flare Tool
Section 3
What’s Behind the Green Door?
Topics
- Compound Paths
- Group Selection Tool
Mask Till You Drop
Topics
- Clipping Masks (Shapes)
- Blob Brush Tool
- Eraser Tool
- Reflect Tool
Masking with Type
Topics
- Type Tool
- Clipping Masks (Editable Type)
- Filling Text with a Photo
- Placing Linked Images
3D Shape: Milk Duds Box
Topics
- 3D Extrude & Bevel
- Creating Symbols from Artwork
- Mapping Symbols onto 3D Objects
- Lighting and Shadows for 3D Objects
Section 4
Will It Blend?
Topics
- Blend Tool
- Blending Options
Wavy Line Blend
Topics
- Blending Lines
- Reflect Tool
- Rotate Tool
Juggling Colors and Gradients
Topics
- Dashed Lines and Stroke Options
- Saving Colors as Swatches
- Blending Modes
- Gradient Tool
- Saving Gradient Swatches
Combining Shapes with the Pathfinder
Topics
- Merging Paths (Pathfinder)
- Transparency Options
- Grouping Objects
Section 5
Patterns
Topics
- Creating and Applying Pattern Swatches
- Scaling and Rotating Patterns
- Working with Layers
- Align Panel
One-Page Advertisement
Topics
- Working with Type
- Text and Character Options
- Adding a Drop Cap
- Type on a Path
- Text Wrap
- Fill Text with a Pattern
Stylin’ Effects
Topics
- Using the Appearance Panel
- Transparency
- Blending Modes
- Drop Shadows
- Arrowheads
Appearance and Graphic Styles
Topics
- Graphic Styles
- Appearance Panel
- Multiple Fills
- Auto-sizing Text Boxes
Section 6
Illustrating a Shirt Design
Topics
- Using Photoshop and Illustrator Together
- Creating/Editing Clipping Masks
- Compound Paths
Layers, Artboards & Recoloring Artwork
Topics
- Adding and Removing Layers
- Creating and Using Multiple Artboards
- Recoloring Artwork
- Converting CMYK Art to Spot Colors
Bonus Exercises
AT&T Logotype and Symbol
Topics
- Recreating a Logo Graphic and Text
- Drawing from a Scanned Template
Computerizing a Company Logo
Topics
- Placing Templates
- Converting Text to Outlines
- Subtract from Shape Area (Pathfinder)