adobe illustrator CS3

This bigrockdesigns training course will teach the basics of this application to new and experienced users alike. He move into Illustrator CS3's new features, demonstrating how to use each of the tools to its full potential. From the interface to the intricacies of the drawing tools, from transforming, editing, and positioning objects to applying filters and live effects and more

Course Outline

Introduction

• Why use Illustrator?
• What are vector graphics?
• Understanding paths
• Fill and stroke attributes
• Selections and stacking order

Creating Illustrator Documents

• The Welcome screen
• Important document settings

The Illustrator Interface

• Exploring panels and workspaces
• Using the control panel
• Navigating within a document
• Using guides and grids
• Utilizing the bounding box
• Using smart guides
• Choosing preview options

Basic Drawing

• Using the basic shapes tools
• Drawing with the Pen tool
• Drawing with the Pencil tool
• Painting with the Paintbrush tool

Basic Path Editing

• Creating compound shapes
• Utilizing pathfinder functions
• Using the Eraser tool
• Joining and averaging paths
• Outlining strokes
• Simplifying paths

Basic Text Editing

• Creating point text
• Creating area text
• Applying basic character settings
• Applying basic paragraph settings
• Creating text threads
• Creating text on a path
• Converting text to outlines

Making Selections

• Using the basic selection tools
• Using the Magic Wand and the Lasso tool
• Selecting objects by attribute
• Saving and reusing selections

Understanding Appearances

• Targeting object attributes
• Adding multiple attributes
• Applying live effects
• Expanding appearances
• Creating graphic styles
• Modifying graphic styles
• Appearance palette settings
• Copying appearance

Working with Groups and Layers

• Defining groups
• Editing groups
• Working with layers
• Layers and object hierarchy
• Creating template layers
• Object, group, and layer attributes

Advanced Drawing and Path Editing

• Creating Live Paint groups
• Detecting gaps in Live Paint groups
• Path editing with Live Paint
• Using Offset Path
• Dividing an object into a grid
• Cleaning up errant paths

Working with Color

• Defining swatches
• Creating swatch groups and libraries
• Working with gradients
• Working with patterns
• Using the Color Guide
• Experimenting with color
• Finding colors with kuler
• Modifying color in artwork

Object Transformation and Positioning

• Rotating and scaling objects
• Reflecting and skewing objects
• Using the Free Transform tool
• Using the Transform panel
• Aligning objects
• Distributing objects

Using Brushes

• Creating a calligraphic brush
• Creating a scatter brush
• Creating an art brush
• Creating a pattern brush

Working with Masks

• Understanding clipping masks
• Using layer clipping masks
• Creating opacity masks

Using Symbols

• Defining symbols
• Editing symbols
• Using the Symbolism toolset

Applying Filters and Live Effects

• Minding your resolution settings
• Mapping artwork to 3D objects
• Using the Transform effect
• Using the Pathfinder effects
• Using the Stylize effects
• Using the Scribble effect
• Using the Warp effect

Advanced Text Editing

• Taking advantage of OpenType fonts
• Using the Glyphs panel
• Wrapping text around objects
• Checking spelling
• Using the Change Case function
• Setting tabs and leaders
• Managing fonts
• Dealing with legacy text

Designing for the Web

• Using Pixel Preview
• Specifying web slicing
• Optimizing web graphics
• Creating simple animations

Creating Blends

• Creating a basic blend
• Using a blend to create an airbrush effect
• Using a blend to create an animation
• Using a blend to evenly distribute objects

Working with Images

• Placing images
• Using the Links panel
• The Edit Original workflow
• Live Trace
• Rasterizing artwork
• Object mosaic

Performing Specialized Tasks

• Creating graphs
• Creating a lens flare
• Using Gradient Mesh
• Using Envelope Warps
• Using the Liquify Distortion tools

Saving and Printing

• Saving your Illustrator document
• Printing your Illustrator document
• Using the Crop Area tool
• Setting up page tiling
• Adding XMP metadata

Working with Other Programs

• Exporting files for use in QuarkXPress
• Exporting files for use in InDesign
• Exporting files for use in Word/Excel/PowerPoint
• Exporting files for use in Photoshop
• Exporting files for use in Flash
• Exporting files for use in After Effects
• Migrating from FreeHand

Summary Who should do this course This course is ideal for the learner with sound PC or MAC skills. You wish to learn the concepts and techniquire required to make complex excting illustraoions