Illustrator

Level 1: Intro
2 Day Course - Online Training Schedule

Level 2: Intermediate
2 Day Course - Online Training Schedule

COURSE OUTLINE

Level 1: Intro - top

Application Overview
Vector vs. Raster based images
Starting the application
Opening files from the hard drive, and opening new files
Saving files, and choosing file formats
Setting Preferences and Color Settings

Overview of the Illustrator Workspace
Toolbox, palettes, hiding and docking palettes

Navigation
Getting around, and viewing images using the Navigator palette
Zooming in and out
Using the Hand tool
Custom views
Viewing images in Preview mode, and Artwork mode

Working With Color
Applying Fills and Strokes
Adjusting Stroke weight
Using the Swatches Palette
Dragging and dropping new colors to the Swatches Palette, and onto objects
Loading Custom color libraries
Using the color sliders to choose colors

Layers
Creating, viewing, reordering, linking, and moving
Locking layers

Object Tools
Using the Ellipse, Rectangle, Star, and Polygon tools
The Pen Tool
Creating curves and straight lines
Tracing objects with the Pen tool
Modifying Pen paths

Basic Key Commands

Manipulation of Objects and Object Transformation
Moving, duplicating, selecting and deselecting
Grouping and Ungrouping
Arranging objects
Locking objects
Aligning objects

The Selection Tools
The Selection tool, Group selection tool, and Direct selection tool

Pathfinder Filters
Using the Pathfinder filters to combine objects and paths

The Transformation Tools
Scaling, rotating, distorting, and Free Transforming objects

The Gradient Tool
Using the gradient tool
Creating and saving gradients

Rasterizing Objects
Creating and viewing objects as pixels

The Appearance Palette

Masking Objects
Using paths to mask objects
Adding layer masks to objects

The Transparency Palette
Adding transparency to objects

The Styles Palette
Using and creating new styles

Working With Text
Using the Text tools
Area Type
Type on a path
Vertical type
Converting type to outlines

Level 2: Intermediate - top
2 Day Course

Review
Review of basic path creation
Review of the Pen Tool
Review of File Formats

Blends
Basic shapes and colors
Complex blends for shadowing and highlighting
Making blends for use as animations

Advanced Editting Tools
Using the Scissors and Knife tools
Using the Eyedropper and Bucket tools
Using advanced Distortions tools
Using the Pencil and Smooth tools
Using the Simplify command

Patterns
Creating, editing, applying, and saving
Custom Patterns from Illustrator's Library
Seamless Patterns

Typography
Applying Effects to editable type
General Type effects

Web Usage
Previewing vector images as they will display in Pixels
Save for Web
When to use Gif or Jpeg
Saving SVG files
Saving in SWF format for use as Flash animations

Effects
Applying nondestructive visual effects to objects, images, and type
Creating editable shapes
Adding Drop Shadows and Glows

Actions
Automating repetitive tasks

Gradient Mesh Tool
Creating custom highlights and gradients for objects

The Styles Palette
Using, and creating new styles
Saving and editing styles

Artistic Brushes
Creating and saving artistic brushes

The Appearance Palette
Using the Appearance Palette to apply multiple strokes and fills

Blending Modes
Isolating Blending modes
Knockout Group Option

Compound Paths
Managing paths with holes
Working With Photoshop
Placing and embedding Photoshop files
Going back and forth between Illustrator and Photoshop
Using Photoshop files as tracing templates

Advanced Masking
Single and multiple masking objects
Using Clipping Masks and Opacity Masks
Importing Layer Masks from Photoshop
Using masks with the Layers Palette

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