adobe illustrator chapter 1 notes pages 1-2 –1-75 mrs. leonard

Adobe IllustratorAdobe IllustratorChapter 1 NotesChapter 1 Notes

Pages 1-2 –1-75Pages 1-2 –1-75

Mrs. LeonardMrs. Leonard

Getting to Know IllustratorGetting to Know Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator CS5 is a professional Adobe Illustrator CS5 is a professional illustration software application created by illustration software application created by the Adobe Systems.the Adobe Systems.

With Illustrator, you can create everything With Illustrator, you can create everything from simple graphics, icons, and text to from simple graphics, icons, and text to complex and multilayered illustrations.complex and multilayered illustrations.All can be used within a page layout, in a All can be used within a page layout, in a

multimedia presentation, or on the Web.multimedia presentation, or on the Web.

Creating a New DocumentCreating a New Document

When you begin a new document, you will When you begin a new document, you will use the New Document dialog box.use the New Document dialog box.

In this box you can specify:In this box you can specify:Name of the documentName of the documentDocument sizeDocument sizePage orientationPage orientationUnit of measureUnit of measureColor modeColor mode

Touring the Illustrator Touring the Illustrator WorkspaceWorkspace

The arrangement of windows and panels The arrangement of windows and panels you see on your monitor is called the you see on your monitor is called the workspaceworkspace

Title bar—contains the name of your Title bar—contains the name of your document, magnification level, and color document, magnification level, and color modemode

Artboard—the area which you create your Artboard—the area which you create your artworkartwork

Touring the Illustrator WindowTouring the Illustrator Window

Scratch Area—area outside the artboard Scratch Area—area outside the artboard where you can store objects before where you can store objects before placing them on the artboard; objects on placing them on the artboard; objects on the scratch area will not printthe scratch area will not print

Tools panel—contains tools that let you Tools panel—contains tools that let you create, select, and manipulate objects in create, select, and manipulate objects in IllustratorIllustrator


Control Panel—Contains options for Control Panel—Contains options for stroke, fill, style, opacity, document setup, stroke, fill, style, opacity, document setup, and preferencesand preferences

Application bar—contains All the Application bar—contains All the Illustrator menus (File, Edit, Object, Type, Illustrator menus (File, Edit, Object, Type, etc.)etc.)

Workspace Switcher—button that allows Workspace Switcher—button that allows you to switch between defined workspaces you to switch between defined workspaces


Panels dock—Clicking a panel thumbnail Panels dock—Clicking a panel thumbnail or icon, opens the panel as well as any or icon, opens the panel as well as any other panels with which it is grouped. other panels with which it is grouped. Don’t confuse grouping with docking. Don’t confuse grouping with docking. When you dock panels, you connect the When you dock panels, you connect the bottom edge of one panel to the top edge bottom edge of one panel to the top edge of another panel, so that both move of another panel, so that both move together. together.

Choosing Color Modes & Choosing Color Modes & Document SizeDocument Size

Generally, CMYK color is the color mode Generally, CMYK color is the color mode used for print projects.used for print projects.Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, BlackCyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black

RGB color is the color mode use for RGB color is the color mode use for projects that will appear on a screen, such projects that will appear on a screen, such as a monitor or television.as a monitor or television.Red, Green, BlueRed, Green, Blue

Choosing a Unit of MeasureChoosing a Unit of Measure

Precision is often a key to good design, Precision is often a key to good design, and many designers choose points and and many designers choose points and picas as units of measure.picas as units of measure.

A point is 1/72 of an inch.A point is 1/72 of an inch.A pica is 12 points, or 1/6 of an inch.A pica is 12 points, or 1/6 of an inch.

Choosing a Unit of MeasureChoosing a Unit of Measure

Defining your artboard in points and picas Defining your artboard in points and picas versus inches is a matter of personal versus inches is a matter of personal preference.preference.

Rulers are positioned at the top and left Rulers are positioned at the top and left side of the pasteboard to help you align side of the pasteboard to help you align objects. objects.

Choosing Screen ModesChoosing Screen Modes

Screen modes are options for viewing your Screen modes are options for viewing your documents.documents.NormalNormalOutlineOutline

You will work in Normal mode most of the You will work in Normal mode most of the time. Using this mode, you see all your time. Using this mode, you see all your objects with fills and strokes and whatever objects with fills and strokes and whatever effects you might have applied.effects you might have applied.

Choosing Screen ModesChoosing Screen Modes

Outline mode displays all your objects only Outline mode displays all your objects only as hollow shapes with no fills or strokes. as hollow shapes with no fills or strokes. This mode can sometimes be helpful for This mode can sometimes be helpful for selecting various objects that are selecting various objects that are positioned close together. positioned close together.

Understanding Bitmap Images Understanding Bitmap Images and Vector Graphicsand Vector Graphics

Computer graphics fall into two categories:Computer graphics fall into two categories:Bitmap imagesBitmap imagesVector GraphicsVector Graphics

Bitmap Images v. Vector GraphicsBitmap Images v. Vector Graphics

Bitmap images are created using a square Bitmap images are created using a square or rectangular grid of colored squares or rectangular grid of colored squares called pixels.called pixels.All digital and scanned images are composed All digital and scanned images are composed

of pixelsof pixelsPhotoshop is the leading graphics application Photoshop is the leading graphics application

for working with digital photos.for working with digital photos.The number of pixels in a given inch is The number of pixels in a given inch is

referred to as the image’s resolution.referred to as the image’s resolution.


To be effective, pixels must be small To be effective, pixels must be small enough to create an image with the illusion enough to create an image with the illusion of continuous tone.of continuous tone.

Therefore, bitmap images are termed Therefore, bitmap images are termed resolution-dependent.resolution-dependent.


Resizing a bitmap image means fewer Resizing a bitmap image means fewer pixels are available per inch.pixels are available per inch.

A decrease in resolution will have a A decrease in resolution will have a negative impact on the quality of the negative impact on the quality of the image.image.

The greater the magnification, the greater The greater the magnification, the greater the negative impact.the negative impact.


Graphics you create in Adobe Illustrator Graphics you create in Adobe Illustrator are vector graphics.are vector graphics.

Vector graphics are created with lines and Vector graphics are created with lines and curves and are defined by mathematical curves and are defined by mathematical objects called vectors.objects called vectors.

Vector graphics consist of anchor points Vector graphics consist of anchor points and line segments, together referred to as and line segments, together referred to as paths.paths.


Graphics you create in Illustrator are Graphics you create in Illustrator are vector graphicsvector graphics

As mathematical objects, vector graphics As mathematical objects, vector graphics can be scaled to any size.can be scaled to any size.

Therefore, vector graphics are termed Therefore, vector graphics are termed resolution-independent.resolution-independent.

This means that any graphic you create in This means that any graphic you create in Illustrator can be output to fit on a postage Illustrator can be output to fit on a postage stamp or on a billboard!stamp or on a billboard!

Illustrator Chapter 1 Assessment Illustrator Chapter 1 Assessment QuestionsQuestions

Directions: Type the questions and bold Directions: Type the questions and bold your answers. Save!your answers. Save!

1.1. What is Adobe Illustrator?What is Adobe Illustrator?2.2. List the two different color modes and List the two different color modes and

explain when you might use each.explain when you might use each.3.3. List the three units of measure you can List the three units of measure you can

choose to use in Illustrator.choose to use in Illustrator.4.4. Explain the difference between bitmap Explain the difference between bitmap

and vector images.and vector images.

adobe illustrator chapter 1 notes pages 1-2 –1-75 mrs. leonard

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