About Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator is a vector drawing program. It is often used to draw illustrations, cartoons, diagrams, charts and logos. Unlike bitmap images that stores information in a grid of dots, Illustrator uses mathematical equations to draw out the shapes. This makes vector graphics scalable without the loss of resolution.
Advantages of Vector Graphics
- Scalable without resolution loss
- Lines are crisp and sharp at any sizes
- Print at high resolution
- Smaller file size
- Good for drawing illustrations
Disadvantages of vector graphics
- Drawings tend to look flat and cartoon
- Hard to produce photo realistic drawings
Common Uses for Illustrator
1) Designing Logos
By: Draplin Design
2) Drawing Maps
3) Drawing Illustrations
By: Chih Hang
4) Infographics
5) Photorealistic Drawings
By: Kevin Hulsey
6) Packaging Design
By: sanna annukka
This are just a few examples of what Illustrator can do. If you have experience with Photoshop, you can bring your illustrations into Photoshop and enchance it. That’s how professional does it. During the next few days, I will be covering the basics of Illustrator so that you can produce your first vector art!
Next Lesson: Getting Started in Illustrator »
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July 15th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Can help but say “Drawings tend to look flat and cartoon” “Hard to produce photo realistic drawings” are seriously challenged by that realistic camera -
is there a link for Kevin Hulsey?
cheers
July 15th, 2008 at 5:23 am
I must agree with Alex. With the right use of Gradients and maybe some shaddows and masks, you can make nice 3D looking graphics. There are even 3D options available in illustrator.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Experts can produce super realistic drawings of products using gradients and gradient mesh in illustrator. However, if you were to produce a realistic drawing of mountains and rivers that I would say it would be a challenge. Illustrator is really not good at rendering textures other than smooth surfaces which can be achieved by gradients. And Kevin Hulsey is really one pro in technical illustration. Check out his portfolio. I have included the link.
July 16th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
[...] Week Day 1: What is Illustrator Day 2: Getting Started in Illustrator Day 3: Drawing Basic Shapes Day 4: Drawing with Pencil Tool [...]
July 29th, 2008 at 1:48 am
[...] Day 1: What is Illustrator [...]
July 30th, 2008 at 12:54 am
eXcelent resourse for beginners congrats!!!
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:40 am
Looking for a quick course, preferably during the evening time that will teach me to draw using illustrator quickly.Pleases give info., price if any and other details.
August 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
Hi Carl, I will recommend you Lynda’s video tutorial. Read my recommended list of tutorials here: http://www.istockdiary.com/reviews/the-best-illustrator-books-videos-for-learning/
August 8th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
very nice job
August 16th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
[...] Woche: Day 1: What is Illustrator Day 2: Getting Started in Illustrator Day 3: Drawing Basic Shapes Day 4: Drawing with Pencil Tool [...]
August 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
finally, i will be able to learn how to use the illustrator! bwahahaha!!!
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
[...] Uno Day 1: What is Illustrator Day 2: Getting Started in Illustrator Day 3: Drawing Basic Shapes Day 4: Drawing with Pencil Tool [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Logos, Illustrations and Product Designs are all areas I want to investigate further with Illustrator.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
It is really worth.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Its good, but cant say much about b’coz its a first day.
September 14th, 2008 at 1:34 am
I´m a brazilian designer that uses Corel Draw and want to migrate do Adobe Suite. I think the best tool to work is the tool that you reaaly know how to use, so I´m trying to learn as much I can about Illustrator.
September 15th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Can I use illustrator to create webpages? I am a long time user of Corel Draw and have created looks for websites using Photoshop…I am hoping to migrate completely to Illustrator and not have to boot into vista on my mac.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
[...] Week Day 1: What is Illustrator Day 2: Getting Started in Illustrator Day 3: Drawing Basic Shapes Day 4: Drawing with Pencil [...]
September 18th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Thanks! The first day of an Introduction is nice & helpfull to beginner how,where and when use this software.I admire which you had done for us.This software new for me so Hope I’ll learn Illustrator well through your 30 days.
September 19th, 2008 at 12:57 am
its good imust with agree….
September 24th, 2008 at 7:43 am
I have purchased Adobe Flash CS3 Professional- do i need to have illustrator as well to have this function? Can i not create a project in its entirety in the Flash product i have purchased? Do all pictures need to be imported through illustrator , can I make .ai files in adobe flash?
Thanks for your timely response…. J
September 24th, 2008 at 9:09 am
Hi J, You can’t make ai files in illustrator. However you can draw some basic vector graphics in Flash.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:56 am
what is illustrator is a vector drawimg program.
October 9th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
VERY FINE WEBSITE IT IS VERY USEFUL TO INTERMEDIATE AND ABOVE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL KEEP INTRODUCING MORE ILLUSTRATIONS
October 26th, 2008 at 11:34 pm
hi, i want to know if you can also show some website or book that is best for photoshop beginner
October 29th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Thanks a lot for this tutorials , bro
!
!
Keep up the good work , i will subscribe to your RSS
Greetings from Belgium !
BaGsHiK
October 31st, 2008 at 1:01 am
i would like to under go the classes.
November 7th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
it is very nice softwear
November 18th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Is possible this tuttorial in spanish ?
November 27th, 2008 at 12:52 am
very very nice…. i got it… !!! thanks!