7 Things You Didn’t Know Adobe Illustrator Could Do
July 23rd, 2007 - Articles, General Design, Tutorials
01. The Blend Tool / Adding Lines Between Lines…
We’ve all seen those fancy cool looking vectors where lots of evenly spaced lines curve around some complicated graphics. It can really help to add movement and interest to a design and its really easy to do. This tool is how you do it.
Draw two lines with the pen tool (Hot key =”P”). Now select the blend tool (Hot key=”W”). If you would like to set some options up (eg. how many lines will appear between the two you have drawn) then press “return”. On nearly all the tools this will bring up an option window where you can play about with settings. When you are ready simply select one of the lines you have drawn with the blend tool and then select the other line.
And… Bing, you should have a blend between the two lines. Enjoy…
02. The Mesh Tool / Adding Shading To A Shape…
Ok this one can get very complicated. Some have been able to create photo realistic images using this technique. However we will just use it on a simple circle. So press “L” for the circle tools and draw yourself a circle, using the shift key to keep it from distorting into an oval shape.
Make sure the circle has a fill in it and that it is selected, then press the “U” key for the mesh tool.
Now make a selection anywhere within the circle and select a different colour. The point which you made the selection will evenly gradient into the outer colours.
You can also use the direct selection tool (Hot key “a”) to select the nodes and change their colours and positions as well. Using these techniques you can create very complex meshes which can add depth and shadow to illustrations or shapes.
03. 3D / Entering The Next Dimension…
Did you think that Illustrator was limited to 2D flat vector shapes? Will it isn’t. Adobe have recently (CS1) introduced a piece of the future into Illustrator which I’m sure will become more and more advanced as time goes on. Ladies and Gents… The 3D effect.
So press “M” and draw yourself a box. When it is selected go to Effect > 3D > Extrude and Bevel. You will now be faced with a configuration window. I’d suggest you select the “preview” option so you can see whats going on.
Have a play with the options and you can easily create simple and effective 3D objects.
If you wanted to flatten this all you have to do is go to Object > Expand Appearance and boom, you will have yourself a flattened 3D object which you can do what you want with…
04. Patterns / Making Fills Interesting…
Ok, create your desired pattern using normal illustrator tools and effects and simply drag it into the swatches pallet.
Next time you draw a shape select your pattern as its fill and bobs your uncle, you have a tiled pattern fill. You can also turn your pattern by using the selection tool (Hot key “v”) to select your object and then by pressing return. This will bring up the “move” options pallet where you can set the angle of a pattern.
05. Symbol Sprayer / Splatter some vector…
Fed up with recreating tiny details with copy and paste? The symbol tool makes little details like this easy as pie.
Make a graphic and select it. Drag it into the symbols pallet.
Now select the symbol sprayer tool (hot key shift s). You will see that it sprayers your symbol onto the artboard. If you wish to add a little interest you can click and hold the symbol sprayer icon on the tool pallet and then select the symbol sizer tool and other symbol related tools.
Tip: Symbols can be made using transparency as well.
06. Blur / Smooth Out The Vector…
What was that? illustrator is too straight edged for you? Well have you seen the “blur” effect?
Make a shape, select it and then simply go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur. You will have a few options relating to the harshness of the blur. Select OK and your vector shape will be blurred. It will retain its blur and vector edit ability, so if you wish to change its shape it will continue to have that effect applied to it. Very handy for adding quick drop shadows or atmosphere.
07. Transparency / Bringing Depth To Overlaying Shapes…
This one has saved me many times. Create a vector shape and duplicate it so that some areas are overlapping (you can do this by using the selection tool – hot key v) and whilst a shape is being moved press the alt key, this will duplicate it. If you want to duplicate the shape in exactly the same way again press option D).
Now to add some interest. Go to the transparency palette. There will be a dropdown menu currently selected at “normal”. Click it and select “multiply”. Notice the difference? Try some of the other transparency options.
If you enjoyed this post, why not have a look at the following:
7 More Things You Didn’t Know Adobe Illustrator Could Do
July 23rd, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Killer stuff. Note to self: Play with Illustrator more often.
July 23rd, 2007 at 3:18 pm
brillant – thanks for this !!
July 23rd, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Great things to know; especially if have been playing with illustrator lately.
July 23rd, 2007 at 4:09 pm
great job!
todo junto es una mezcla de arte vectorizado con Illustrator
July 23rd, 2007 at 7:38 pm
i knew all of that stuff. *yawn*
July 23rd, 2007 at 11:37 pm
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July 24th, 2007 at 4:05 am
Well I guess this article wasn’t for Micahel then. Good stuff.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:10 am
Tell us something we don’t know oh great and informed Michael.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:21 am
It is always to great to know new stuff about the the softwares that we are using.
thanks a lot.
July 24th, 2007 at 4:24 am
5* for this article
July 24th, 2007 at 9:12 am
This is awesome. I am a complete n00b when it comes to Illustrator, but this has helped a lot! Thanks!
July 24th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
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July 24th, 2007 at 11:26 pm
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July 25th, 2007 at 12:52 am
[...] Journal – 7 Things You Didn’t Know Adobe Illustrator Could Do 01. The Blend Tool / Adding Lines Between Lines… (tags: adobe graphics illustrator howto design tips tutorial) [...]
July 25th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I didn’t know any of that, but then again I’ve never used Illustrator.
July 27th, 2007 at 8:52 am
Michael, thanks for telling us you already knew that. Good contribution. Now the rest of us can assume you’re better than everyone else.
July 27th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Great post… thanks!!! I always appreciate cool tips, so much software to keep track of!
July 31st, 2007 at 10:24 pm
wow note to self.. must buy illustrator. any spare cash anyone?
July 31st, 2007 at 10:55 pm
much appreciated, please keep posting!
August 1st, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Thanks for sharing!
August 2nd, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Hey! Thanks for sharing! Soo cool!
August 3rd, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Hi, great post! Nice to learn the ‘designer’s secrets!
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:20 pm
This is a cool tutorial. Wondering.. Does anyone know what the difference between the live paint tool and the live paint selection tool is?
Seems odd to have them take up 2 slots in the main tools palette.
August 7th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
awesome post.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Thanks, for giving tips.
i am student and i used in my work & its helpful in my assignment. “THANKS”
August 12th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
yay! for free information…kudos to you, the line blend was just what I was looking for. Thanks.
August 28th, 2007 at 7:57 pm
is it possible to save blurred or translucent elements to pdf? inkscape has the same capabilities, but it doesn’t seem to be able to export those effects to pdf, just svg…
August 30th, 2007 at 10:16 am
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September 10th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
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March 26th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Simply Great!!!
July 27th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
this is really cool and helpful! thanks a lot!
September 8th, 2008 at 12:19 am
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September 9th, 2008 at 2:11 am
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September 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
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September 19th, 2008 at 11:32 am
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October 9th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Boring, knew all seven
October 14th, 2008 at 5:50 am
So Michael, what have you shared with the rest of us? Dying to learn here. Esp from you. Heard you are great. Hope to get some links from you.
October 28th, 2008 at 8:00 am
Nice info, Thanks!
November 9th, 2008 at 8:02 am
New to Illustrator, very helpful! thanks!
November 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
love this thing, helps a lot with little things you always forget, thanks
November 24th, 2008 at 4:13 am
cool! but put some more! =)
January 10th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
This was a really cool tutorial, thanks, great work.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:36 am
En principio quiero agradecer la forma altruista nos dan para el mejor manejo de Illustrator.
Tengo una dificultad relacionado al punto 07. Transparencia / Profundidad Para Llevar La superposición de formas …
No encuentro esas teclas “de selección â € “tecla v” y queria saber si hay otra manera de hacerlo?
Muchisimas gracias por toda esta información.
Gracias! muchisimas Gracias!
juvelim
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:12 pm
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January 24th, 2009 at 6:49 am
these techniques are simple. they are easier then a fat girl 5 min before the club closes!!
January 29th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
I agree what Michael says… I all ready new this stuff!… But good post
January 30th, 2009 at 11:02 am
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February 2nd, 2009 at 6:10 pm
This is great!
February 6th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
An excellent post! I learned some cool things here. Thanks.
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:35 pm
[...] sequel to “7 Things You Didn’t Know Adobe Illustrator Could Do”with some great [...]
March 4th, 2009 at 12:22 am
Great ideas. Just opened CS4 and looking to step back from work and have some fun for a change. Thanks!
March 7th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Lol @ Michael..
“i knew all of that stuff. *yawn*”
Though he needs to remember that not everybody knows everything!
March 7th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
[...] with Illustrator | Very Cool Pathfinder Tutorial | Complex Circular Designs | Transform Again | 7 Things | 10 Seamless Destroyed Vectors | 10 Illustrator Resolutions | 64 Arrows | Blend Tool Backgrounds | [...]
March 14th, 2009 at 2:03 am
Adobe illustrator is the best adobe product.
March 17th, 2009 at 1:13 am
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March 17th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
A few of these I, in fact, did not know.
March 20th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
great and good tips, always go forward
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 am
Thanks a lot for all these tips!
Also, I’d like to recommend these little tutorials to anyone who wants to use Illustrator:
http://www.logobee.com/logo-design-tutorial/tutorial.htm
It teaches you a few neat effects in Illustrator.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
ummm can anyone send this to me email is rapstar7707@yahoo.com
May 7th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Hi Chris – we don’t send out articles – what you see on our website is what you get!
May 18th, 2009 at 9:39 am
very good design illustrator
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:59 pm
I knew all of these techniques.. Maybe it’s great for newbies. Zzzzz
June 14th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
very useful indeed!
thank you very much
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:09 am
THANKS THAT WAS REALYL HELPFUL CHEERS
July 27th, 2009 at 8:28 am
good stuff for beginners.. brilliant!
August 7th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
[...] 7 Things You Didn’t Know Adobe Illustrator Could Do [...]
August 11th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
AWESOME! Knew a few, but the other stuff is great! Good to know!
August 18th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Very good tips. Love the blend between two lines.
September 17th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
good oneee. thanks bunches, im trying to learn all i can (:
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
totally cool stuff you guys
September 25th, 2009 at 12:07 am
This is so cool!! I haven’t used any of these techniques yet.
October 2nd, 2009 at 6:31 am
nice post..
so many thing that i don’t know yet in Illustrator.. Thanks so much!
October 20th, 2009 at 9:16 am
[...] Blend Tool, Patterns, Roughen????????????? ???????? 7 things you didnt know Adobe Illustrator could do 7 More Things You Didn’t Know Adobe Illustrator Could [...]
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Thank you for sharing this. You are what is wonderful about the internet.
December 9th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Great stuff, love these mini tuts….can we have some more please.
Micheal if you are such a clever dick what are you doing looking at this stuff anyway – yawn!
December 18th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I guess u can teach an old dog new trick…this goes to show u that u can always learn something new about illustrator.
January 19th, 2010 at 11:46 am
its very good
January 20th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Great stuff. I’ve been using Illustrator for a long time and didn’t know some of this…thanks
January 25th, 2010 at 4:00 am
Pretty scary how 90% of “designers” on the street have little or no clue about how Illustrator and InDesign work. this fact reflects on the poor quality of work we get and how difficult it is to hire staff with experience other than “Photoshop.” If you use Illustrator, why not start by reading the manual, just like the author of this article did. Geez.
February 20th, 2010 at 5:53 am
Awesome!! I love these!!
February 20th, 2010 at 5:55 am
I love these very much which helps me a lot to move.