Lynda.COM Illustrator Insider Training: Rethinking the Essentials

Author:
Mordy Golding

Duration:
05h 07m

Released on:
2/25/2011

Exercise files:
Yes


Illustrator Insider Training: Rethinking the Essentials is the first installment in a series of courses designed to show experienced Illustrator users to how master core features and build art more efficiently. Adobe Illustrator has evolved dramatically over the years, and many creative professionals may be missing out on features that have been added to the latest versions. This course takes a fresh approach to core concepts, such as paths, attributes, object hierarchy, groups, and layers. Advanced techniques such as combining multiple effects and customizing textures are also included. Exercise files and a free worksheet are included with the course.
Topics include:

    Targeting individual object attributes
    Adding multiple stroke and fill attributes
    Modifying appearances with live effects
    Applying effects to groups and to layers
    Understanding both selecting and targeting
    Copying artwork and appearances from layers
    Using the Outline Object effect
    Enhancing performance with the Rasterize effect
    Creating quick and easy captions and buttons
    Setting up a meaningful workspace
    Controlling the pixel resolution of effects





Introduction
Welcome           01m 15s
Exploring the Illustrator Timeline           05m 12s
Getting the most out of this training           01m 30s
Using the exercise files           00m 25s

1. Grasping Core Vector Concepts
Starting off on the right foot           00m 27s
Knowing the difference between structure and presentation           04m 38s
Understanding paths and attributes           04m 56s
Distributing stroke weight along a path           02m 25s
Bottoms up: Object hierarchy and stacking order           04m 01s

2. Deconstructing Appearances
The all-important Appearance panel           00m 37s
Understanding attribute stacking order           06m 45s
Targeting individual object attributes           07m 32s
Adding multiple attributes to a single object           09m 31s
Modifying appearances with Live Effects           07m 11s
Using multiple strokes to create a border design           04m 36s
Using multiple strokes to create a map           05m 52s
Using multiple fills to mix spot colors           04m 59s
Using multiple fills to create textures           04m 06s

3. Working with Appearances
Learning to live with appearances           00m 30s
Basic appearance vs. complex appearance           04m 27s
Clearing or expanding an appearance           10m 52s
Controlling the appearance of newly drawn art           05m 11s
Saving appearances with graphic styles           06m 54s
Changing artwork by modifying a graphic style           07m 39s
Uncovering a treasure trove of graphic styles           05m 01s
Copying appearances with the Eyedropper tool           05m 28s

4. Harnessing the Power of Groups
Why do we create groups?           01m 48s
Applying an effect to a group           04m 38s
Understanding the difference between targeting and selecting           04m 44s
Knowing the dangers of ungrouping artwork           02m 21s
Using Isolation mode to preserve group structure           06m 59s
Adding a stroke to a group           06m 13s
Adding a 3D effect to a group           03m 36s
Extending the concept of groups to type objects           03m 09s

5. Taking Control with Layers
Are you a layers person?           00m 33s
Learning to use the Layers and Objects panel           09m 27s
Making selections and editing stacking order           06m 38s
Reading and using the target circles           08m 43s
Copying artwork and appearances           05m 37s
Adding effects to layers           09m 56s
Getting the most out of the Layers panel           05m 40s

6. Applying Useful Effects
It's more than just a drop shadow?           00m 48s
Adding basic texture with Mezzotint           07m 50s
Generating custom textures with Texturizer           12m 22s
Adding a stroke to an image with Outline Object           05m 54s
Aligning text precisely with Outline Object           06m 31s
Adding callout numbers with Convert to Shape           04m 36s
Enhancing performance with Rasterize           02m 30s
Avoiding pitfalls when using effects           06m 48s

7. Combining Multiple Effects
Asking yourself the "what if?" question           00m 33s
Outlining artwork with Offset Path and Pathfinder Add           05m 36s
Adding captions with Convert to Shape and Transform           07m 01s
Creating a crosshatch effect with Scribble           05m 44s
Creating buttons with Round Corners and Transform           13m 05s

8. Deconstructing a Document
Working with other people's files           00m 36s
Setting up a workspace that makes sense           09m 43s
Learning to "read" an Illustrator file           05m 48s
Controlling pixel resolution           09m 14s

Conclusion
Next steps           01m 02s