Illustrator Bootcamp

Illustrator Training Class Introduction: Complete Topics Covered

Module 1: Getting to Know the Adobe Illustrator Workspace

• Exploring the Illustrator interface
• Choosing a workspace
• Opening a file
• Using artboards
• Changing your view
• Zooming and scrolling
• Using tools and panels
• Exploring the Control panel
• Working with panels and the dock
• Saving workspaces and shortcuts

Module 2: Adobe Illustrator Essentials

• Using Illustrator's shape tools
• Repositioning and visually resizing the shapes
• Putting the Transform panel to work
• Constraining a shape
• Entering exact dimensions
• Selecting artwork
• Using the shape and transform tools
• Introducing layers
• Cutting and pasting objects
• Repeating transformations

Module 3: Adding Color

• Exploring the Appearance panel
• Changing colors in Illustrator
• Adding effects
• Using Live Paint
• Adding a symbol
• Saving swatches
• Selecting the same color
• Creating a color group
• Using the Color panel
• Adding Pantone colors

Module 4: Working with the Adobe Illustrator Drawing Tools

• Understanding the Pen tool
• Drawing straight, curved and hinged lines
• Tracing images
• Creating a tracing template
• Working with Image Trace
• Using the Line, Pencil and Eraser tools
• Editing existing paths
• Adding and removing points
• Cutting and joining paths
• Combining shapes with the Shape Builder

Module 5: Exploring Additional Adobe Illustrator Color Options

• Adding tonal values with gradients
• Customizing an existing gradient
• Saving the gradient
• Applying a second instance of the gradient
• Using the Gradient panel
• Updating a gradient
• Creating and using patterns
• Creating a bounding box
• Applying the pattern
• Editing a pattern fill
• Locating existing patterns
• Finishing up the illustration
• Creating a Color Group
• Using the Color Guide

Module 6: Working with and Formatting Text using Illustrator

• Formatting text
• Paragraph formatting
• Using paragraph and character styles
• Editing styles
• Putting text on a path
• Warping text
• Putting text in a shape
• Creating outlines
• Checking spelling
• Using Find and Replace

Module 7: An Introduction to Illustrator's Layers

• Getting to know the Layers panel
• Using layers to organize your illustrations
• Using the Layers panel to make selections
• Creating new layers
• Showing and hiding layers
• Locking and unlocking layers
• Rearranging layers
• Moving items between layers
• Remembering layers when pasting
• Creating a template layer

Module 8: Working with symbols in Illustrator

• Understanding symbols and instances
• Cleaning out the symbol library
• Creating symbols
• Editing symbols
• Importing a symbol library
• Modifying symbol instances
• Using the symbolism tools
• Editing nested symbols
• Replacing symbols
• Saving symbol libraries

Module 9: Using Adobe Illustrator effects and transparency

• Working with the Appearance panel
• Applying effects
• Editing effects
• Using graphic styles
• Creating and saving graphic styles
• Working with object transparency
• Experimenting with multiple opacities
• Understanding blending modes
• Saving and importing graphic styles
• Applying graphic styles to layers and symbols

Module 10: Exporting and saving files from Illustrator

• Saving using the AI format
• Saving an illustration with layers
• Saving a layered PDF
• Exporting for Photoshop
• Integrating with InDesign
• Integrating with Flash
• Integrating with Microsoft Expression Blend
• Integrating with Premiere and After Effects
• Saving as EPS
• Saving for Web

Module 11: Advanced Illustrator blending techniques

• Using the Blend Tool in Adobe Illustrator 
• Applying a gradient
• Understanding linear vs. radial gradients
• Using Gradient Mesh options
• Adjusting a mesh
• Revisiting Blend Options
• Selecting multiple mesh points
• Overlapping images
• Using the Mesh tool
• Adding a highlight

Module 12: Adobe Illustrator new features

• Using the adjustable user interface
• Image Trace
• Pattern Options panel
• Gradients on strokes
• Make Mask and Release button
• Expandable color spectrum
• Character panel enhancements
• Transform panel additions
• Redesigned Control pane