How to Begin an Illustrator Drawing

You can use Adobe Illustrator to create vector drawings and text. Vector images consist of lines and curves that are defined by mathematical objects called vectors. These instructions apply to Adobe Illustrator 8. Procedures for other versions may vary.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adobe Illustrator

1. After setting up the work area the way you want it, create a file by choosing New from the File menu. The work area appears.

2. Click on the Window menu and select Show Tools.

3. Use the Pen Tool to create very precise curves and straight lines.

4. Choose the Star Tool to draw a star.

5. Select the Spiral Tool to draw a spiral.

6. Use the Rectangle or Ellipse Tool to draw a rectangle, ellipse, square or circle.

7. Choose the Polygon Tool (image of a six-sided object) to draw a polygon, triangle or diamond.

8. Use the Type Tool (image of a T) to create vector text.

9. Click the Selection Tool (black arrow pointing upward) to select an entire object or an entire path.

10. Use the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow pointing upward) to select individual anchor points on a path.

11. Select the Rotate Tool (circular arrow) to rotate an image by clicking on a selected anchor point.

12. Use the Pencil Tool to draw open and closed paths as if you were drawing on paper.

13. Choose the Twirl Tool (wavy lines spiralling out from center point) to twirl selected paths or points.

14. Select the Hand Tool to move the artwork.

15. Use the Eyedropper Tool to select a different color.

16. Click the Zoom Tool (magnifying glass) to enlarge or decrease the display.

17. Save when finished by choosing Save from the File menu.

Tips & Warnings

• The Tools window displays only the active tools. To access inactive tools, click on an icon and then, holding down the Alt key (Windows) or the Option key (Mac), click on the icon. That is, if the pen tool is active, hold down the Alt or Option key, click on the pen, and you will activate another tool.
• Adobe Illustrator's drawing tools work by creating lines (called paths) marked by anchors (or selection points).
• You can import bitmapped images into Adobe Illustrator, but you cannot edit them from within the program.
• Adobe Illustrator is a powerful program with many options. It is easy to become confused and use the wrong tool for the task you are trying to perform.