How to Create Vector Art With Illustrator

The advantages of using Adobe Illustrator to create vector art are numerous. When you deal with raster-based graphics programs like Adobe Photoshop, images can become pixellated due to the file resolution or physical size of the image. Vector-based programs like Adobe Illustrator do not base their graphic quality on pixels, so pixellation is no longer an issue.

Instructions

1. Create a new file Adobe Illustrator by going to "File>New." Type in the physical size of your document. For example, if creating letterhead, you will probably want to start with a letter-size sheet.

2. Create your graphics. If you need to draw something, you will want to use points and bezier curves to get your graphics the way you want them.

3. If you use the symbols tool or other special features, you will need to flatten the transparency of your artwork before saving. Select all the objects on your page by holding down the "Ctrl + A" keys at the same time for px ("Command+a" for Mac).

4. 

   Go to "Object>Flatten Transparency." When the flatten transparency box comes up, hit "Ok."

5. Save your artwork. You've now created your first vector file.

Tips & Warnings

• * If you have a background in hand illustration or manual drafting, you will understand the basic concept of how to use the pen tool, convert point tool, and other drawing tools.

• * The "Adobe Classroom in a Book" series is a great way to learn Illustrator from the people who created it. While the books are a little pricey, they do an excellent job of walking you through a hypothetical project from start to finish and how to use shortcuts to get things done faster.

• * You cannot turn a raster image into a vector one, EVEN if you import or embed it into an Illustrator file. Your best bet is to import the file into your Illustrator file, trace over it using points and bezier curves, and then delete the imported raster file and save the Illustrator file.

Resources

• Adobe Illustrator Classroom in a Book Sample Lesson