Tag Archives: Illustrator

Spring 2015 – Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

Welcome to Adobe Illustrator!

Adobe Illustrator is the industry standard vector graphics drawing program, and my favorite application in the Adobe Suite. We are going to spend the next couple of weeks getting comfortable with the program and exploring its capabilities. We are also going to explore color theory, symbolism and advanced typography in the weeks to come, so prepare yourself with the following week’s exercises!

Objective:

To learn and demonstrate an understanding of the creation and configuration of new documents in Illustrator.

Student-Friendly Learning Target:

I can create and configure new documents in Adobe Illustrator.

Video Link:

https://tv.adobe.com/watch/learn-illustrator-cs4/getting-started-01-starting-a-new-document/

Topics Discussed:
Start a new document in Illustrator CS4 using the Welcome screen.
Adjust settings in the New Document dialog box.
Establish multiple artboards.

Assignment:

Create a new Illustrator Web document with four default-sized artboards. Save this document as “YOURNAME – Illustrator Week 1”. We will use this document throughout the week to practice with the basic drawing tools.
Assigned: January 5th, 2014
Due Date: January 9th, 2014

Spring 2013 – 48 – You Toon – Preparing for the Big Move

Monday, May 5th, 2014
Objective:

  • Students will be able to prepare Illustrator artwork for export to Flash for use in an IK Animation.
Student-Friendly Objective:

  • I can prepare my Illustrator artwork to make a Bone Tween animation in Flash.

Video Link:

  • None. See video links attached to Lessons 35 – 45 for review.
Topics Discussed:
  • For a complete list of Topics Discussed, please see the previous lessons (35 – 45).

Assignment:

  • Now that you’ve finalized the visual design of the character and drawn your character in Illustrator, you will need to prepare the character for export to Flash.
  • Open your character model sheet and delete the descriptive paragraph.
  • Create two new Illustrator documents, one for the front view of your character and one for the side view.
  • Use the Arrange Documents button at the top of the Illustrator interface to view both your character model sheet and the front view document and move the front view of your character to the new document.
  • Repeat this process for the side view, and save both documents with the appropriate file names (front view and side view).
  • In the Front View document, use the black selection arrow to select the different parts of your character, and use the fn+F8 shortcut to convert each part to a Symbol. Every part of your character that is going to move should be made a separate symbol! Name each of the symbols appropriately as you create them. When you are finished, at a minimum you should have symbols for your character’s Head, Body, Right Arm, Left Arm, Right Leg and Left Leg. (Note: If your character has legs that bend or other body parts like a tail or wings, you may have many more symbols.)
  • Repeat this process for the side view of your character. Don’t forget that you will need to have an arm and a leg “behind” your character that can be moved to make your character “walk” onto the stage when we begin animating in Flash.
  • Both files, one with the front view of the character converted to symbols, and the other with the side view converted to symbols, is due Wednesday (05/07/14). Please ensure you have this accomplished by then, as you cannot continue to the animation phase without these Illustrator files prepared, and you will fall behind as the class progresses towards the final project.
Assigned: May 5th, 2014
Due Date: May 7th, 2014