Hot Adobe Illustrator How-Tos
How To: Draw by the numbers in Illustrator CS2
When someone says, "draw a box in Illustrator" you instinctively reach for the box tool and drag out a box on the page. However, if you need to create the box with a specific size then you need to know how to draw by the numbers. Use the drawing tools in Illustrator CS2 to draw shapes at specific sizes.
How To: Work with layers and groups in Illustrator CS3
Do you have problems working with layers in Illustrator CS3? This video shows you how to work with layers and groups in Illustrator, including isolation mode. Watch now, and learn from the expert! Work with layers and groups in Illustrator CS3.
How To: Slice and export an Illustrator file in Illustrator
In this Illustrator CS2 video tutorial you will learn to slice and export an Illustrator file for the web. You'll see it's the same procedure in Photoshop. Remember to select PNG or GIF file formats if you want to reserve transparency layers when exporting images. Make sure to hit "play tutorial" in the top left corner of the video to start the video. There is no sound, so you'll need to watch the pop-up directions. Slice and export an Illustrator file in Illustrator.
How To: Draw a realistic eye in Illustrator
This two-part video tutorial shows you how to draw an eye that's realistic, using the software program Adobe Illustrator. If you've ever been confused by Illustrator, this video will clear things up for you. The first part of the tutorial shows you the ultra-fast version, and the second part will slow down, with Karl Gude explaining each step of the way. Pretty soon, you'll be drawing your own realistic eyes with great accuracy!
How To: Draw flames using Illustrator
If your graphic requires a little fire, check out this tutorial and learn how to draw very cool looking flames in Illustrator.
How To: Create perspective text in Illustrator
Give your type some perspective in Illustrator, and with much more control than the shear tool. Create perspective text in Illustrator.
How To: Make a plus icon in Adobe Illustrator
Learn how to make a plus icon, using Adobe Illustrator
How To: Place images inside text with Illustrator
Placing images inside text is nothing new. However, the old way involved converting the text to outlines first and thereby making the text uneditable. In this video you'll learn how to fill your text with an image while maintaining complete edit-ability of the text using Illustrator CS2.
How To: Create a Twisted Wire in Illustrator
This Illustrator tutorial shows you a way to make a double helix or twisted wire. Using Illustrator and the powerful pattern brush, Bert takes us through the steps from a wavy line to a realistic wire effect or double helix.
How To: Make a six pointed star using the tools in Adobe Illustrator 5
This tutorial shows you how to use the star took and a few other basic functions with Adobe Illustrator 5 to replicate the Star of David on the Israeli flag. Master a few basics of image manipulation with this tutorial.
How To: Create a glossy vector logo or graphic in Illustrator
To create glossy or reflective vector image, you will need to know how to use the offset options in Adobe Illustrator and the basics for pathfinder. You will be creating a vector image that can be resized without hurting its quality. To start select you text style, which be glossy for this. You will have first a white layer, a shadow, a radiant layer, a white outline and a shadow going underneath. In this video the Oh Gizmo Logo! is being used as the template. Right click create outlines. You...
How To: Create a 3D pyramid in Illustrator CS3
Corey shows you how to create a 3D pyramid using Illustrator CS3. Create a 3D pyramid in Illustrator CS3.
How To: Use the Pixel Preview mode in Adobe Illustrator CS5
In this clip, you'll learn how to use the Pixel Preview feature when working in Adobe Illustrator CS5. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editor or a seasoned graphic arts professional interested in better acquainting yourself with the new features and functions of Illustrator CS5, you're sure to benefit from this free software tutorial. For more information, and to get started using this trick in your own Illustrator projects, watch this video guide.
How To: Use the Pathfinder tool in Adobe Illustrator CS5
Learn how to use the Pathfinder tool in Illustrator CS5. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editor or a seasoned graphic arts professional interested in better acquainting yourself with the new features and functions of Illustrator CS5, you're sure to benefit from this free software tutorial. For more information, watch this video guide.
How To: Draw a vector heart in Adobe Illustrator
Check out this video and learn how to draw a very cool graphic using Adobe Illustrator. This tutorial will show you how easy it is to draw a vector heart without having to download anything extra. All you need is Adobe Illustrator and some time!
How To: Blend shapes and colors in Illustrator
Learn how to blend shapes and colors in Illustrator with this tutorial. Open Illustrator and put the circle with color which you want. Put the square on the color you want. Select the object, go the title bar select the object and then select the blend. You will be shown the result on the screen. Select the square and circle where you place the object by click and drag method. Go to the object and select the blend and choose the blend options. Change in specific steps which you want in the sc...
How To: Create a brushed metal effect in Illustrator
Using Illustrator's Gradient Editor and Graphic Styles, you can create a brushed metal effect that you can apply to any shape or text. Create a brushed metal effect in Illustrator.
How To: Create a golden award badge in Illustrator
Did your child come home upset that they didn't get a gold star in class today? Well, now you can make them their own award. Watch and learn how to make a golden award badge. Be creative and make silver and bronze too! Perfect for teachers and parents.
How To: Create cartography in Illustrator
Here's a creative way to draw a map using Adobe Illustrator. Watch and learn how to copy and paste text styles with the eyedropper and draw a stylized map. This seems like an odd tutorial, but learning to use the eyedropper to format text is a worthy skill gained. Create cartography in Illustrator.
How To: Create a reflective glass text effect on Adobe Illustrator Cs4
It's a well-known, time-honored interior design rule that putting things under glass makes them look more precious and special. Just like adding a spotlight to feature the soloist in a choir, placing a glass cloche or dome on top of a group of ornaments or a floral arrangement instantly adds fashionable curiosity.
How To: Use the Scale Shear and Reshape tools in Adobe Illustrator CS4 or CS5
In this clip, you'll learn how to make use of the Scale Shear and Reshape tools when doing design work in Adobe Illustrator CS4 or CS5. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editing software or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video guide.
How To: Use the Hand tool in Adobe Illustrator CS4 or CS5
This handy guide presents a complete overview of how to use the Hand tool to make your way around the Art Board when working in Adobe Illustrator CS4 or CS5. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editing software or a seasoned professional just looking to better acquaint yourself with the program and its various features and filters, you're sure to be well served by this video tutorial. For more information, including detailed, step-by-step instructions, watch this free video ...
How To: Create a cool blend text effect in Illustrator
In this tutorial, we learn how to create a cool blend text effect in Illustrator. First, open up Illustrator and draw a path, then change the color to black. After this, click on the line and type in your desired text. Increase the font size to 36 points, then select the red color. After this, copy your path and select the duplicate button. Now, move the duplicated path and change the background color to yellow. Now, scale the path and resize, then place on to of the red path. When finished, ...
How To: Create a 3D sphere & reflection in Illustrator
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to create a 3D sphere and reflection in Adobe Illustrator. Begin by using the ellipse tool and create a circle. Select the black and white gradient, and drag the colors that you want into the gradient panel. Now hold the Alt key and draw a smaller circle inside. Fill it with white/transparent gradient. Select the sphere and go to Object/Group. Now go to Effect/Distort and Transform/Transform. Tick the Preview and Reflect Y, insert 1 copies box and sel...
How To: Create a glossy sphere in Illustrator
Do you want to add some 3D effects in your 2D designs? Open illustrator and draw an oval tool holding shift key. Then draw an ellipse with a different color and place it on the oval. Take blend tool,then click on ellipse shape and then oval one for a gradient effect. Draw another oval with a gradient and give it screen. Your glossy sphere is ready. Adding gloss, specular highlights as well as shadows adds some realism to one's art work.
How To: Use the Pen Tool in Adobe Illustrator CS2
Working with vectors isn't easy, and working with vectors means using paths. Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics application, therefore virtually everything in Illustrator is created using paths. The Pen Tool is the king of paths, you can create any kind of path using the pen tool, you just need to know how to use it! Watch this Illustrator video tutorial to learn how to use the pen tool and trace the outline of an object as well.
How To: Create simple silhouettes in Illustrator CS4
Creating a silhouette from a photo is nothing new, but with Illustrator CS4’s new Blob Brush tool, it has become a lot easier. Corey demonstrates how to use the Blog Brush tool to create a silhouette, and how to create some quick background effects using the Gradient Mesh tool.
How To: Use Live Trace in Adobe Illustrator CS2
A tutorial on Live Trace - the fast and easy, yet highly optional and precise way of tracing your photos or sketches in Illustrator CS2.
How To: Use Adobe Illustrator with a Wacom tablet
Every good illustrator knows the advantage of using a Wacom tablet with Adobe Illustrator. When you plug in a Wacom tablet it doesn't automatically set your tools to be pressure sensitive. Terry White will show you how to set your brushes to really take advantage of your new tablet.
How To: Use Recolor Art to change colors in Illustrator CS3
Are you new to Illustrator CS3? Want to learn some neat tricks from Brenda Sutherland, an Illustrator expert? This video shows you how to use the Recolor Art feature in the Live Color dialog box to replace colors in illustrations. Use Recolor Art to change colors in Illustrator CS3.
How To: Create anime or manga style eyes in Adobe Illustrator 5
This tutorial shows you an easy way to create anime or manga style eyes in Adobe Illustrator 5. Even if you're not into anime, following this tutorial will nevertheless show you how to master several of the basic tools in Adobe Creative Suite 5.
How To: Create a text based logo in Adobe Illustrator 5
Take a regular font, type the name of your business or website into a text box, and then follow along with this tutorial. Break it apart and manipulate the layers so you can end up with a classy and eye catching logo.
How To: Create a navigation bar in Illustrator
First thing you need to do this is to select rectangle tool and make a shape and select the gradient fill and change the angle of gradient to 90 degree. Now color and resize it as showing in the video. Now type your navigation texts like blog, contact, gallery etc. Now size your text for your rectangle shape. Now set the texts in the bar and resize your bar.
How To: Create a vector leather texture in Adobe Illustrator
See how to create a vector-based leather texture from scratch when working in Adobe Illustrator CS4. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editor program or a seasoned graphic arts professional looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of this particular iteration of the application, you're sure to benefit from this free software tutorial. For more information, watch this designer's guide.
How To: Create custom 3D logos and text with Illustrator CS4
She how to use the 3D bevel and embossing tools in Adobe Illustrator CS4 to create 3D text-based logos. Whether you're new to Adobe's popular vector graphics editor program or a seasoned graphic arts professional looking to better acquaint yourself with the new features and functions of this particular iteration of the application, you're sure to benefit from this free software tutorial. For more information, watch this designer's guide.
How To: Create a neon style text effect in Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator enables you to add a multitude of effects to your texts. One of the options available to you is to add a neon-style effect to the text. This video tutorial will take you through the steps needed to add this effect with detailed instructions from start to finish. You will learn which menu options to employ, how to properly select your layers and which effects to apply to your text to get the neon style you are looking for.
How To: Create a 3D star in Illustrator
Do you have interest in creating 3D objects? Open illustrator and draw a star tool with gradient fill in it. Then go to effects>3D>Extrude/Bevel. Select preview to view the star in 3D while changing its settings. One can rotate the star in any angle as well as change the thickness of the star. Then go to object>expand appearance and then click on the gradient. Our star is ready. It will help in creating 3D objects and shapes.
How To: Create a web 2.0 style badge in Illustrator
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to create a web 2.0 style badge using Adobe Illustrator. Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor. Viewers will learn how to manipulate the Star Tool in Adobe Illustrator, how to apply a custom radial gradient to that shape and how you can create, save, and open custom swatches. This video will benefit those viewers who design websites. These web badges can be used on a website to promote a product, announce a sale, or simply draw attention.
How To: Vectorize a human eye in Illustrator
This is how you can vector an eye in Adobe Illustrator. You will first want to upload your photo to PhotoShop and then increase the contrast to highlight your picture better. Increasing the highlights is not a necessary step however. This is an intermediate process but the end result with be a cartoon looking eye on a real person. If you used this effect for the whole picture it would look very neat like your own cartoon character! If you only subtly vector the eye then you still have an edit...
How To: Create a web button in Illustrator
In this online video training tutorial, Task Training shows us, how to create a web button using Adobe Illustrator. The 1st step is to select the rectangular tool in Illustrator and set the size you want your button to be. The 2nd step is holding the shift key you can re-size your shape. The 3rd step is to give the button some color such as a gradient. The 4th step is to add a drop shadow to the button by going to Styles and then selecting Drop Shadow. The 5th step is add text to the button t...