Hot Adobe Illustrator How-Tos
How To: Make glossy vector-based buttons & bars in Illustrator
Learn the techniques to create three different types of shiny bars and buttons in Adobe Illustrator. The classic button, the rounded "ball" button, and your basic shiny toolbar. Using gradients, transparency, and simple shape tools, in combination with the pathfinder. 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...
How To: Create a vector-based badge in Adobe Illustrator CS4
See how to create fully vector badge icon using Adobe Illustrator CS4. This tutorial is compatible with older versions of Adobe Illustrator as well. Learn about using gradients and subtle shadows to create the illusion of depth in an illustration as well as masking different effects to get both a neat little text effect and a shiny surface on the folder.
How To: Create a film strip icon in Adobe Illustrator CS4
Remember film? With Adobe Illustrator, it's easy to make an old-timey film strip icon perfect for a video application. This clip will show you how it's done. 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 3D box icon in Illustrator CS4
Create a vector three-dimensional box icon 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 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: Apply clipping masks in Adobe Illustrator CS4
Learn how to interlace custom shapes in Adobe Illustrator CS4, an effect that's especially attractive when working with 3d perspective objects and shapes. 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: Cartoonify yourself with Adobe Illustrator CS4
See how to turn a digital photo into an infinitely scalable vector cartoon. 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: Draw fire and flames in Adobe Illustrator CS4
See how to create a vector flaming box 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: Draw a 3D box in Adobe Illustrator CS4
See how to create an all-vector 3D cardboard box 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 glossy iPhone-style icons in Illustrator CS4
Want to create custom, iPhone-style icons? With Adobe Illustrator, it's easy. This clip will show you how it's done. 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 vector folder icon in Adobe Illustrator CS4
See how to create fully vector folder icons using Adobe Illustrator CS4. This tutorial is compatible with older versions of Adobe Illustrator as well. Learn about using gradients and subtle shadows to create the illusion of depth in an illustration as well as masking different effects to get both a neat little text effect and a shiny surface on the folder.
How To: Save files for the web when working in Illustrator CS5
Save your Illustrator CS5 illustrations for the web. This clip will show you how it's done. 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: Saving a PDF-compatible AI file in Illustrator CS5
Need help figuring out how to save PDF-compatible AI files from Illustrator CS5. This clip will show you how it's done. 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: Convert type into outlines in Adobe Illustrator CS5
Learn how to generate outlines from text when working 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, and to get started using this trick in your own Illustrator projects, watch this video guide.
How To: Use specialty fonts & effects in Adobe Illustrator CS5
Learn how to make use specialty fonts and effects when working 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: Make dynamic compound shapes in Adobe Illustrator CS5
Learn how to generate complex composite shapes when working 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: 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: Create a glossy button in Illustrator
Need to build some glossy buttons and bars for a website or web project and you're not sure how? Thanks to Task Tutorial, learn how! In this video, learn how to create a glass bar in Adobe Illustrator... perfect for your coming web projects! Give your website a professional look with the addition of these glossy buttons and bars.
How To: Use the pen tool in Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator
Meet the Adobe Photoshop pen tool! Whether you're new to Adobe's popular image editing software or simply looking to pick up a few new tips and tricks, you're sure to benefit from this free video tutorial, which presents a complete overview of the Photoshop and Illustrator pen tools. For more information, and to get started using the pen tool yourself, watch this graphic designer's guide.
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!
HowTo: Design Your Own Typeface Creature
Julián Dorado is an illustrator and graphic designer, hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has been lauded for his character design project, which merges typefaces into font-inspired monsters, animals, and characters. Luckily, Julián has been kind enough to post a great tutorial on creating your own typeface character/creature on his behance page.
How To: Create scalar web graphics in Adobe Illustrator CS5
Creating pixel-perfect web graphics in Adobe Illustrator CS5. Whether you're new to Adobe's Creative Suite or a seasoned graphic design professional after a general overview of Adobe Illustrator CS5's most vital new features, you're sure to be well served by this from the folks at Lynda, which presents a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to use Illustrator to create scalar (i.e., non-vector) web graphics.
How To: Use 9-slice scaling options in Adobe Illustrator CS5
Whether you're new to Adobe's Creative Suite or a seasoned graphic design professional after a general overview of Adobe Illustrator CS5's most vital new features, you're sure to be well served by this from the folks at Lynda, which presents a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to use Illustrator's 9-slice scaling options.
How To: Draw artwork in perspective in Adobe Illustrator CS5
Whether you're new to Adobe's Creative Suite or a seasoned graphic design professional after a general overview of Adobe Illustrator CS5's most vital new features, you're sure to be well served by this from the folks at Lynda, which presents a detailed, step-by-step overview of how to draw artwork in perspective in Adobe Illustrator CS5.
How To: Create a vector RSS icon in Illustrator
In this Software video tutorial you will learn how to create a vector RSS icon in Illustrator. Open illustrator and open a new document. Select the ‘rounded rectangle tool’ from the rectangle menu. Click and drag to draw a rounded square. Select the gradient fill on the left side and change the color to orange on the right side and make it dark to light from top to bottom. Next grab the corner and turn it around 180 degrees. Move the picture to one side and select the ellipse tool. Draw a...
How To: Create OSX icons in Adobe Illustrator
With the introduction of programs like Photoshop and Illustrator, now more than ever, people have the ability to be as creative as they want when it comes to almost anything. From manipulating pictures to creating professional looking images from scratch, these programs can be used as powerful tools. In this tutorial, you'll see on of them in action when you find out how to create OSX icons using Adobe Illustrator. Enjoy!
How To: Use live trace in Adobe Illustrator
This how to video shows you how to do a live trace in Adobe Illustrator. First, open the image you want to use. From here, zoom out. Go to the corner of the image and hold shift and drag to shrink it. Zoom back in and then click the arrow beside Live Trace. Go to tracing options and click okay. Check ignore white so that you will not get a box. Click trace and then select expand. Click out of the image and click control y on your keyboard to show the outline of your file. If you did not check...
How To: Make swirling rainbows in Illustrator
In this brief tutorial brought to you by TutVid.com, the host teaches you how to make a swirling rainbow graphic that you can use in many diverse ways. This vector images is made in Illustrator can be used in conjunction with several of the most popular photoshops. He uses several different techinques, like making a circle, cutting it in half, and recycling and rotating the image until you have a full, s-curve line. Superimposing several of these lines upon each other, he creates the finished...
How To: Outline your fonts in Adobe Illustrator
This how to video will show you how to create outlines of fonts with Adobe Illustrator. This is useful when you send a file to someone and they do not have the font you used to view it. This will allow them to view the text without worrying about what fonts the computer they are using has. First, select the text tool and type your text out. Next, go to type and select create outlines. From here, click it. The outline for the text has now been created. This video shows you an easy way to make ...
How To: Make swooshes & swirls in Illustrator
The first thing to do is open a new document with Adobe Illustrator. Inside the document, make a box, width 200 pt, height 20 pt. Click the bottom right corner with your mouse and hit delete. Then hold down the top right with shift, and tap the down arrow once. Then, click bottom left point, hold shift, join the objects by half. Go to brushes pallet and create a new brush. Click the spiral tool. Use the up and down with the mouse to select range you would like. Select the art brush, and click...
How To: Use the live trace tool in Adobe Illustrator
This shows how to use live trace on Adobe Illustrator to make a vector image. First, you need to open up Adobe Illustrator. Then go to file and select New and adjust your size to letter. For orientation you can choose to have it landscape if you want. Once you have your blank work space you will want to get a saved image. Go to File and click on Place and locate your image. Adjust the size of the image if you need to. Click on the image and then go up to the tool bar to click on the live trac...
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: 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: 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: Make a quick logo for beginners in Illustrator
This is a video about creating a logo using adobe illustrator. First go to adobe illustrator and open the new document. Next if you want to make a logo in rectangular shape take the rectangular and drag it over in the new document. Next choose a color and fill it in the rectangular. Next go for new layer and click the button. Next insert the text what you want in that rectangular. Next increase the text size how much you want. Next if you want to change the color in between the text select th...
How To: Use the blend tool in Adobe Illustrator
In this video tutorial, viewers learn how to use the blend tool in Adobe Illustrator. The blend tool will allow users to create objects between two strokes or filled objects. When you double-click on the blend tool, there will be 3 options to select from. Select the spacing and press OK. The three spacing options are: Smooth Color, Specify Steps and Specified Distance. Users are also able to select the amount strokes between the two objects. Now select the points of the two objects and it wil...
How To: Create image reflections with Adobe Illustrator CS3
This video describes how to illistrate simple reflection and shadow tutorial using Adobe. The first thing you want to do is to get the image you are going to be working with, touch up the colors. Make sure the logo is cleaned up, and ready to use. Make it more useable by making it 140x25 cm. Make a copy of your imag, flip it upside down, make sure it is pretty close to the base of the other one. This will look like the first one has a reflection right under it. Next make a 142x 27 box, put it...
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: Refine Illustrator vector art in Flash Catalyst CS5
Whether you're new to the Adobe graphic design suite or a seasoned graphic arts professional after a general overview of CS5's most vital new features, you're sure to be well served by this official video tutorial from the folks at Adobe TV. In it, you'll learn how to take Illustrator CS5 designs into Flash Catalyst and create interactive experiences without writing code. Refine your vector art in Illustrator while preserving the structure and interactivity you added in Flash Catalyst.