Adobe Illustrator CS5 – Illustrated Unit C: Going Beyond the Basics

Objectives Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to: Use the Transform Each command Select within groups and make guides Modify objects with Direct Selection tool Work with the stacking order Create interlocking objects

Objectives Create concentric circles Use the Unite shape mode Add visual complexity with the stacking order

Using the Transform Each Command Offers the option to transform multiple objects simultaneously Provides SCALE, MOVE, ROTATE, REFLECT all in same dialog box

Using the Transform Each Command FIGURE C-1: Transform Each dialog box

Using the Transform Each Command FIGURE C-2: Squares are scaled 70% FIGURE C-3: Pattern created with the Transform Each command

Selecting Within Groups and Making Guides Selection tool Used to select all objects in a group Direct Selection tool Used to select individual objects within a group Make Guides command Used to convert Illustrator objects into guides (i.e., object guides) View | Guides | Make Guides

Selecting Within Groups and Making Guides FIGURE C-5: Viewing two object guides

Modifying Objects with the Direct Selection Tool Used to select individual components of a single vector object Anchor points appear white or hollow Hollow anchor points can be selected individually When you apply the Add Anchor Points command, the entire object becomes selected (Object | Path | Add Anchor Points)

Modifying Objects with the Direct Selection Tool FIGURE C-7: Moving a single anchor point

Working with the Stacking Order Order of how objects are arranged Objects are created in front of the existing objects by default Arrange commands on the Object menu Allows you to manipulate stacking order Draw Behind drawing mode Button on the tools panel Allows objects to be created behind a object or at the bottom of the stacking order Eyedropper tool

Working with the Stacking Order FIGURE C-9: Red rectangle sent to the back of the stacking order FIGURE C-10: Moving the blue oval forward in the stacking order

Creating Interlocking Objects Line segments Selected when you click a path with the Direct Selection tool Fall within each set of two anchor points Interlocking objects Created using the Paste commands and changing the stacking order

Creating Interlocking Objects FIGURE C-16: Identifying the two anchor points to select FIGURE C-17: The completed effect—it’s all an illusion

Creating Concentric Circles Circles that have a common center Created using the Offset Path command Object | Path | Offset Path Offsetting a path Negative input value = smaller path Positive input value = larger path

Creating Concentric Circles FIGURE C-18: Concentric and evenly space circles FIGURE C-19: Each new circle is .25" outside its original

Using the Unite Shape Mode Pathfinder panel Contains pre-programmed actions to perform basic functions on selected objects Shape modes and pathfinders: allow new shapes to be created from overlapping objects Shape modes: first row Pathfinders: second row

Using the Unite Shape Mode Unites multiple paths as a single object FIGURE C-20: Uniting all the paths

Adding Visual Complexity with the Stacking Order Manages which objects are in front of or behind other objects Can be used to add visual complexity to an illustration Pasting new objects in front of or behind existing objects can add a sense of dimension, layering, and depth Nudging objects Use arrow keys to move objects 1 pixel at a time (or Shift for 10 pixels)

Adding Visual Complexity with the Stacking Order FIGURE C-25: Final illustration