Drawing in Illustrator

Objectives Trace artwork with Image Trace Use the Pen tool Join paths and points Draw curved paths Reverse the direction of a path Outline a stroke Create an art brush Apply brushes Create pseudo strokes

Tracing Artwork with Image Trace Image Trace feature: Allows you to convert a digital image into individual objects Available on the Control panel when a image is placed Tracing presets Trace artwork with a variety of results Examples: black-and-white artwork, trace based on artwork color, and continuous tone

Tracing Artwork with Image Trace Expanding in Illustrator Used for a number of different procedures Makes objects selectable Located on the Object menu

Tracing Artwork with Image Trace FIGURE F-1: Image Trace on the Control panel

Tracing Artwork with Image Trace FIGURE F-2: Expanding the traced artwork

Using the Pen Tool Pen tool Creates two types of paths Straight paths: automatically connect points Curved paths: created by dragging Creates two types of anchor points Corner points: join straight paths at an angle Curved points: join curved paths with a smooth arc Smooth points Show direction handles, which determine length and arc of curved paths

Using the Pen Tool Add Anchor Point or Remove Anchor Point tool Used to add or remove anchor points Convert Anchor Point tool Converts anchor point from a corner point to a smooth point, or vice versa

Using the Pen Tool FIGURE F-3: Drawing the path FIGURE F-4: Moving the anchor point FIGURE F-5: Converting the anchor point to a smooth point

Using the Pen Tool Table F-1: Four types of Pen tools

Joining Paths and Points Join command Used to join two anchor points Unites two anchor points when positioned in the same location Automatically draws straight between two points in different locations Allows joining when using the “draw/flip” technique Average command Used to align points

Joining Paths and Points FIGURE F-6: Reflected path FIGURE F-7: Viewing the single closed path FIGURE F-8: Reshaping the object

Drawing Curved Paths Curved paths Direction handles Drawn by clicking and dragging the Pen tool to create smooth points Direction handles Can be used for modifications Best method for restarting a deselected path Click and drag the last point of the path

Drawing Curved Paths FIGURE F-9: Drawing the first path

Drawing Curved Paths FIGURE F-10: Drawing the eighth anchor point

Drawing Curved Paths FIGURE F-11: Closing the path

Reversing the Direction of a Path Direction handles: Determine the “flow” of the path when drawing a smooth point Click and drag a direction handle in a specific direction Redirecting the path: Changes the position of the direction handle so it points in the new direction Done using the Convert Anchor Point tool

Reversing the Direction of a Path FIGURE F-12: Viewing the second anchor point and direction handle

Reversing the Direction of a Path FIGURE F-13: Repositioning the direction handle

Reversing the Direction of a Path FIGURE F-14: Closing the path

Outlining a Stroke Outline Stroke command: Converts a path with a stroke into a filled object Traces the outline of the stroke at its current stroke weight Converts the stroke into a filled object with that size Especially useful when tracing a curved object Located on Object menu under Path

Outlining a Stroke FIGURE F-15: Outlined stroke FIGURE F-16: Modifying the object

Creating an Art Brush Brushes: Illustrator objects that you paint with or apply to other objects as strokes Examples: Oval shaped brush Traced object brush (e.g., charcoal line) Important method for creating interesting and classic drawing effects

Creating an Art Brush FIGURE F-17: Viewing the placed image

Creating an Art Brush FIGURE F-19: FIGURE F-18: Art Brush Options dialog box FIGURE F-18: Dragging the traced artwork to the Brushes panel

Applying Brushes Brushes in Illustrator Calligraphic, Scatter, Art, Bristle, and Pattern To apply an art brush as a stroke: Select the object and on the Brushes panel click the art brush Brush artwork will stretch and wrap around the entire object Use Stroke panel to specify brush stroke weight

Applying Brushes Changing the color of brush strokes Change the color of an applied art brush stroke just like you do any other stroke Ability to change the color of an art brush stroke depends on how the art brush was created If you find that you can’t change the color of a brush stroke, you need to modify its formatting

Applying Brushes FIGURE F-20: Evaluating the Pencil Lead brush applied FIGURE F-21: Viewing the Charcoal brush applied

Creating Pseudo Strokes False stroke effects Black copy of the artwork pasted behind the original artwork Modified so that it shows from behind the artwork in varying amounts Unique because the stroke appears to be hand-drawn

Creating Pseudo Strokes FIGURE F-22: Viewing the offset, united path FIGURE F-23: Making a point for the blade

Creating Pseudo Strokes FIGURE F-24: Viewing the final artwork

Summary Trace artwork with Image Trace Use the Pen tool Join paths and points Draw curved paths Reverse the direction of a path Outline a stroke Create an art brush Apply brushes Create pseudo strokes

Summary