1. Getting Started with Adobe Illustrator CS6

2. Objectives Define illustration software
Start Adobe Illustrator CS6 and change preference settings
View the workspace
Create and save a document
Change the artboard size and close a document
Open a document and change views
Get help
Work with ruler guides
Work with Smart Guides and exit Illustrator

3. Defining Illustration Software
Vector graphics
Graphics created in Adobe Illustrator
Created with lines and curves
Defined by mathematical objects (i.e., vectors)
Consist of anchor points and line segments
Together referred to as paths
Render bold graphics with crisp lines
Can be scaled to various sizes

4. Defining Illustration Software
With Illustrator, you can:
Create simple or complex illustrations
Variety of simple shape and drawing tools
Apply process and spot colors
Many swatch libraries
Create type
Large blocks of text, large bold headlines, type on a path, or type that fills an object
Create gradient fills
Multicolor blend that fills objects or outlines

5. Defining Illustration Software
Transform and distort objects
Scale, Rotate, Reflect, Shear
Export documents
Flash movies (*.swf), Photoshop documents (*.psd), and JPEGs (*.jpg)
Work with Multiple Artboards
Work on front and back of a design in one document
Design differently-sized components of a project

6. Defining Illustration Software
FIGURE A-1: Vector graphic

7. Starting Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Changing Preference Settings
Illustrator can be started by:
Selecting the program application icon or by double-clicking it
Depends on operating system
In Windows:
Click the Start button and navigate to Adobe Illustrator CS6
In Mac:
Open Finder, click hard drive icon, click Applications, navigate to Adobe Illustrator CS6

8. Starting Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Changing Preference Settings
FIGURE A-2: Starting Illustrator CS6 (Windows)

9. Starting Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Changing Preference Settings
FIGURE A-2: Starting Illustrator (Macintosh)

10. Starting Adobe Illustrator CS6 and Changing Preference Settings
Setting preferences
You can make changes to Illustrator based on your personal preferences
For example, you can change the color of guides and Smart Guides, and specify whether documents are opened as tabbed or not
To open the Preferences dialog box, click Edit (Win) or Illustrator (Mac) on the Menu bar, point to Preferences, then click a preference category

11. Viewing the Workspace Workspace includes: Essentials Tools panel
Status bar
Menu bar
Control panel
Additional panels
Essentials
Default workspace
Includes basic tools and panels

12. Viewing the Workspace New workspace Custom workspaces
Click Workspace switcher in Menu bar
Click Essentials
Modify using Control panel
Custom workspaces
Used for specific types of projects
Click Window on Menu bar
Point to Workspace
Click one of the nine workspace names

13. Viewing the Workspace
FIGURE A-3: The Illustrator workspace

14. Creating and Saving a Document
Creating a new document
Start by making choices in New Document dialog box
Artboard name, size, and number
Save As command
Save a document with a new name
Save recent changes
New Document Profile menu
Specifies type of document needed

15. Creating and Saving a Document
FIGURE A-4: New Document dialog box

16. Creating and Saving a Document
FIGURE A-5: Save As dialog box

17. Changing the Artboard Size and Closing a Document
Changing artboard size
Click Artboard tool on Tools panel
Dotted lines appear around selected artboard
Drag an edge or change width and height values on Control panel
Exit artboard mode
Click any tool on Tools panel

18. Changing the Artboard Size and Closing a Document
FIGURE A-6: Manually resizing the artboard

19. Changing the Artboard Size and Closing a Document
FIGURE A-7: Left artboard is resized

20. Changing the Artboard Size and Closing a Document
Close a document
Click Close button on document title or document tab
Working in artboard mode
Many ways to work with multiple artboards
Click Artboard tool on Tools panel to enter artboard mode

21. Opening a Document and Changing Views
Opening Illustrator documents
Preview mode
Shows fill and stroke colors
Shows how each object is layered
Outline mode
Shows only the vector outline
Bounding box
Selection box that appears when object is selected an object
Contains resize handles

22. Opening a Document and Changing Views
Creating new views
Artboard area can be defined and saved as named view
Can be selected from View menu
New View feature
Allows creation of window views of specific sections of the artboard

23. Opening a Document and Changing Views

24. Getting Help Help feature Can be accessed while working in Illustrator
Provides articles on specific Illustrator topics, videos, and tutorials
Click Help on Menu bar
Click Illustrator Help
Illustrator Help page of Adobe.com website opens

25. Getting Help
FIGURE A-10: Adobe Illustrator CS6 Help screen

26. Getting Help
FIGURE A-11: Improved user interface page

27. Getting Help
FIGURE A-12: Panels information

28. Working with Ruler Guides
Vertical and horizontal lines useful for aligning objects on the artboard
Created using the horizontal and vertical rulers in the workspace
Can be locked or unlocked
Can be moved, deleted, and hidden

29. Working with Ruler Guides
FIGURE A-13: Viewing the rulers in Illustrator

30. Working with Ruler Guides
FIGURE A-14: Viewing the horizontal guide

31. Working with Ruler Guides
FIGURE A-15: Viewing the vertical guide

32. Working with Smart Guides and Exiting Illustrator
Visual aids that work alongside ruler guides
Useful when you need to be precise about alignment of objects and for moving objects
Appear as you drag the mouse pointer over the artboard

33. Working with Smart Guides and Exiting Illustrator
FIGURE A-16: Viewing Smart Guides

34. Working with Smart Guides and Exiting Illustrator
FIGURE A-17: Aligning the center of the two objects

35. Working with Smart Guides and Exiting Illustrator
FIGURE A-18: Result of moving the diamond

36. Summary Open a document and change views Get help
Define illustration software
Start Adobe Illustrator CS6 and change preference settings
View the workspace
Create and save a document
Change the artboard size and close a document
Open a document and change views
Get help
Work with ruler guides
Work with Smart Guides and exit Illustrator