Adobe Illustrator

Learn just what you need, with a Connect Learning tutor

New Features in Adobe Illustrator CS5

Your CL tutor can help you learn to

  • Use round-trip editing with Flash Catalyst and Illustrator
  • Draw shapes and scenes in accurate 1-,2-, or 3-point linear perspective
  • Fully control variable-width strokes, arrowheads, dashes, and art brush scaling along a path
  • Paint with vectors that resemble natural-media brush strokes
  • Use Adobe’s free HTML 5 Pack for Illustrator CS5*
  • Take Illustrator designs into Flash Catalyst to create interactive experiences without writing code
  • Create vector objects on the file’s pixel grid for web and mobile devices
  • Save time. Join paths with a keystroke, draw behind, and draw inside
  • Work with shapes without accessing multiple tools and panels
  • Apply effects, such as blurs, that stay consistent at different resolutions on Web and devices

* See Sally Smith’s September 25 blog, HTML 5 Pack for Illustrator CS5 for a link to a free download plus a link to a video introduction.

See short movies at the Adobe site on the new features of Illustrator CS5 listed above.

Core Adobe Illustrator Techniques

Such a lot to learn; here are a few suggestions from CL Adobe Tutor Garnet Gaither:

  • Using the pen tool for making curves
  • Editing nodes and curve handles for precision shapes
  • Designing and editing guides and grids
  • Using gradient mesh for complex shading
  • Editing text for custom letter shapes
  • Using text along a path, in shapes, and vertically
  • Correctly putting multiple outlines around text and shapes
  • Making custom dash lines into complex borders
  • Using layers to organize a complex illustration
  • Using transformation tools mathematically
  • Designing patterns, brushes and symbols
  • Creating image masks and compound paths
  • Making and using blends to create complex gradients
  • Attaching blends along a path
  • Making spot color separations
  • Combining and editing shapes using the pathfinder
  • Acquiring paths from a photograph
  • Using special effects on text and shapes
  • Making shapes with 3D effects