Using Adobe Illustrator CC

Differences in Photoshop & Illustrator 

Adobe Illustrator 

Vector Shapes 
Resolution Independent 
Infinitely Scalable 

Adobe Photoshop 

Pixel based 
Resolution Dependent 
Size must be specified 

- In Illustrator vector files maintain crisp look and edge during resizing 
- Vectors can be resized without losing quality 
- Made of vectors and anchors 

Appropriate Resolution

300ppi for design for print & 72ppi design for screen 

Creating an art board allows you to create a document to size. 

Basic Shapes  

- Use the shapes tool - click and draw to size, can be sized by width and height by clicking on the shape

- Holding down shift the shape contains its original shape without shift the shape becomes distorted. 

- Using the pen tool and filling in anchor points also enables you to create shapes 

- If you don't want to complete a path press 'esc' this ends the path. 

To place a Photoshop file in Illustrator - click File Place
Cmd and 'R" - show rulers shortcut  

Click Layers option making the first image a template layer then work on Layer 2.
Pencil tool traces fine details. 
Smooth tool creates smoother edges to a shape.

Skills used in "Totoro" Exercise 
- Placing Photoshop Image 
- Using Template Layers
- Using Guides 
- Using Layers ( new layers, moving objects to different layers, arranging objects - front->back)
- Using the Reflect tool 
- Joining Anchor Points  
- Duplicating using Alt & Drag 
- Using the pencil tool
- Grouping Objects 
- Using the Space bar to reposition an object and anchor point
- Using an Anchor Point to set centre of transformation
- Applying variable width to strokes (using presets and manually using variable width tool)
- Expanding appearance
- Setting Path and corner options 


Example image I created in Illustrator :