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Posts tagged pathfinder
Creating a Simple Kawaii Yeti With Basic Shapes in Adobe Illustrator
May 20th
In this tutorial, I am going to show you how to make a cute monster character in Adobe Illustrator using basic shapes, Pathfinder panel, Width Tool, and Strokes. You will be able to apply these techniques to create other characters. Let’s get started! 1. Create the Body of the Yeti Step 1 Start off by creating a New Document (CMD + N) and set the artboard size to 600 by 600px. Create a square the size of the artboard using the Rectangle Tool (M) and fill with a light blue color (R=182, G=235, B=239). In the Layers panel, create two layers. The top layer is renamed “Character” and the bottom layer is renamed “Background.” Lock the bottom layer. Step 2 Select the top layer “Character”. We are going to create the body shape now. Select the Ellipse Tool (L) and click anywhere on the board. Enter width: 290px and height: 240px. Fill with white. Using the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the top point. While holding SHIFT, drag the top point approximately 80px up. Select the top point again. Select the left handle and drag it to the left, so it looks like this: Select the bottom point, and SHIFT drag down about 10px. Step 3 Now to make it symmetrical, create a rectangle that is larger than the…
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Creating a Simple Kawaii Yeti With Basic Shapes in Adobe Illustrator
Create a Resting Owl Scene With Brushes and Pattern in Adobe Illustrator
May 15th
In this tutorial, we will be creating a resting owl scene using basic shapes and brushes in Adobe Illustrator. We will also be utilizing the Paintbrush Tool to create different Stroke Weights for the tree and we will be discussing various techniques for shading and designing with patterns. Let’s get started! 1. Plan Your Composition By Sketching Out Your Idea It is important that you sketch out your ideas first before you proceed to your vector illustration. For this tutorial, I roughly sketched my ideas into Adobe Photoshop and when I sketch, I always plan ahead on what shapes or techniques to use so everything will become easier when I will be ready to deal with rendering in Adobe Illustrator. For this one in particular, I thought of using circles for the main body, the eyes and for the claws and a triangle for the ears. Then, instead of using the Pen Tool (P) for the tree and other curvy shapes, I thought of using a Paintbrush Tool (B) instead. 2. Create a New Document Let’s start by creating a document by hitting Control + N on your keyboard or you can go to File > New . I’ve used the following settings for this illustration: 3. Add a Rectangle for the Background Base Step 1 Based from my own experiences, I find it easier in my work flow to put the base background first so that, as soon as we start doing the main elements of the…
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Create a Resting Owl Scene With Brushes and Pattern in Adobe Illustrator
Why Are Open Paths an Issue With Stock Sites? (And How to Fix Them)
May 8th
When you create vector illustrations to sell on stock sites such as GraphicRiver , your file must be compliant with several technical requirements. One of the requirements states that there should be no open paths in your file. But nobody tells you why. In this article, I’ll show you why open paths can be a problem, how to find and close open paths, and how to avoid them in the first place. Why Do We Care About Open Paths? Why does anybody care about open paths? Normally, when you’re creating a vector illustration, that’s the last thing on your mind. You just want it to look good. As long as the file prints or exports fine, that’s OK, right? Well sure, but when you’re selling that same vector on GraphicRiver , you have to remember that buyers may want to edit it to suit their own needs. And this is when open paths can be a problem. Let’s look at some examples. The Squares below are identical, except for the Stroke Weight. Both shapes are open, because I cut the path at the lower right corner, using the Scissors Tool. You can see that as the Stroke Weight increase, the open path becomes apparent. If a buyer wanted to increase the Stroke Weight on a path — and that path was open – they might get some unexpected results. As the Stroke Weight increase, the open path becomes apparent. Some effects don’t work as expected when you have an open path. In the image below…
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Why Are Open Paths an Issue With Stock Sites? (And How to Fix Them)
How to Create a Detailed Flag Stand Illustration in Adobe Illustrator
Apr 22nd
In the following steps you will learn how to create a detailed flag stand illustration in Adobe Illustrator. We’ll start with the pole. Using basic tools and vector shape building techniques along with some complex gradients we’ll create the starting shapes. Next, using the Appearance panel, some basic blending techniques plus one or two effects we’ll add the highlights. Moving to the flag, you will learn how to create a simple pattern, how to easily align your shapes and how to take full advantage of the Transform effect. Finally, when you get to the thread and the Pen Tool logo you will learn some basic tips about working with strokes. 1. Create a New Document Hit CMD + N to create a new document. Enter 600 in the width box and height boxes then click on the Advanced button. Select RGB, Screen (72ppi) and make sure that the “Align New Objects to Pixel Grid” box is unchecked before your click OK. Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). For starters you’ll need a grid every 1px. Simply go to Edit…
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How to Create a Detailed Flag Stand Illustration in Adobe Illustrator
How to Create an Iron Cross Self-Mailer Template Using Adobe Illustrator
Apr 11th
Looking for something more exciting than a standard tri-fold or postcard? One attention-grabbing solution is the iron cross fold. This specialty, or exotic, fold gets its name from the cross shape/plus sign shape it forms when flat and unfolded. It is fairly easy to set up and will add significant flair to your piece. It can be either square or rectangular after folding. The flaps can vary in size and include curves or angled cuts, if desired. Last time around, we looked at creating this exotic fold in Adobe InDesign . This time, let’s look at the process to create it in Adobe Illustrator. 1. Create a New Document Due to the iron cross being an irregular shape, float the template on the page rather than create a document the trim size of the piece. Go to New > Document and set up a document that is 1 inch larger than the trim size of the entire piece. Since the outer edges of the template are 26.875 inches wide x 17.875 inches tall, the document pages need to be 27.875 inches wide x 18.875 inches tall. Leave the bleeds at zero, as you won’t need them. 2. Add a Vertical Rectangle Start by creating the vertical section of the template. Select the Rectangle Tool (M), hold down the ALT key and click anywhere on the artboard. A dialogue box will come up. Enter 9 inches in the width box and 17.875 inches in the height box. Click OK and you now have the vertical section of the template. Give it a Stroke Weight of0.5 pt. 3. Add a Horizontal…
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How to Create an Iron Cross Self-Mailer Template Using Adobe Illustrator
How to Create a Cute Burger Character & Then Turning It Into a Pattern for Cross Stitching
Apr 5th
Jump into Adobe Illustrator and create a cute cheeseburger character from scratch. Then you’ll be creating a grid and converting your image into a pixelled character perfect for resizing or cross-stitching application. You can check out the second part of this tutorial, the cross stitching process, over on Crafttuts+ . 1. Create Your Burger Base Start with a tan filled circle using the Ellipse Tool (L). Draw a Rectangle (M) and place it over the circle in a fashion similar to image #2 below. Select both shapes, hit Minus Front in Pathfinder and Ungroup the shapes. Now you can edit the hamburger bun shapes by pulling the anchor handles and moving the halves to your desired location. 2. Create Your Filling and Sesame Seeds To fill up your burger, use the Rounded Rectangle Tool for the meat and tomato slice. Place them behind the buns. Draw the lettuce with the Pencil Tool (N) and create bits of cheese slices with the Pen Tool (P). Add little details like sesame seeds with the Pen Tool (P) and copy and paste around the bun. Group all shapes together (CTRL + G). 3. Add Hands & a Face To personify our little friend, we’ll need to add some cute little hands. Draw them with the Pencil Tool (N), Copy and Paste the gloved hand, and rotate the image over…
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How to Create a Cute Burger Character & Then Turning It Into a Pattern for Cross Stitching
Quick Tip: Creating a Bazinga! Text Treatment in Adobe Illustrator
Apr 1st
With this tutorial I’ll show you how to create a Bazinga text effect made famous by Sheldon from the sitcom The Big Bang Theory in Adobe Illustrator. We’ll be using some techniques to add multiple effects to a single shape, also duplicating and copying objects quickly, as well as creating a pattern and even rotating that pattern without disrupting the shape it’s applied too. Tip: Please be aware that you may have to install fonts before you open Illustrator in order for it to show up in your list of fonts. 1. Create a New Document Let’s start off by preparing our document. Open Illustrator and hit Command + N to create a New document. You can make your document any size but for this tutorial I’ll be using a default desktop wallpaper size so enter 1024 in the width box and 768 in the height box then click on the Advanced button . Select RGB , Screen (72ppi) and make sure…
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Quick Tip: Creating a Bazinga! Text Treatment in Adobe Illustrator
How to Draw a Colorful, Tasty, Ice Cream, Sundae in Adobe Illustrator
Mar 28th
Satisfy your sweet tooth with this tutorial on making a decadent ice cream sundae illustration. Working in Adobe Illustrator with heavy use of the Pen Tool (P), Gradient Tool (G), and a focus on building each element from the ground up, I’ll combine a tasty treat and our favorite scalable medium. Step 1 I start with a basic sketch. I’ve defined various elements I’d like to use, possible color palettes, and a general idea of my composition. This was doodled up in Adobe Photoshop. I won’t be using it to trace, however. Each element in this piece is created entirely in Adobe Illustrator. Start with a simple vertical line for the center of the sundae glass and a horizontal line (not shown) defining the horizon of your picture plane. I’ve used the Pen Tool (P) and have it stroked by 1pt. These lines are going to be construction lines and will be discarded later. Make an ellipse using the Ellipse Tool (L). This will be the top of the sundae glass. Your ellipses are “rounder” the further away …
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How to Draw a Colorful, Tasty, Ice Cream, Sundae in Adobe Illustrator
How to Create a 3D Lego Text Effect in Adobe Illustrator
Mar 20th
In the following steps you will learn how to create a set of Lego pieces and how to easily turn them into a nice text effect. For starters you will only need two simple shapes and the 3D Extrude & Bevel effect. Once you organize the starting shapes we’ll continue with the highlights. First, for the shadow effect we’ll take full advantage of the Appearance panel. Next, we’ll use the Pathfinder options along with some basic blending techniques and effects. Finally, for the coloring we’ll use a simple blending trick plus a basic masking technique. Step 1 Hit Command + N to create a new document. Enter 600 in the width box and height boxes then click on the Advanced button. Select RGB, Screen (72ppi) and make sure that the “Align New Objects to Pixel Grid” box is unchecked before your click OK. Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). For this tutorial you’ll need a grid every 1px. Simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides > Grid, enter 1 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. You should also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Do not forget to set the unit of measurement to pixels from Edit > Preferences > Unit > General. All these options will significantly increase your work speed. Step 2 Using the Rectangle Tool (M), create a 70px…
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How to Create a 3D Lego Text Effect in Adobe Illustrator
Quick Tip: Create a Simple, Pen Tool Free, File Icon in Illustrator
Mar 15th
In the following steps you will learn how to create a simple file icon in Adobe Illustrator. It’s a pretty simple tutorial that will introduce you to the basics of pixel perfect vector shape building techniques. For the starting shapes you will only need the Rectangle Tool (M), the Rounded Corners effect and some simple Pathfinder options. Next, for the coloring you will need a simple linear gradient, a bunch of flat colors and some simple blending techniques. In the final/extra step you will learn how powerful the Transform effect can be. Step 1 Open Adobe Illustrator and hit Command + N to create a new document. Enter 600 in the width box and 300 in the height box then click on the Advanced button. Select RGB, Screen (72ppi) and make sure that the “Align New Objects to Pixel Grid” box is unchecked before…
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Quick Tip: Create a Simple, Pen Tool Free, File Icon in Illustrator