Illustrator 9:  Introduction

Course Description

Overview:   Adobe Illustrator 9 Introduction is a hands-on instruction book that will introduce you to the basics of Illustrator 9.0. Adobe Illustrator is a sophisticated graphics program capable of creating complex and attractive illustrations and type effects. In this course, you will learn many of the basic skills that will allow you to take advantage of Illustrator’s powerful tools.

Prerequisites:   We designed Adobe Illustrator 9 Introduction for the student who has little or no experience using Adobe Illustrator and who needs to learn the basics skills that are necessary to begin using this program effectively.

Before taking this course, you should have a basic understanding of your computer’s operating system. For example, you should know how to launch an application, create and save files, and copy files from CD and other media.

Performance-Based Objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Navigate in the Adobe Illustrator environment.
• Master the use of the Pencil and Pen tools to create paths.
• Use several tools to manipulate and modify paths.
• Create and edit geometric objects.
• Apply fill and stroke attributes to objects and paths.
• Define process colors and gradients and work with spot colors.
• Use layers to manage complex illustrations.
• Use the Transparency palette to change the opacity of selected objects.
• Enter and format type in an illustration, and create eye-catching type effects.

Course Content

Lesson 1: Illustrator Environment

          Topic 1A: Parts of a Window

                   Task 1A-1: Viewing the Parts of a Window

                   Task 1A-2: Using Illustrator’s Palettes

          Topic 1B: Navigating in Illustrator

                   Task 1B-1: Preview and Outline Modes

                   Task 1B-2: Zooming

                   Task 1B-3: Scrolling

                   Task 1B-4: Navigation Shortcuts

                   Task 1B-5: Using the Navigator Palette

Lesson 2: Working with Paths

          Topic 2A: Vector Graphics and Raster Graphics

          Topic 2B: Drawing Tools

                   Task 2B-1: Using the Pencil Tool

                   Task 2B-2: Using the Erase Tool

                   Task 2B-3: Redrawing with the Pencil Tool

                   Task 2B-4: Using the Smooth Tool

                   Task 2B-5: Creating Straight Segments with the Pen Tool

                   Task 2B-6: Constraining Straight Segments

                   Task 2B-7: Creating Curved Segments

                   Task 2B-8: Multiple Segment Paths

                   Task 2B-9: Changing Direction

                   Task 2B-10: Combining Straight and Curved Segments

          Topic 2C: Editing Paths

                   Task 2C-1: Continuing Paths with the Pen Tool

                   Task 2C-2: Using Selection Tools

Lesson 3: Working with Objects

          Topic 3A: Using Rulers

                   Task 3A-1: Using Rulers

          Topic 3B: Creating Objects

                   Task 3B-1: Drawing Rectangles

                   Task 3B-2: Drawing from Center

                   Task 3B-3: Drawing Rounded Rectangles

                   Task 3B-4: Drawing Ovals

          Topic 3C: Editing Objects

                   Task 3C-1: Editing Points

                   Task 3C-2: Scaling Objects Numerically

                   Task 3C-3: Adding Anchor Points

                   Task 3C-4: Converting Direction Points

                   Task 3C-5: Deleting Anchor Points

                   Task 3C-6: Grouping Objects

          Topic 3D: Editing Objects

                   Task 3D-1: Tracing Curves, Circles, and Paths

Lesson 4: Paint Attributes

          Topic 4A: Applying Color

                   Task 4A-1: Applying Fill and Stroke

                   Task 4A-2: Copying Fill and Stroke Attributes

          Topic 4B: Creating Colors

                   Task 4B-1: Learning About Process Colors

                   Task 4B-2: Mixing Process Colors

                   Task 4B-3: Swatch Libraries

                   Task 4B-4: Converting Spot Colors to Process

          Topic 4C: Gradients

                   Task 4C-1: Linear Gradients

                   Task 4C-2: Radial Gradients

          Topic 4D: Using Brushes

                   Task 4D-1: Applying Brushes

          Topic 4E: Transparency

                   Task 4E-1: Changing Opacity

Lesson 5: Layers

          Topic 5A: Stacking Order

                   Task 5A-1: Managing Stacking Order

          Topic 5B: Using Layers

                   Task 5B-1: Creating Layers

                   Task 5B-2: Assigning Objects to Layers

                   Task 5B-3: Using Layer Options

          Topic 5C: Using Layers

                   Task 5C-1: Applying Paint Attributes and Using Layers

Lesson 6: Working with Type

          Topic 6A: Creating Type

                   Task 6A-1: Creating Type

                   Task 6A-2: Formatting Type

          Topic 6B: Type within an Area

                   Task 6B-1: Creating Type within an Area

          Topic 6C: Copying Type Formatting

                   Task 6C-1: Copying Type Formatting

          Topic 6D: Type on a Path

                   Task 6D-1: Type on a Path

          Topic 6E: Type Objects

                   Task 6E-1: Applying Color to Type Objects

          Topic 6F: Creating Outlines

                   Task 6F-1: Creating Outlines

          Topic 6G: Creating Outlines

                   Task 6G-1: Adding Type

Lesson 7: Creating Output

          Topic 7A: Printing

                   Task 7A-1: Printing

                   Task 7A-2: Save for Web