computer illustration | final review

• RGB color mode:

additive colors because you create white by adding R, G, and B together—that is, all light is reflected back to the eye

used for lighting, television, and computer monitors

each of the RGB components can use a value ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white)

when the value of all components is 255, the result is pure white; when all components have values of 0, the result is pure black

• CMYK color mode:

based on the light-absorbing quality of ink printed on paper
subtractive colors- combining pure cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) pigments would result in black by absorbing, or subtracting, all colors

black (K) ink is added for better shadow density. (the letter K came into use because black is the “key” color for registering other colors, and because the letter B also stands for blue) 

combining these inks to reproduce color is called four-color process printing

each of the CMYK process inks can use a value ranging from 0 to 100% 

low ink percentages are closer to white, and high ink percentages are closer to black
use CMYK when preparing a document to be printed using process inks

• linked images: 

image that is linked to an external file, like a shortcut on your computer.

not a part of the new file, therefore, the AI file size is smaller
easily updated- the original image can be changed in a different program (ie. Photoshop) & when the image is viewed in Illustrator, the old image file will be updated to the new, modified, image file automatically
can be lost, because their file location can’t be moved without re-linking
if you give the AI file to someone and it contains linked images, you will have to give them the individual image files too

• embedded images:

image that is re-stored within the new file

become a part of the AI file
are not affected by changes to the original file
since they are a part of the new file, you don’t have to worry about transferring all of the individual image files along with the AI file
increase the size of the AI file

• templates:

let you create new documents that share common settings and design elements

the template can also contain symbols for common design elements (such as logos) and specific sets of color swatches, brushes, and graphic styles
when a template is selected via the New From Template command, Illustrator creates a new document with identical content and document settings as the template, but leaves the original template file untouched

• EPS:

stands for Encapsulated PostScript

graphic file format that describes an image (raster/bitmap) or a drawing (vector) or both

• raster:

created with pixel-based programs or captured with a camera or scanner

they are more common in general such as jpg, gif, png, and are widely used on the web

• vector:

created with vector software and are common for images that will be applied onto a physical product

• vector EPS or raster are the only type of graphic files than can be placed into an Illustrator document

• rasterize:

will transform your effect into a real rasterized image like a picture, including the edges of the paths

effect will change in size depending on how you resize the rasterized artwork

convert to a pixel bitmap

object > rasterize is destructive- once it rasterizes something the only way to un-rasterize it is to use edit > undo

effect > rasterize is non-destructive and designed to let you preview how rasterized objects appear without actually rasterizing anything. (objects get rasterized upon output if the effect is in use)

• effects:

the ones in the top half of "effects" only apply to vector objects or the stroke/fill of a bitmap object

the ones in the bottom half are raster effects that can be applied to vector or bitmap objects

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/summary-effects.html

• artistic effects: 

simulate paintings or illustrations created with traditional mediums such as paint, charcoal, or watercolor

• mask:

mask is a way to hide part or all of an image—using a solid or transparency (alpha) mask

object whose shape masks other artwork so that only areas that lie within the shape are visible—in effect, clipping the artwork to the shape of the mask

clipping mask and the objects that are masked are called a clipping set

• compound path: 

made out of at least two objects

you can add, subtract and intersect shapes to form a compound path

• opacity masks:

provides the shape through which other objects show

the masking object defines which areas are transparent and the degree of transparency

Illustrator uses grayscale equivalents of the colors in masking object for opacity levels in the mask

where the opacity mask is white, the artwork is fully visible. where the opacity mask is black, the artwork is hidden. shades of gray in the mask result in varying degrees of transparency in the artwork

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/transparency-blending-modes.html

• blending modes: 

let you vary the ways that the colors of objects blend with the colors of underlying objects

when you apply a blending mode to an object, the effect of the blending mode is seen on any objects that lie beneath the object’s layer or group
the blend color is the original color of the selected object, group, or layer
the base color is the underlying color in the artwork
the resulting color is the color resulting from the blend

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/transparency-blending-modes.html

• envelope distort:

envelopes are objects that distort or reshape selected objects

you can make an envelope out of an object on your artboard, or you can use a preset warp shape or a mesh grid as an envelope

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/reshape-using-envelopes.html

• transform objects:

encompasses moving, rotating, reflecting, scaling, and shearing objects

transform objects using the Transform panel, object > transform commands, and specialized tools

• pathfinder:

https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-pathfinder-panel--vector-3306

• expand:

command that allows path operations to change the path of the objects and not just the appearance

• styles: 

named set of appearance attributes

• symbols:

an art object that you store and can re-use over and over again

• gradient:

colors are defined by a series of stops along the gradient slider

stop marks the point at which a gradient changes from one color to the next, and is identified by a square below the gradient slider

• gradient tools:

works only on selected objects that are filled with a gradient already; a tool that allows you to change the direction of the applied gradient

• brushes:

apply artwork to paths to decorate paths with patterns, figures, textures, or angled strokes

https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/brushes.html

• mesh tool:

provides a way to create realistic blends that follow the contours of a specific shape

• mesh object:

multicolored object on which colors can flow in different directions & transition smoothly from one point to another

• mesh-lines: 

multiple lines crisscross the object & provide a way to easily manipulate color transitions on the object

• mesh point: 

intersection of two mesh lines

• mesh patch: 

area btwn any 4 mesh points

• warp effect:

distorts objects including paths, text, meshes, blends, and raster images

• mapping:

to lay vector or raster artwork on a surface of a 3D extruded object

• 3D effects:

extrude

bevel

revolve

rotate

• layers panel:

computer illustration | midterm review

• Describe how to get a “tear off” menu?

Click and hold the Selection tool over a tool until the group of tools that resides underneath appears. Without releasing the mouse, drag to the triangle at the end of the group and then release the mouse to tear off the group.

• What are guides? How can you make them?

Guides help you align text and graphic objects.

Create guides:

If the rulers aren’t showing, choose View > Show Rulers.

Position the pointer on the left ruler for a vertical guide or on the top ruler for a horizontal guide.

Drag the guide into position.

To convert vector objects to guides, select them and choose View > Guides > Make Guides.

• Know the two viewing modes and when/why you use each one.

By default, Adobe Illustrator sets the view so that all artwork is previewed (CPU) in color, but when you need to edit "the bones" of an illustration, you can choose to display artwork so that only its outlines (or paths) are visible. 

• Which mode is the fastest mode to work in? Why?

Outline mode- viewing artwork without paint attributes speeds up the time it takes to redraw the screen when working with complex artwork.

• What are primitive shape tools? 

Tool that automatically draws the set shape.

• Name the primitive shape tools.

Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Spiral, and Star tool.

• Understand modifier keys and how they change the different primitive shape tools. 

These key combinations will alter the way the object is drawn. There are 3 key combinations that can be used with the primitive shape tools:

-Shift (constrain a primitive shape to be proportionate.)

-Option (draw the selected primitive shape from the center point out.)

-Shift + Option (constrain your primitive shape to proportionate measurements while drawing it from the center point out.)

• Understand object transformations and how you access and apply the different transformations available.

Window > Transform.

Scale

Shear

Rotate

Reflect

• The two fundamental components of any vector object created in Illustrator are the anchor points and segments that make up the shape’s outlines or paths. 

• Know the definition of a segment.

The simplest path you can draw with the Pen tool is a straight line, made by clicking the Pen tool to create two anchor points.

• Know the definition of a path.

A path is the black line that appears when you draw a line in Adobe Illustrator. A path is made up of a series of points called “anchor points” and line segments between these points. 

• The Pen tool is the most important of all the Illustrator tools because it allows the widest range of creation and control over custom paths. 

• Know the difference between a closed path and an open path. 

Open Paths – This is a simple line with two end points.

Closed Paths – A closed shape no end points. Ex: rectangle, circle etc.

• Know the Pen tool symbols (icons that show next to the cursor).

more here

• Curving segments are also known as Bezier curves. 

• Know how to create a curved segment.

You create a curve by adding an anchor point where a curve changes direction, and dragging the direction lines that shape the curve. The length and slope of the direction lines determine the shape of the curve.

• Know the difference between smooth points and corner points. 

Smooth point- made up of two linked control handles and help prevent the path from changing direction abruptly. both handles are in line w each other.

Corner Points- helps the path change direction. formed by line segments whose curves do not transition smoothly together.

• Know the difference between the Selection tool and the Direct Selection tool and when to use each one of them. 

Selection tool- allows you to select text and graphics frames, and work with an object using its bounding box. 

Direct selection tool- allows you to select the contents of a frame, such as a placed graphic, or work directly with editable objects, such as paths, rectangles, or type that has been converted to a text outline.

• All shapes comprise of anchor points and segments and can therefore be modified on a point-by-point basis. 

• Know the two components involved when painting objects. 

Fill and stroke.

• Know the ways you can color an object. 

Gradients, with patterns, paint brush, etc.

• Know the definition of a stroke.

A stroke can be the visible outline of an object, a path, or the edge of a Live Paint group.

• Understand Brushes, how you can access the different brush libraries, and how to apply them in your illustration.

Brushes let you stylize the appearance of paths. There are different types of brushes in Illustrator:

-calligraphic (strokes that resemble those drawn with the angled point of a calligraphic pen and are drawn along the center of the path.)

-scatter (disperse copies of an object (such as a ladybug or a leaf) along the path.)

-art (stretch a brush shape or object shape evenly along the length of the path.)

-pattern (paint a pattern—made of individual tiles—that repeats along the path.)

-bristle (create brush strokes with the appearance of a natural brush with bristles.) 

(Window > Brush Libraries > [library]).

You can apply brush strokes to a path created with any drawing tool, including the Pen tool, Pencil tool, or basic shape tools. Do one of the following:

-Select the path, and then select a brush in a brush library, the Brushes panel, or the Control panel.

-Drag a brush onto the path. If the path already has brush strokes applied to it, then the new brush replaces the old brush.

• Understand the Gradient panel and how to make/manipulate gradients. 

Gradient colors are defined by a series of stops along the gradient slider. A stop marks the point at which a gradient changes from one color to the next, and is identified by a square below the gradient slider. The squares display the color currently assigned to each gradient stop. With a radial gradient, the leftmost gradient stop defines the center point’s color fill, which radiates outward to the color of the rightmost gradient stop. Using the options in the Gradient panel or with the Gradient tool, you can specify the number and location of stops, angle in which the colors display, aspect ratio of an elliptical gradient, and the opacity of each color.

• Know how to create a blend between objects. 

-Select the blend tool.

-To blend in sequential order with no rotation, click anywhere on each object, but avoid anchor points. To blend to a specific anchor point on an object, click the anchor point with the Blend tool. When the pointer is over an anchor point, the pointer changes from a white square to transparent with a black dot in its center. To blend open paths, select an endpoint on each path.

-When you are finished adding objects to the blend, click the Blend tool again.

• Know the different options for making a “blend.” 

You set blending options by double-clicking the Blend tool  or choosing Object > Blend > Blend Options. To change options for an existing blend, select the blended object first.

Spacing- determines how many steps are added to the blend.

Smooth Color- lets Illustrator auto-calculate the number of steps for the blends. If objects are filled or stroked with different colors, the steps are calculated to provide the optimum number of steps for a smooth color transition. If the objects contain identical colors, or if they contain gradients or patterns, the number of steps is based on the longest distance between the bounding box edges of the two objects.

Specified Steps- controls the number of steps between the start and end of the blend.

Specified Distance- controls the distance between the steps in the blend. The distance specified is measured from the edge of one object to the corresponding edge on the next object (for example, from the rightmost edge of one object to the rightmost edge of the next).

Orientation- determines the orientation of blended objects.

Align to Page- orients the blend perpendicular to the x axis of the page.

Align to Path- orients the blend perpendicular to the path.

• What are blending modes? How do they work?

Blending modes let you vary the ways that the colors of objects blend with the colors of underlying objects. When you apply a blending mode to an object, the effect of the blending mode is seen on any objects that lie beneath the object’s layer or group.

To change the blending mode of a fill or stroke, select the object, and then select the fill or stroke in the Appearance panel. In the Transparency panel, choose a blending mode from the pop‑up menu.