Topics Covered:
- Opening new document, sizing/orientation
- Interface (drawing ribbon, selection tool-direct vs select)
- Importing linework from CAD – CAD file must be saved down to 2007 version
- Stroke/Fill
- Saving and Exporting file
Topic_01: Getting Started
- File>Open>Choose the “.dwg” you saved in AutoCAD>Select Scale to Fit Artboard
- Window>Layers (F7)>Opens the layer window; Here you can see the layers saved
- Create new layers by clicking the Create New Layer icon at bottom right of Layers window
- Layer order establishes drawing order
- Selecting everything on a layer through the image selection box – drag to change object layer
- Renaming
- Locking and visibility
- Selecting objects
- Direct select vs select tools (white arrow vs black arrow)
- Shift selecting control points
- Shift image enlarging – avoid image distortion
- Zooming through ctrl + or ctrl –
- Copy/Paste ctrl C/ctrl V
Topic_02: Modifying Linework
- Window>Stroke>The stroke window controls the appearance of the line-work
- Weight>Select object, toggle through preset values in drop down menu or create a custom stroke by double-clicking in the box. (Cap, corner, align stroke, dashed line)
- Cap>(butt, round, projecting)
- Corner>(miter, round, bevel)
- Align Stroke>leave default for now (center)
- Dash>check to activate>Add values for “dash” and “gap” to create custom line-type
- DO NOT USE Profile. Diagrams will be crisp, clean and concise.
- Fill and Stroke color
- File>Save As>Save as Illustrator (.ai) and as PDF (.pdf). Leave default settings>Okay
Commands: Default Shortcut
Place: ctrl shift P
Hold shift when moving objects or scaling.
Right-click>Arrange>Send to back/Send to current layer/Bring to front…
Zoom: ctrl +/-
Pan: hold space bar
Rulers: ctrl R
Pen: P
Type (Text): T
Paint Bucket: K
Refer to the adobe “cheat sheet” for others: https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/illustrator/pdf/illustrator_cheat-sheet.pdf
Refer to Adobe TV for additional tutorials: http://tv.adobe.com/product/illustrator/
