Illustrator CS Most Wanted : Techniques and Effects

by Kloskowski, Matt

• ISBN13: 9781590593721
• ISBN10: 1590593723
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-01
• Publisher: Springer-Verlag New York Inc

Summary

If youre looking for a book to teach you some of the most useful techniques in Adobe Illustrator CS, your search is over. If youre looking for exercises that make learning about Illustrator CS more fun, look no further. Most of all, if youre looking for a book to empower you to create illustrations that are worth bragging about, youve found it!Illustrator CS Most Wanted: Techniques and Effects responds to the demands of a growing group of illustrators who want to take their skills to the next level.In this book, youll learn how to do the following: Create stunning 3D illustrations using Illustrator CSs new 3D effects. Expand your drawing abilities and learn how to make use of Illustrators various path tools to do the work for you. Transform a photograph into a stylized vector illustration. Master transparency techniques that will give your illustrations a lifelike appearance. Fade, transform, and blend artwork like never before using opacity masks and the powerful Blend tool. Use Illustrator to create retro-styled artwork. Produce cartoon, game, and animation effects that can be used with various animation programs. Explore the huge library of preset artwork Adobe has included with Illustrator CS and see how it can save you time and provide you with endless inspiration. Design illustrations that are worth bragging about. Utilize the downladable creative and inspirational source files (even the fonts are included!) for every exercise so you can work at your own pace and never be left without the final illustration.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
About the Author	viii
About the Technical Reviewer	ix
Acknowledgments	x
Introduction	xi
Chapter 1: Drawing and Paintbrush Effects	1	(40)
Using template layers in Illustrator	2	(3)
Creating a gear wheel	5	(6)
Creating a bottle cap	11	(8)
Drawing and calligraphic brush effects	19	(4)
Creating a spiral cord with a custom paintbrush	23	(7)
Hand-drawn effects using the Scribble effect	30	(5)
Advanced path techniques: TechTV logo	35	(4)
Summary	39	(2)
Chapter 2: Text Effects	41	(34)
Creating multistroked text	42	(3)
Matrix text	45	(7)
Text warping	52	(4)
Shiny aqua blue text	56	(5)
Type on a path	61	(5)
Modifying a restaurant menu: new CS features	66	(7)
Using custom character styles	66	(4)
Paragraph styles	70	(3)
Summary	73	(2)
Chapter 3: Blending	75	(16)
Basic blending-fading light effects	76	(3)
Blending objects along a path	79	(3)
Simulating reality with blends-create a water droplet	82	(4)
Using the Blend tool to create contoured gradients	86	(3)
Summary	89	(2)
Chapter 4: Trendy Effects	91	(32)
Trends	91	(1)
Starburst effect	92	(4)
Retro background patterns	96	(3)
Aqua smooth plastic buttons	99	(4)
Retro style poster type	103	(4)
High-tech Euro collage effects	107	(8)
Pop art vector illustration	115	(6)
Summary	121	(2)
Chapter 5: 3D Effects	123	(24)
The new 3D effect	123	(1)
Creating dice with the 3D tool	124	(5)
Creating 3D text	129	(2)
Adding depth to a flat object	131	(3)
Wireframe objects	134	(5)
Modeling a wine bottle	139	(5)
Summary	144	(3)
Chapter 6: Adding Depth and Dimension	147	(24)
Depth effects	147	(1)
Creating a leaf with the Mesh tool	148	(6)
Shadow effects	154	(5)
Simulating depth with gradients and glows	159	(4)
Using Liquify tools to simulate dimension	163	(3)
Incorporating depth of field in an illustration	166	(3)
Summary	169	(2)
Chapter 7: Illustrator Animation Techniques	171	(20)
Animation	171	(1)
3D rotating box	172	(4)
Text warping	176	(4)
Rotating text around a circle	180	(2)
Exploding dots	182	(5)
Animation with brushes	187	(2)
Summary	189	(2)
Chapter 8: The Great Outdoors	191	(22)
Nature	191	(1)
Ocean scenery-water and sky	192	(4)
Desert scenery	196	(9)
The sky	196	(1)
The ground	197	(1)
The mountains	198	(4)
Clouds	202	(1)
Foliage	203	(2)
Underwater scene	205	(6)
Summary	211	(2)
Chapter 9: Cartoon and Game Effects	213	(30)
Cartoons and games	213	(1)
Cartoon faces-Eyes, nose, and mouth	214	(8)
Flat eyes	214	(2)
Eyelids	216	(1)
3D eyes	217	(1)
Noses	218	(1)
Front view nose	218	(1)
Free-formed nose	219	(1)
Mouth	220	(2)
Using a perspective grid	222	(5)
Background scenery for games	227	(7)
Isometric scenes	234	(7)
Summary	241	(2)
Chapter 10: The Business Side of Illustrator	243	(22)
Custom designs for bar graphs	244	(4)
Creating maps	248	(7)
Creating the map	248	(2)
Creating roads	250	(1)
Adding icons for places of interest	251	(1)
Creating railways	252	(3)
Technical illustration	255	(8)
Summary	263	(2)
Project 1: Isometric City	265	(30)
Project 2: Vectorizing a Photo	295	(18)
Project 3: Retro Effects	313	(16)
Index	329