What is the difference between a graphic designer and an illustrator?
Adobe Illustrator is best known as a software that can create illustrations, artwork, and sketches, it can be used on both Mac OS and Windows computers. Illustrator was founded in 1987 but has been updated since then to allow users to have the best possible experience. Adobe Illustrator is also part of the creative cloud within Adobe. Illustrator is used by professional graphic designers and illustrators all over the world to create beautiful designs. Within Illustrator there is a wide range of intelligent drawing tools that enable users to create fantastic illustrations and designs.
How can Adobe Illustrator be used?
Adobe Illustrator is used by professionals to create creative work like logos, drawings, cartoons, graphs, charts, and diagrams. In this software, you can upload a photo or image that can be sketched and traced with incredible drawing tools. This effectively can be done to create a sketch-like design or perhaps to recolour a photo. Illustrator is great for creating posters and postcards because it lets you modify text and wording in many ways as well as other visual creations that use both pictures and text together. A well-known feature of Illustrator is its capability in using text around shapes in order to develop artistic logos. You may use Illustrator to create mock-ups of icons as well as websites and applications.
Illustrator and the Creative Cloud.
When purchasing the Adobe Creative Cloud membership, Illustrator will be included in this. Although if you do not need the whole package you are able to purchase this separately. Adobe illustrator designs can be used alongside other Adobe software like Photoshop, InDesign, After Effects, and Premiere Pro. This is great for graphic designers who do not specialise in one thing and need to utilise other software when designing their artwork. For example, users may create an image in Illustrator and then export it to InDesign for a magazine or newspaper. Another example would be to export an image or picture created in Illustrator to After Effects in order to make it into an animation.
Vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator:
An important factor of Adobe Illustrator is that the quality of designs made with this software will never sacrifice quality when being extended or minimised in size. This is because it is a vector-based software. Vector-based software uses mathematical connections within the work produced on Illustrator. On the other hand software such as Adobe Photoshop are dependent on resolution and therefore the quality of pictures and images is sacrificed when a photo is expanded. A picture in Illustrator is made up of a collection of polygons which essentially are made up of vectors.
What is Illustrator CC?
Illustrator CC is the same as Illustrator, although it is the version provided through the membership of Creative Cloud. The very first version of Illustrator CC, specifically named Illustrator v17 and was introduced in 2013. Here at Blue Sky Graphics we offer the version of Adobe Illustrator CC to students during our graphic design courses. One of the greatest benefits of Adobe Creative Cloud is the ability to save and sync your work to the Cloud. Illustrator CC also works with Behance, which is a website where professionals can advertise their portfolios and designs.
As mentioned previously Illustrator CC is constantly being updated to give its users the best possible experience and tools to create beautiful artwork. Recent updates have been the ability to use touchscreen tools and produce and store personal brushes. It also allows users to sync and preserve preferences of colour.
File format that can be saved on Adobe Illustrator.
Adobe Illustrator stores files in vector graphic formats because it produces and modifies vector images. These formats consist of: SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics), VML (Vector Markup Language), PDF (Portable Document Format), WMF (Windows Meta File), and EPS (Encapsulated PostScript).
Let’s go into each format a little:
SVG
The SVG specification has been handled as an open standard by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) since 1999. This format is based on XML and provides two-dimensional graphics for animations and dynamic visuals. SVG images are compressed, indexed, scriptable, and searchable since they are specified in XML files. Any text editor, as well as a range of drawing tools, may be used to edit SVG files. Adobe enables this file format in Illustrator and other applications as a W3C member. Adobe Illustrator supports SVG files.
VML
This was a vector graphics format based on XML that was a component of the Office Open XML standard. It is no longer supported by Internet Explorer as of 2012, but is still included within the Office Open XML standard for legacy purposes and was previously supported by Illustrator.
Adobe Illustrator is able to export files in PDF format, which allows graphics and text to be shown regardless of the hardware, software, or operating system. It includes a comprehensive description of flat documents with a predetermined layout, including fonts, graphics, and text. A structured archiving mechanism in the PDF format combines and compresses these elements into a single file. These include a PostScript subset for creating graphics and a technique for connecting fonts with documents.
WMF
WMF is a file format that Illustrator can export to, which has been used by Windows in the 1990s. This format can hold both vector graphics and bitmaps, making it very versatile and allowing it to be used in the same way as SVG. A list of function calls utilized by the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) to display a picture is stored in WMF files. A WMF may include executable code because certain GDI methods manage failures.
EPS
EPS, or Encapsulated PostScript, is a variation of PostScript that includes limitations for the storage of graphics. EPS files are often self-contained and can also be embedded into other PostScript files. An EPS file is a PostScript program that allows certain programs to display a low-resolution picture preview. Previously in Illustrator’s history, saving files in EPS format was popular since it allowed them to be shared with page layout applications and other programmes of this type.
The evolution of Adobe Illustrator:
- The very first version of Illustrator was introduced in 1987 for the Apple Macintosh. During this time the main focus of Adobe was in designing typefaces and also delivering postscript which is a language that computers were able to use in order to connect to office printers. Illustrator helped in the efforts of typeface creations and also worked as a partner product for Photoshop, which Adobe had bought. Previously users would have had to open a second window in order to see their design work because Illustrator had not yet created a preview mode.
- The second version of Illustrator was introduced in 1989 and this was the first version to employ and support the operating system of Windows. Shortly after this, in the 1990s, Adobe also introduced versions of Illustrator that were for other operating systems such as Sun Solaris, NeXT, and Silicon Graphics. However, these systems failed to become popular and therefore were abandoned. The fourth version of illustrator was the second able to support windows as well as the first to offer modifications whilst in preview mode. Version 5 was introduced in 1993 and allowed Macintosh to use these functions.
- The last Macintosh-focused version of Illustrator was Version 6, which allowed the interface to be modified with more capabilities. Adobe added path editing to Version 7 in 1997, mostly to make the interface more similar to that of Photoshop. This would be performed until the two pathways-related interfaces were almost identical. Another noteworthy feature of Illustrator 7 was the addition of TrueType font support, effectively ending the debate over TrueType vs. PostScript Type I fonts. Version 7 was also the first version of Adobe Illustrator to support plug-ins, which significantly increased Illustrator’s capabilities by allowing third-party developers to add functionality that was not included in the core Illustrator.
- Illustrator has long been known for its ability to export as PDF and SVG formats, as well as its amazing rasterization preview which makes it easier to ensure that the artwork saved in a non-Vector format is encoded correctly without any quality loss. In the year 2000, Adobe released the Adobe SVG Viewer (ASV), which enabled users to view SVG in a variety of browsers. And although Illustrator had native SVG support for all major browsers by 2011, Adobe discontinued ASV in 2009, rendering the standalone viewer outdated and outdated content inaccessible.
- The debut of Illustrator CS in 2003 was heralded as the release of version 11. InDesign and Photoshop were two other graphic design programmes included in the Adobe Creative Suite (CS). This version was also the first to allow for the creation of three-dimensional objects. Illustrator CS2 was released in 2005. Illustrator CS2 added additional features such as a customized workspace and control palette. Aldus, which included the competitive drawing program FreeHand, was purchased by Adobe. In 2007, Adobe stopped supporting FreeHand and began developing tools to help users migrate to Illustrator. In 2007, Illustrator CS3 was released, with additional features such as live colour, various crop zones, and a colour guide panel.
- In 2008, Adobe Illustrator CS4 was released which upgraded current tools and brought in several FreeHand features such as the ability to have multiple artboards open. Every artboard can now save its own copy of a picture, providing users with the option to save and preserve multiple copies of an image in one document. The Illustrator CS5 update includes an updated gradient tool that provides more flexibility when editing colours along a route and also includes more blending options to create a variety of effects. This latest version also includes a new Blob Brush capability that allows the user to quickly and seamlessly mix overlapping brushstrokes.
- The Bristle Brush was featured in Illustrator CS5, which was released in 2010, and produces more natural-looking strokes. Freehand’s Perspective Grid, as well as other upgrades to existing capabilities, are among the other new features in this edition. Version CS6, which was released in 2012, included a slew of new features. A revamped interface and layer panels were among them. Changes to the color ramp and RGB coding, and a number of bug fixes, all contributed to Illustrator CS6’s improved performance.
- Adobe Illustrator CC was released as part of the Creative Cloud after Illustrator CS6. The most recent version is Adobe Illustrator CC 2022.
How much does Illustrator cost?
You can purchase Adobe CC directly from Adobe. You can buy this as a single product or as part of the Creative Cloud package on a monthly subscription. You may purchase this software for £19.99 each month on a monthly basis or £17.99 each month on an annual basis. If you would like to have access to the Creative Cloud package, this costs £49 each month, and prepaid users can get a 20% discount.
Adobe Illustrator free trial version:
Adobe offers a version of Adobe Illustrator that allows you to try it for free. This gives you access to all the features and abilities that the full version includes. This free trial starts whenever the user downloads and installs the programme and it lasts for one week.
What resources can help you learn Adobe Illustrator?
Resources such as online training, classes, tutorials, and books are the most common ways to learn Illustrator. The main advantage of learning Illustrator through lessons is that tutors offer instant feedback and support whilst in a classroom setting. A large number of students study Illustrator online for varying reasons such as not being close by to an institution or not having time in their busy schedule. Lessons at your own pace and books about Illustrator are useful for anybody who wants to study Illustrator without having to leave their home and prefer to work alone or in a one-to-one environment.
Raster software Vs Vector software:
Raster software is the oldest type of 2D graphics software used in the design industry. Vector graphics are a newer technology in design and they use mathematical equations to define images. Vector graphics have infinitely scalable properties, while raster graphics tend to pixelate when enlarged. Vector graphics are used in many different fields, from 2D digital art to 3D illustration. Raster graphics come in two types: bitmap and vector.
A bitmap is similar to rasterizing, while a vector is a mathematical equation that defines an image without the need for pixels. Raster graphics use pixels-based images and are scalable as long as they’re contained within a certain ratio. Vector graphics, on the other hand, are made up of anchor points that cannot be scaled beyond the size of the file and can therefore produce resolution-independent images. A .PSD is a blend of vector and raster graphics – it’s vector-based but includes rasterized content.
The two most fundamental types of computer graphics are vector graphics and raster graphics. Knowing the difference between the two will help you create, alter, and import designs more efficiently.
What are vectors exactly?
Vector graphics are made up of lines and curves that are mathematically defined by a mathematical object known as a “vector”. These graphics are created using programmes like Adobe Illustrator. The geometric qualities that are found in any given image are defined by the vector lines that form it. For instance, a bicycle tire is created through a mathematical equation for a circle with a specific radius, which is then placed in an exact location, and filled with a particular colour. You can move, resize, or change the colour of the tyre without sacrificing visual quality because the underlying mathematics adjust to your motions.
A vector-based design can be resized to any size, printed at any resolution, on just about every output device, but without sacrificing detail or clarity. As a result, you should use vector graphics when designing your text and visuals because they will deliver the best results with small type and bold visuals that maintain sharp lines when scaled.
Tools and functions of Illustrator:
The menu and toolbox structures in Illustrator are very similar to those of Photoshop and PageMaker. If you’ve used these programmes before, then the learning curve in Illustrator should be a breeze. Considering the user interface of Adobe products may be a little intimidating, new users may find it difficult to get used to.
Illustrator’s user interface may be broken down into individual sections to help you better understand what it contains. Beginning on the left side of the screen, you can find the primary toolbox and continue making your way around the workspace from there.
The tools:
The major toolbox is located on the left side of the screen by default and contains many of the tools that you’ll need. Illustrator includes 53 different tools, but not all of them are visible at a glance. Tools with a small triangle in the bottom right-hand corner of their icon have additional, related tools available. To access these linked tools, click and hold on to a tool’s icon. Bear in mind that the real position of these tools fluctuates from Adobe Illustrator version to version, but they never go away.
Extending tool menus:
The Selection Toolset is the first one we’ll take a look at. These tools allow you to change only the parts of an artboard that need changing, rather than the entire artboard, and are perfect for when you’re drawing something with lots of detail, or zooming in on a particular part of an image.
To select entire artboard elements, utilize the primary Selection tool (the “black arrow” tool). To make these items, one of the Draw tools is usually employed. After you’ve chosen an item, you can change its properties by pressing the “Edit” button to display a pop-up dialog. The object is usually enclosed by a rectangle known as a “bounding box” when this tool is used to select an item from the file list.
And then there’s the “select” tool (the one with the white arrow) which is used for selecting individuals or groups of individuals. Illustrator objects are constructed using “anchor points” which are essentially the foundation for building any shape – be it a circle, a star, or anything in between. These anchor points are similar to dots on a plane that create a line, with the exception that they also help define how the line bends. To adjust the geometry of your object, use the Direct Selection tool to change one or more of those anchors
The next two Selection tools are much like their arrow counterparts but they offer a unique shape selection capability that can be used to create more random shapes.
The tool with a pen
Don’t let the name fool you. The Pen tool is not only the first tool in this set of tools but also one of the most often used. The Pen tool is not a typical drawing pen; it creates lines that are slightly curved in their appearance. The pen is used to make selections, draw vector shapes and add vector points along straight paths. A straight line is created by using the Pen tool to mark two points on the artboard, but you can also modify the anchor points to create a curve. Using the extended Pen tools, you can add and delete anchor points for an item. The “caret arrow” is used to convert a corner point to a curve or the other way around.
The Tool for making shapes:
When you use these tools, clicking and dragging create the suggested forms instantly, but you can always click once to bring up a menu of options that will help you create an item that is tailored to your taste. To get started, click on the pencil icon in the Toolbox window. This will bring up a menu that includes such options as to shape, texture, fill, colour and size. You can use these tools to edit or create your item.
To learn more about Adobe Illustrator and how to best use it to create beautiful designs and projects, join the graphic design course at Blue Sky Graphics today!
