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Lesson 1 : Opacity Masks
You have alpha channels in Photoshop, so why can’t
you have them in Illustrator? This lesson explores opacity masks and demonstrates
how they are similar to alpha channels, allowing you to achieve Photoshop-like
results right in Illustrator.
Lesson 2 : Compound Shapes
Using compound paths and pathfinder commands to build
vector files can be tedious. Learn to use Illustrator’s Compound Shapes
features for building complex vector art out of simple shapes.
Lesson 3 : Advanced Drawing
Master the art of using Illustrator’s Pen tools to draw freeform vector
paths. Learn about anchor points, control handles, Bézier curves and
more.
Lesson 4 : Envelope Distortion
Learn to twist and manipulate any kind art into customized
freeform shapes using Illustrator’s envelope features. Learn how to
use mesh points to distort art not only from its edges, but from its center
as well.
Lesson 5 : Creating Graphs
Make your data points clear by creating informational
graphics and charts using any of Illustrator’s nine types of graphs.
Learn to import data from Microsoft Excel and to create customized graph
designs.
Lesson 6 : 3D Graphs
Learn how to take normal graphs and charts and make them
seem to pop off the page with Illustrator’s 3D effects. This lesson describes how you can
create exploded pie charts and still make changes to your graph’s data.
Lesson 7 : Symbolism Tools
Building on Illustrator’s support for Symbols, this lesson demonstrates
the power of the Symbolism tools – a collection of tools used to
manipulate multiple instances of symbols to create illustrations with an
organic feel.
Lesson 8 : Blends
There are many different uses for blends in Illustrator. This lesson reveals
how blends work and goes through the different settings while also describing
how to put blends on custom-drawn paths.
Lesson 9 : Gradient Mesh
Uncover the mystery behind the powerful gradient mesh feature in Illustrator.
This lesson demonstrates how meshes work, and how you can use them to apply
soft and painterly effects to vectors in Illustrator.
Lesson 10 : Advanced 3D
If you thought 3D was cool before, wait until you see what else you can do
with these spectacular features. Learn how to control lighting and surface
settings and how to map two dimensional artwork onto the surfaces of 3D objects.
Lesson 11 : Advanced Live Effects
Learn to combine multiple live effects on single objects to achieve fantastic
results. Uncover the hidden uses for the Scribble effect to give vector objects
a natural, hand-drawn feel.
Lesson 12 : Text on a Path
If you’re the creative type, you’ll appreciate the ability to place
text on any custom-drawn path. Learn how to use baseline shift to position
your text perfectly, and how to use Illustrator’s new skew text option.
Lesson 13 : Advanced Text
Learn about Illustrator’s powerful new text engine
which includes support for OpenType, Paragraph and Character Style sheets, Optical
kerning, hanging punctuation, Optical Margin Alignment and the Every-line composer.
Lesson 14 : Exporting Files
Every workflow demands different file formats. This lesson explores the plethora
of export options from Illustrator including legacy formats, Photoshop, TIFF,
JPEG, PNG, and SWF, among others.
Lesson 15 : Illustrator to Photoshop
Rather than choose to use Illustrator or Photoshop for a task, learn to use
both applications together. This lesson demonstrates how to move layers,
editable text, slices and vector objects from Illustrator into Photoshop.
Lesson 16 : Photoshop to Illustrator
Stop placing flat Photoshop files into your Illustrator documents and learn
to preserve editable text, vectors, slices, masks, and even layers when placing
.PSD files into Illustrator.
Lesson 17 : Transparency & Printing
Learn how the transparency features in Illustrator really work and how to successfully
create files that will print correctly. This lesson also covers which file
formats are best for files with transparency and what Transparency Flattener
presets are.
Lesson 18 : Designing for the Web
Turn your vectors into pixels with confidence by using Illustrator’s
Pixel Preview feature. Set up grids and get a true understanding of what antialiasing
is and how it affects your Web graphics. The lesson also covers Illustrator’s
Web-safe color library.
Lesson 19 : Variable Data
If you have to create multiple versions of similar graphics, this lesson is
for you. Learn to turn objects, text and graphs into variables that can be
automatically swapped out and replaced using scripts.
Lesson 20 : Save for Web
How do you know when to choose between GIF, JPEG, or PNG graphics formats when
saving images for the Web? Learn to use the Save for Web feature to preview
Web graphics and also export files in the vector-based SWF or SVG format.
Lesson 21 : Flash and SVG
Vectors are becoming more common on the Web these days and the most popular
formats are Flash (SWF) and SVG. Get an in-depth understanding of these formats,
how they are used, and how they are exported from Illustrator.
Lesson 22 : Flash Animation
Learn to make your art move on the Web by exporting your
files from Illustrator as animated Flash (SWF) files. Use Illustrator’s
Release to Layers command to easily convert blends to cool animations.
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