1 - Introduction (Running Time - 3:13)
Jon introduces the Introduction to Illustrator CS3 series. You will learn how the course is structured and see some specific examples of techniques from the work files.

  2 - Vector vs. Bitmap (Running Time - 5:49)
This video is designed to clarify the differences between Vector and Bitmap graphics, including the advantages and disadvantages. After watching this video, the viewer should have a basic understanding of why and when to use Illustrator rather than Photoshop and visa-versa.

  3 - New Document (Running Time - 7:26)
Making a new document is very simple, however there are a few things to take into consideration. If you have never used Illustrator before this video will get you up and running on the right foot.

  4 - User Interface (Running Time - 17:24)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of using Adobe Illustrator CS3 to make artwork, we will take a short tour of the interface. If you are new to Illustrator or if you have recently upgraded, knowing your way around the tools, menus and panels will make life a lot easier.

  5 - Customizing Workspace (Running Time - 7:36)
With the introduction of CS3 we have a radically new way to arrange our panels, which used to be referred to as palettes. You will learn how to rearrange your work space and how to save different configurations for different types of work.

Getting Started

 

  6 - Making selections and working with groups (Running Time - 18:50)
Knowing how to select objects, a group of objects and parts of objects is fundamental to utilizing Illustrator's full potential and avoiding frustrations. Learn everything you need to know about selecting parts of objects, objects and working with groups. this option.

  7 - Working with basic shapes (Running Time - 8:17)
We will look at using the basic shape tools such as the Rectangle Tool, Ellipse Tool and Polygon Tool to create simple illustrations. This is great way to start using Illustrator and illustrates a key difference between vector graphics and traditional methods of drawing.

  8 - Transforming objects (part 1) (Running Time - 12:47)
In this first video on transforming, we will look at the various tools and then concentrate on rotating and scaling. This video also introduces the concept of transforming from a particular point of origin, with the Scale Tool we scale an object to a vanishing point creating an illusion of perspective. With the Rotate Tool we learn to rotate objects around a center point.

  9 - Transforming objects (part2) (Running Time - 15:00)
This video continues from where the previous video left off and focuses on reflecting objects using the Reflect Tool and also looks at the use of the Warp Tool.

  10 - Stacking Order (Running Time - 13:00)
Understanding how objects sit one on top of another and how to move things around within the stacking order is an important aspect of getting to understand the particular logic behind Illustrator.

Color

 

  11 - Basic Color (Running Time - 17:25)
In this video we will take a look at the basics of working with color. We will go over the Color Panel, the Swatches Panel and the Color Picker. The video begins by breaking down some of the terminology and then gets in to the practicalities of choosing and applying color, as well as changing the color mode.

  12 - Live Color (Running Time - 6:36)
Live Color is an extensive addition to CS3 that vastly extends the ways in which we can work with and understand color. We look at the Live Color dialog box and the new Color Guide Panel. We also go over taking artwork and making global and local color changes in a snap using the Live Color edit feature.

  13 - Pattern Swatches (Running Time - 10:18)
Illustrator allows you to create repeat patterns that you can store and apply as you would apply a color to an object. Here you'll see how easy it is to make a repeat pattern. You will also see how many pattern swatch libraries there are to choose from.

  14 - Gradients (Running Time - 10:42)
Another way to apply color in Illustrator is through transitions of tone and color using gradients. Although gradients can easily be over done and ruin a perfectly good piece of art or design, if used with care they can be a very useful tool in your arsenal of skills.

Pathfinder

 

  15 - Pathfinder (part 1) (Running Time - 11:14)
The Pathfinder Panel allows you to add shapes, subtract from shapes and divide shapes. Understanding this powerful set of tools can radically alter the way that you work. We will go over a couple of step-by-step exercises.

  16 - Pathfinder (part 2) (Running Time - 12:58)
In Pathfinder part 2, we go through each of the pathfinder effects in a little more detail. By the end of these two Pathfinder videos, you should have a clear understanding of how to use this panel. Not only will you be able to do more, you'll be able to do more faster and with more elegance and precision.

Guides & Grid

 

  17 - Guides (Running Time - 6:53)
Guides allow you to position objects and elements, in alignment, on a page with accuracy. For almost any type of page layout project, the use of guides is an essential part of the working process.

  18 - Grid (Running Time - 5:55)
The grid in Illustrator, like guides, is a tool for aiding in accuracy. Here we look at setting the preferences, and we go over a couple of uses for the grid; laying out a web page and designing letterforms.

  19 - Smart Guides (Running Time - 6:08)
Smart Guides can quite seriously be a life-saver as with the two previous videos Smart Guides help you create artwork with absolute precision. You can easily have one object sit exactly next to another or align to another object on the other side of the page.

Drawing

 

  20 - Pen Tool (Running Time - 9:53)
Many people struggle with the Pen Tool initially. By going over this video and plenty of practice, you will grasp this essential skill. If you get to grips with this Tool you will be able to draw paths precisely.

  21 - Pencil Tool (Running Time - 9:59)
The Pencil Tool is a very intuitive tool because it works freehand like drawing with a regular pen or pencil. This tool is great for creating free flowing lines. We will also look at the tools options that allow you to redraw paths and adjust the smoothness and fidelity of the line.

  22 - Brushes (Running Time - 15:20)
In this video, we'll not only take a look at the Paint Brush Tool but we will also explore the Brushes Panel and the types of brushes that you can make and use. Finally we'll have a peek at some of the many brush libraries that are available in Illustrator.

  23 - Knife, Scissors and Eraser Tools (Running Time - 13:50)
These three tools work in very different ways but they are all related in so far as being subtractive in nature. Subtractive processes in drawing painting and sculpture are an important part of the creative process and this is no less true in the digital realm.

Layers

 

  24 - Layers (concept) (Running Time - 10:15)
We have already touched upon layers as we've moved through this series. However, in this video we start really getting to grips with the details. You will learn the different nature of layers in Illustrator to layers in Photoshop. We will also go over the Layers Panel and how to start maneuvering your way around in this area of the program.

  25 - Layers (part 2) (Running Time - 15:56)
This second video simply goes over in more detail aspects of working within the Layers Panel. We look at moving layers around in the stacking order and moving objects from one layer to another.

  26 - Tracing exercise that uses pen and Pencil (Running Time - 23:34)
This is a detailed exercise that covers some things that we have looked at up until this point in the series including drawing and working with layers. We will also learn how to place a photographic image as a template layer.

Type

 

  27 - Type Intro (Running Time - 11:37)
In this first video that deals with type, we will concentrate on the different type tools. We will go over a series of exercises deigned to give to a good solid understanding of the basics for working with type in Illustrator.

  28 - Formatting Text (Running Time - 19:51)
Here we will primarily be looking at the Character Panel and the Paragraph Panel. You will learn how to kern your type, adjust the leading and the tracking as well as choose fonts so that you can really control the look you your type. Once you understand the basics of formatting you can start to design with type rather than simply put it on a page.

  29 - Type on a Path (Running Time - 7:48)
This video covers two exercises that relate to this cool typographic feature in Illustrator. We'll make type follow a curving line and then we'll set up type to go around a circle.

  30 - Type Envelope Distort (Running Time - 12:59)
Although envelope distort is not a typographic feature I often use it in conjunction with type. Here we will take type and bend it, twist it, inflate it and butcher it, all in the name of art. This is great fun and has applications far beyond create type effects.

  31 - Type Create Outlines (Running Time 3:53)
Creating Outlines on type is a unique feature that makes Illustrator a must for logo design. You will learn how easy it is to manipulate the shapes of letters by using this feature.

  32 - Making Text Boxes (Running Time - 12:25)
Text boxes may seem kind of boring but with some imagination and the desire you can be very creative with text on a page. In this video we will concentrate on making text boxes, adjusting their shape, linking to other text boxes and creating columns of text.

Appearances

 

  33 - Appearances Intro (Running Time - 7:10)
This video opens the next set of videos in this series by explaining what appearances are and where in Illustrator you see them as well as how to spot an appearance.

  34 - Appearances (editing) (Running Time - 6:28)
With a good hard look at the Appearance Panel we will learn how to edit appearances. After watching this video you will know how to remove appearances, edit appearances and set New Art Has Basic Appearance.

  35 - Appearances (Graphic Styles) (Running Time - 5:05)
Graphic Styles are a useful way to store a collection of appearances that you may wish to use again. We will take a look at the Graphic Styles Panel and some of the Graphic Styles to be found in the libraries.

  36 - 3D Effects (Running Time - 12:52)
Although Illustrator is not a 3D program it does have some basic 3D effects that if you are able to master can be used to create amazing illustrations. We will go over a couple of exercises that gives you a pretty thorough overview of both extruding and revolving shapes. We will also map a graphic to the surface of a 3D effect.

  37 - Other Effects (Running Time - 8:42)
We will finish up this set of videos on appearances by looking at some of the other effects available in Illustrator.

Bitmaps

 

  38 - Bitmap Images (placing) (Running Time - 9:10)
Placing bitmap images or importing images into Illustrator is something that you may do all the time depending on the type of work you are involved in. I will show you how to place an image into Illustrator and point out some things to consider such as file type, resolution and linking or embedding images.

  39 - Bitmaps (rasterize) (Running Time - 7:45)
In this next video dealing with bitmaps, we'll convert vectors into a bitmap. This process is called rasterizing. You will go through the process of rasterizing a set of objects step-by-step.

  40 - Bitmaps (Live Trace) (Running Time - 7:01)
One truly amazing feature in Illustrator, Live Trace allows you to convert scans of drawings or photos into vector graphics. Here you will convert a hand drawn logo into a vector. Converting the artwork to vectors changes the quality of the artwork somewhat but also makes the artwork editable and scaleable.

Visual Identity

 

  41 - Bitmap (Masking) (Running Time - 9:15)
Masking doesn't have to be done only on bitmaps, but bitmaps are commonly masked because they have to adhere to a rectangle or a square. Learn how to cut an image out using a clipping mask as well as how to create an opacity mask.

  42 - Logo (Part 1) (Running Time - 13:53)
This logo video starts a series of three videos that look at a complete visual identity for a band. These three videos all incorporate skills learned through the series, and puts them into a context of designing real things. Here I recap such things as Create Outlines to edit typographic shapes. I also discuss an approach to designing logos.

  43 - DC_Booklet (Part 2) (Running Time - 16:47)
Using skills you've learned throughout this series, we will build a CD booklet. This incorporates placing images, using layers, masking and much more.

  44 - Webpage (Part 3) (Running Time - 14:44)
We rap up the series with an overview of Illustrator's web tools. You will learn about slicing and how to slice artwork to Save for Web. We will optimize parts of a web layout and save a html page from Illustrator along with a link to another site.

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