Day 1: What is Illustrator?

By Vectordiary Posted on July 14th, 2008

About Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator is a vector drawing program. It is often used to draw illustrations, cartoons, diagrams, charts and logos. Unlike bitmap images that stores information in a grid of dots, Illustrator uses mathematical equations to draw out the shapes. This makes vector graphics scalable without the loss of resolution.

Advantages of Vector Graphics

Scalable without resolution loss
Lines are crisp and sharp at any sizes
Print at high resolution
Smaller file size
Good for drawing illustrations

Disadvantages of vector graphics

Drawings tend to look flat and cartoon
Hard to produce photo realistic drawings

Common Uses for Illustrator

1) Designing Logos

Designing logos
By: Draplin Design

2) Drawing Maps

drawing maps

3) Drawing Illustrations

drawing illustrations

By: Chih Hang

4) Infographics

infographics

5) Photorealistic Drawings

camera
By: Kevin Hulsey

6) Packaging Design

By: sanna annukka

This are just a few examples of what Illustrator can do. If you have experience with Photoshop, you can bring your illustrations into Photoshop and enchance it. That’s how professional does it. During the next few days, I will be covering the basics of Illustrator so that you can produce your first vector art!

Next Lesson: Getting Started in Illustrator »
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Alex Jordan July 15th, 2008

Can help but say “Drawings tend to look flat and cartoon” “Hard to produce photo realistic drawings” are seriously challenged by that realistic camera -
is there a link for Kevin Hulsey?
cheers

Muurtegel July 15th, 2008

I must agree with Alex. With the right use of Gradients and maybe some shaddows and masks, you can make nice 3D looking graphics. There are even 3D options available in illustrator.

iStockdiary July 15th, 2008

Experts can produce super realistic drawings of products using gradients and gradient mesh in illustrator. However, if you were to produce a realistic drawing of mountains and rivers that I would say it would be a challenge. Illustrator is really not good at rendering textures other than smooth surfaces which can be achieved by gradients. And Kevin Hulsey is really one pro in technical illustration. Check out his portfolio. I have included the link.

david July 30th, 2008

eXcelent resourse for beginners congrats!!!

carl August 2nd, 2008

Looking for a quick course, preferably during the evening time that will teach me to draw using illustrator quickly.Pleases give info., price if any and other details.

iStockdiary August 2nd, 2008

Hi Carl, I will recommend you Lynda’s video tutorial. Read my recommended list of tutorials here: http://www.istockdiary.com/reviews/the-best-illustrator-books-videos-for-learning/

rajesh August 8th, 2008

very nice job

Jenelle August 25th, 2008

finally, i will be able to learn how to use the illustrator! bwahahaha!!!

Chris September 5th, 2008

Logos, Illustrations and Product Designs are all areas I want to investigate further with Illustrator.

Jaikumar September 9th, 2008

It is really worth.

Akshaya September 12th, 2008

Its good, but cant say much about b’coz its a first day.

Marcelo September 14th, 2008

I´m a brazilian designer that uses Corel Draw and want to migrate do Adobe Suite. I think the best tool to work is the tool that you reaaly know how to use, so I´m trying to learn as much I can about Illustrator.

Darren September 15th, 2008

Can I use illustrator to create webpages? I am a long time user of Corel Draw and have created looks for websites using Photoshop…I am hoping to migrate completely to Illustrator and not have to boot into vista on my mac.

Dipika September 18th, 2008

Thanks! The first day of an Introduction is nice & helpfull to beginner how,where and when use this software.I admire which you had done for us.This software new for me so Hope I’ll learn Illustrator well through your 30 days.

paresh September 19th, 2008

its good imust with agree….

J September 24th, 2008

I have purchased Adobe Flash CS3 Professional- do i need to have illustrator as well to have this function? Can i not create a project in its entirety in the Flash product i have purchased? Do all pictures need to be imported through illustrator , can I make .ai files in adobe flash?
Thanks for your timely response…. J

Vectordiary September 24th, 2008

Hi J, You can’t make ai files in illustrator. However you can draw some basic vector graphics in Flash.

milee October 1st, 2008

what is illustrator is a vector drawimg program.

ASHOK KUMAR October 9th, 2008

VERY FINE WEBSITE IT IS VERY USEFUL TO INTERMEDIATE AND ABOVE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL KEEP INTRODUCING MORE ILLUSTRATIONS

hendra October 26th, 2008

hi, i want to know if you can also show some website or book that is best for photoshop beginner

BaGsHiK October 29th, 2008

Thanks a lot for this tutorials , bro !
Keep up the good work , i will subscribe to your RSS !

Greetings from Belgium !

BaGsHiK

divya October 31st, 2008

i would like to under go the classes.

ayyaj Patwegar November 7th, 2008

it is very nice softwear

Arteymiel November 18th, 2008

Is possible this tuttorial in spanish ?

vidya November 27th, 2008

very very nice…. i got it… !!! thanks!

aaaalpha December 6th, 2008

illustrators fun too

cool December 6th, 2008

i dont like this program but u will get use to!!!!!!!!

josh December 6th, 2008

pls tell me how i can can my illus’s work in to jpeg…great work….carry on…..

Vectordiary December 6th, 2008

Hi josh, go File>Export and select JPG.

Tom December 16th, 2008

New here - New to illustrator too! just wanted to say thanks for this =]

Gina December 17th, 2008

Salut je voudrais savoir si je ne pourais pas avoir les livres disponible en francais.

Vectordiary

Illustrator tutorials, tips and tricks on vector art by iStockphoto exclusive artist. Enjoy free vector downloads.