Unit 9 : Adobe Illustrator

This unit is about PageMaker 6.5; a page composition software

program that automates all the steps in developing a printed
document. Composition is the process of laying out text and
graphics-typography, lines, boxes, pictures, drawings, and colors
in a page. PageMaker is considered by many industry experts,
and by many users, to be one of the most functional, expert
systems available for the design and composition of documents.

Lesson 1 : Introduction to Adobe Illustrator

Introduction

Most common practices of Adobe Illustrator is drawing,

transforming and managing of Image objects, layers and shapes.
It provides a broad foundation of essential Graphic design skills. It
is the perfect way to learn Graphic design if you are just starting
out with the software, upgrading from a proper version, or if you
have never received formal training-even if you have been using
Illustrator for years. This Unit also describe about various drawing,
transforming and managing of Image objects, layers and shapes
tools those are used to drawing, transforming and managing
Image objects, layers and shapes. This Unit of course covers lets
you create artwork for a variety of uses. Illustrator’s drawing tools
let you take advantage of many ways to control artwork in your
designs.

1.1. Learning Objectives

On completion of this lesson you will be able to describe:

♦ Creating new document using shape tools.

♦ Identify differences between RGB and CMYK Color Modes.
♦ Saving and exporting files using tool box.

1.2 Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is a Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor developed and
vector graphics editor
marketed by Adobe Systems. The latest version, Illustrator CC, is
developed and marketed
by Adobe Systems.
the seventeenth generation in the product line. It provides
sophisticated tracing and text manipulation capabilities as well as
color separations. Illustrator was originally developed for the Mac
in 1987 and, up until Version 7.0, which was introduced in 1997.
Graphics Design

1.3 System requirements

Before starting the Illustrator, make sure that your computer is

equipped for running Adobe Illustrator, which you must purchase
separately. The minimum system requirements for your computer
to effectively use the software are listed on the following page.

1.3.1 System requirements for Adobe Illustrator

Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon 64 processor

Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or Windows 7
with Service Pack 1

1GB of RAM for 32 bit; 2GB of RAM for 64 bit

2GB hard-disk space for installation; additional free space
required during installation

1024 × 768 display (1280 × 800 recommended) with 16-bit
video card Broadband Internet connection required for
software activation and access to online services.

1.4 Starting Adobe Illustrator for Windows

Step 1.Choose Start > All Programs > Adobe Illustrator. If you
have the Creative Suite installed, you may have to select Adobe
Illustrator from within the Creative Suite folder.

Step 2.Close the Welcome Screen when it appears. You are now
ready to use Adobe Illustrator.

1.5 Create new Documents using Shape Tools

Step 1.Choose File > New, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N.
The New Document dialog box appears.

Step 2.Set name, Profile name; and Inches from the Units drop-
down menu, when you change the units to inches. Set Height and
width, spacing and bleed as you need.

Specify the settings of your new Illustrator document.

Step 3.Then Press OK. A new blank document appears.

Step 4.Select the Rectangle tool. Click and drag anywhere on the
art board to determine the placement and size of the rectangle.

168
Adobe Illustrator

Click and drag from the upper-left corner to the lower-right corner.
Step 5.Choose File > Save As to save this file. The Save As
dialog box appears.
Step 6.Type File name to text field; then press Save.
Step 7.Press OK when Illustrator Options dialog box appears.

1.6 Document Color Modes

You can change your preferred color mode in Adobe Illustrator.
This allows you to create for print or web with the best color
model. Every time you create a new file, you choose a profile. This
profile determines, among other things, in which color mode to
create your document. Typically, anything related to Web, mobile,
or video is in RGB mode, and the print profile is in CMYK. You can
also simply choose Basic CMYK or Basic RGB.

1.6.1 RGB Color Mode

RGB is the color scheme that is associated with electronic
displays, such as CRT, LCD monitors, digital cameras and
scanners. It is an additive type of color mode that combines the
primary colors, red, green and blue, in various degrees to create a
variety of different colors. When all three of the colors are
combined and displayed to their full extent, the result is a pure
white. When all three colors are combined to the lowest degree, or
value, the result is black.

1.6.2 CMYK Color Mode

Printers print color onto paper using the CMYK color mode only.
This is a four color mode that utilizes the colors cyan, magenta,
yellow and black in various amounts to create all of the necessary
colors when printing images. It is a subtractive process, which
means that each additional unique color means more light is
removed, or absorbed, to create colors. When the first three colors
are added together, the result is not pure black, but rather a very
dark brown.

1.6.3 Differences between RGB and CMYK Color Modes

When a user generates graphics on a computer for printing, or
wishes to print images from a digital camera, it is a common
mistake to assume that the colors seen on the screen will look the
same in print. As a result of this mistake, files for printing are often
erroneously sent in the Red-Green-Blue (RGB) format for printing.
The issue lies in the fact that the computer screen and many

169
Graphics Design

photo editing programs show colors in RGB mode, while images

are printed on paper in Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black (CMYK)
format. Sometimes the conversion from RGB to CMYK works
without any problems arising, and a printout will look identical to
what shows up on the computer. In other cases, there will be
noticeable differences between the shades of color. The key to
avoiding this potential problem is to convert all graphics to CMYK
format during the layout design phase.

1.7 Color Management

Managing color has been a very time consuming and costly
process in the printing, prepress, and film industries. The video
industry has started to notice the need for color management as
well. This has led to several years of intense discussions on color
management solutions. In response to these discussions, the
International Color Consortium (ICC) created a standard which
attempts to serve as a cross-platform device profile format to be
used to characterize color devices. After a discussion of current
practices in industry, this standard is described along with a
discussion of the major limitations of color management today.

1.8 Color Space Conversion

The color space conversions are fundamental to color
management. There is two questions. First, what is the best color
displayable on the output device to use to represent the color from
the input device? This is not always a straightforward decision if
the input device can display colors that the output device cannot.
Second, what are the calculations required to map colors from the
input space to the output space.
1.9 Art Boards
The art board represents the printable page containing your
artwork. It’s bounded by solid lines and can be enlarged or
reduced to accommodate larger or smaller artwork. The default art
board size is 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall or almost 19 feet by
19 feet.

1.9.1 Creating New Art Boards

Step 1. Press the New Art board button. Art board dialog box
appear. Select New Art board.

170
Adobe Illustrator

Step 2. If you delete Art boards, then click Delete Art boards. The
new art board is deleted, but the artwork is still positioned in the
scratch area of the document.

Step 3. Choose File >Convert to return to the last saved version of

this file. When asked if you want to convert to the saved version of
the document, click Convert.

1.10 Saving Files

There are several ways to save files.

 The Save command saves the file with its current name,
location, and file format.

 The Save As command lets you save an alternate version

of the file with a different name, location, or file format.
 The Save a Copy command saves an identical copy of the
file, with the word copy added to the file name
 When saving a file created in Adobe Illustrator the format
chosen has real consequences. If you need a file format
not listed in the regular Save As dialog box, choose File
Export to see additional choices.

1.11 Exporting Files

Exporting files means transporting files. You can export your files
to one of the formats listed below but using the native ensures that
the file will be editable; it also ensures that any transparency is
retained, even if you use the file in another Creative Suite
application. To use an Adobe Illustrator file in another application,
you often need to export it in a format that another application
recognizes as a valid.

171
Graphics Design

ACTIVITY
1.12 State whether the following statements are true or false.
1. 2GB of RAM for 64 bit is required for windows.
2. Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+N (Windows) to open New
Document dialog box.
3. Creative Suite, is the best way to save a file as a native
Illustrator a file.
4. 1024 × 768 display with 16-bit video card.
1.13 Multiple Choice questions

a. How many are the standards defined of color management in

printing Industry?

i) 2
ii) 4
iii) 6
iv) 8

b. Which is the selecting option used to create a custom art board.

i) Brush tool
ii) Lasso tool
iii) Art board tool
iv) Magic wand tool

c. Which is the default art board?

i) 8.5 x 11
ii) 8.5 x 12
iii) 9.5 x 11
iv) 9.5 x 12

1.14 Analytical questions.

1. What do you mean by Illustrator and Art board?
2. What do you mean by system requirements?
3. Describe about saving and exporting files.
4. Discuss about color management in various industry.

172
Adobe Illustrator

Lesson 2 : Basic Tools

2.1. Learning Objectives

On completion of this lesson you will be able to describe:

♦ Identifying various tool boxes.

♦ Customizing keyboard shortcut and workspace.
♦ Setting preference and Navigating documents.

2.1 Tools Box

A box which is containing shortcut tools to using easy drawing,

editing, painting and coloring images.

2.1.1 Using Tools Box

The Illustrator has several tools. To select it, mouse button down
on a tool, then drag mouse over to the tool, and release the
mouse button. You can also "tear off" parts of the tool bar so they
become stand alone palettes with all the tools in that set visible.
First select the object, and then perform the manipulation or
transformation you wish. If you want to manipulate the entire
object, and not just part of it, make sure all the points on the object
are solid.

2.1.2 Selection tool Box

The tool box those are used to selecting various levels, shapes
and layers etc are called selecting tool box.

Illustrator provides the following selection tools

The Direct Selection tool (A)

The Selection tool (V) selects selects points or path
entire objects. segments within objects.

The Group Selection tool The Magic Wand tool (Y)

selects objects and groups selects objects with similar
within groups. attributes.

173
Graphics Design

2.1.3 Drawing tool Box

The tool box those are used to drawing various levels, shapes and
layers etc are called drawing tool box.

Illustrator provides the following drawing tools

The Pen tool (P) draws The Add Anchor Point tool (+)
straight and curved lines to adds anchor points to paths.
create objects.

The Convert Anchor Point tool

The Delete Anchor Point tool
(Shift + C) changes smooth
(-) deletes anchor points from
points to corner points and
paths.
vice versa.

2.2 Using Tools panels

Various types of tools panels are used in adobe Illustrator. They
are describing bellow

2.2.1 Align panel

The buttons distribute objects along their centers or along their
top, left, right, or bottom edges. Objects can be aligned to a
selection, an art board, or a key object. Buttons in the lower part of
the panel redistribute the spacing among three or more objects.
This panel can also be used to align anchor points. Align buttons
also appear on the Control panel when two or more objects are
selected.

2.2.2 Appearance panel

The Appearance panel lists the specific appearance attributes and
settings for whichever layer, group, or object is currently targeted
on the Layers panel. You can use the panel to add extra fill or

174
Adobe Illustrator

stroke attributes, edit or remove attributes, apply and edit effects,

and edit individual attributes within an applied graphic style.

2.2.3 Art boards panel

In addition to listing all the art boards in the current document, the
Art boards panel lets you display, create, rename, and duplicate
art boards; change their order; rearrange them in the document;
choose options for them; change their orientation; and delete
them. The Art board Options dialog opens when you double-click
the art board orientation icon, which is located to the right of the
art board name.

2.2.4 Attributes panel

The Attributes panel lets you choose overprint options for an
object, show or hide an object’s center point, switch the fill
between color and transparency in a compound path, or change
an object’s fill rule.
You can also use this panel to create a hotspot for Web output.
Assign an image map shape and a URL to a selected object, and
then to verify the URL in the Web browser that is currently
installed on your system, click the Browser button.

2.2.5 Color panel

Colors are applied to an object’s fill or stroke. Use the Color panel
to mix a global process color. Choose a color model for the panel,
such as RGB or CMYK, from the panel menu. Quick-select a color
by clicking in the spectrum bar at the bottom of the panel, or click
the black, white, or none button. You can expand the bar by
dragging the gripper bar. To open a temporary Color panel, Shift-
click the Fill or Stroke square or arrowhead on the Control panel
or the Appearance panel.

175
Graphics Design

2.3 Customizing workspaces

Once you’ve configured, moved, and manipulated Illustrator’s
panels to your liking, you can save customizing workspaces and
switch among them.
2.3.1 Customizing workspaces by saving

Step 1. To open desired workspace.

Step 2. Clicking on the double arrow in the upper-right corner of
the dock.
Step 3. To save this customized workspace, choose Window >
Workspace > New Workspace.
Step 4. In Workspace dialog box, type Color Workspace in the
text field, and press OK.
Step 5. Choose Window > Workspace, notice that your named
workspace is now at the top of the list.

Choose Window > Workspace to save a customized workspace.

Step 6. To restore it, choose Window > Workspace to display both
the preset workspaces and the custom workspace you just saved.
Step 7. To restore custom workspace, choose Window >
Workspace, Color Workspace appears. Choose the Color
Workspace to return to that workspace. All panels return to the
customized appearance you chose to save.

2.4 keyboard shortcuts

A keyboard shortcut is a combination of keys that, when pressed
simultaneously, perform some task that
Ordinarily could take longer to do if you use a mouse or other
input device. In Illustrator, keyboard shortcuts are provided for
many tools and commands to save you the trouble of searching
for these options in its menus and panels. You can view a list of all
the shortcuts, and create or edit your own, using the Keyboard
Shortcuts dialog box.

176
Adobe Illustrator

2.4.1 Customized keyboard shortcuts

Step 1. To add a custom shortcut, choose Edit > Keyboard
Shortcuts.
Step 2. In Shortcuts dialog box, choose the Menu Commands
shortcut type from the drop-down menu.
Step 3. Scroll down the menu list to the Place command, by
default, doesn’t have a keyboard shortcut.
Step 4. Click the Shortcut column next to the Place command,
and press Ctrl+E to enter that shortcut.
Step 5. Click the Symbol column next to the Place command, and
type E, if there’s not already one there. If you enter a shortcut
that’s already assigned to another command or tool, you’ll get a
warning about this at the bottom of the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog
box.

Change the keyboard shortcut for the Place command.

Step 6. To edit an existing shortcut, click on the shortcut you want

to change in the Shortcut column of the list, and type a new
shortcut.
Step 7. If that shortcut has already been assigned, follow the
directions above to Undo or Go To the other command.

2.5 Preferences
Preferences are options regarding how you want Illustrator to
work, including those for display, tools, ruler units, and exporting
information. Your preferences are saved in a file called AIPrefs
(Windows) or Adobe Illustrator Preference, which is launched
each time you start Illustrator.

2.5.1 Open a preferences dialog box

1. Do one of the following
o Choose Edit > Preferences >[preference set name].
o Choose Illustrator > Preferences >[preference set
name].
o With nothing selected, click the Preferences button on
the Control panel.
2. To switch to a different preference set, do one of the following:
o Select an option from the menu at the upper-left of the
Preferences dialog box.
o Click Next to display the next options, or click Prev. to
display the previous options.

177
Graphics Design

2.5.2 Setting Illustrator preferences

The Illustrator preferences file manages the commands and panel
settings in Illustrator. When you open Illustrator, the positioning of
panels and commands are stored in the Illustrator preferences file.
If you want to restore the default settings for Illustrator or change
the current settings, delete the Illustrator preferences. Illustrator
automatically creates a preference file, when you restart Illustrator
and save a file.
Depending on the operating system that you are using, the
Illustrator preferences file is available at the following location

Windows XP
<startup drive>\ Documents and Settings\<username>\Application
1Data\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS5 Settings\en_US*\AIPrefs

Windows Vista or Windows 7

<startup drive>\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe
1Illustrator CS5 Settings\en_US*\AIPrefs.

2.6 Navigating Documents Using Navigator Panel

Step 1. Choose Window > Navigator to open the Navigator panel.
Step 2. Press Zoom In button or drag the slider to the right to
enlarge the view or type 150 into the view text box. The current
view of your artwork increases to 150 percent.

Navigator panel.

Step 3. Red box is visible and displayed inside your document

window. This red box shrinks as you increase the magnification of
your artwork, and can also be used to scroll around your
illustration.

Using the Navigator panel simplifies the process of zooming and

scrolling in your artwork.

178
 Adobe Illustrator

Step 4. In Navigator panel, drag the slider to the left to reduce the
view percentage of your artwork
Step 5. When cursor over the red box, the cursor changes to a
hand, drag the red box to scroll to the upper-right corner of the art
board.
Step 6. Control the zoom by holding down the Ctrl key and then
dragging over an area that you want to zoom into in the Navigator
panel.
Step 7. Type 100 into the View Depth text field in the Navigator
panel and press Enter to return to actual size.

The PageMaker window is the working space for creating and

producing documents. Let's take a brief look at all of the
components in the window, since they are similar in both the Mac
and PC environments.

2.3. Title Bar

Across the top of the screen is the PageMaker application's title

Across the top of the bar. When the size of the window is less than the maximum size,
screen is the PageMaker
you can move the entire window by clicking on the title bar and
application's title bar.
dragging the mouse to a new position.

2.4. Close box

The box at the upper-left side of the document's title bar on the
Mac is called the Close box. In Windows 95, a similar box is
located at the far right of the document's title bar, with an X in it.
Click the Close box once to close the active window.

2.5. Size box

The Size box in the Lower right-hand corner lets you resize the
height and width of the active window. Click in the Size box and
drag it diagonally to create the size window you want. PC users
can also resize a window by dragging the right, left, top, or bottom
margins of a window.

2.6. Zoom box

The Zoom box, in the The Zoom box, in the upper right-hand corner of the Mac window
upper right-hand corner increases the window to maximum size. Clicking the Zoom box
of the Mac window again reduces the window back to the size it was. Under Widows
increases the window to 95, this control is to the left of the Close box, and will be
maximum size. represented by a miniature box with title bar (maximized) or a pair
of small overlapping boxes (less than maximized.)

179
 Graphics Design

2.7. Pull-down Menus

The main pull down menus controls all PageMaker functions. Click
on a menu title in the menu bar to pull down the menu. Pull down
menus contain five types of commands:

♦ Commands with ellipsis (...)

♦ Commands with arrows
Pull-down Menus
♦ Commands with check marks
♦ Commands that are dimmed
♦ Commands with keyboard shortcuts

2.8. Commands with Ellipsis (...)

Clicking a command with an ellipsis (such as Save As...) displays

a dialog box. Command dialog boxes require you to enter more
information, or they present you with more choices.

2.9. Commands with Arrows

A right-pointing arrow means there is a second-level menu (called

a submenu) to follow. For example, clicking Font displays a font
submenu showing all the currently installed fonts in your system.

2.10. Commands with Check Marks

A check mark beside a command means the command is toggled

on (turned on). Clicking a command with a check mark removes
the mark and toggles the command off. The check mark beside
the Guides command means that guides are displayed. Click the
Guides command again to remove the check mark and hide the
guidelines.

2.11. Commands that are Dimmed

A dimmed command is not currently available. Often you must

select or highlight some text before dimmed commands will
darken and 6ecome available.

2.12. Commands with Keyboard Shortcuts

Sometimes a keyboard
equivalent is displayed by Sometimes a keyboard equivalent is displayed by the right of the
the right of the command. command. Pressing the keys gives you the same result as
selecting the command indicated from the menu.

180
Adobe Illustrator

ACTIVITY

2.13 CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

Write the common steps and select common options to navigate

the document using navigator panel.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.14 State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. The Selection tool (V) selects parts of objects.

2. Nine types of tools panels are used in adobe Illustrator.
3. When you delete the current size and position of panels, it is act
as a custom workspace.
4. The Add Anchor Point tool (+) adds anchor points to paths.

2.15 Multiple Choice questions

a. Which is the tool used to navigate the documents?

i) Preset Tool
ii) Navigator Tool
iii) Compare Tool
iv) Search Tool.

b. To add a custom shortcut we choose the ----- keyboard

shortcut.

i) Move
ii) Copy
iii) Edit
iv) Cut.

c. Which the sign is used to add anchor point?

i) (+)
ii) (*)
iii) (-)
iv) (/).

181
Graphics Design

2.16 Analytical questions.

1. What do you mean by Illustrator tool box?

2. What do you mean by customizing workspace? How can we
save it by meaning dialog box?
3. What do you mean by keyboard shortcut?
4. Discuss about process to navigate document and color
management.

182
Adobe Illustrator

Lesson 3 : Drawing Objects

3.1. Learning Objectives

On completion of this lesson you will be able to describe:

♦ Drawing various vectors shapes.

♦ Tracing placed images.
♦ Using rulers, guides and grids.

3.2. Introduction

3.1 Vector Shapes

A vector shape is a computer shape that uses a Wire Frame or
Outlines to define a shapes area of Images. This is made up of
mathematical descriptions of paths and fills to define the graphic.
A vector shape is drawn in shapes and lines called paths. There
are various types of Vector shapes Vector shapes is the use of
geometrical primitives such as points, lines, curves, and shapes
or polygon(s), which are all based on mathematical expressions,
to represent images in computer graphics.

3.1.1 Using Vector Shapes

Vector shapes are commonly used in

 Clip Art is usually made of Vector type images.

 Fonts are sets of electronic letters and each letter has a
shape. These Fonts are normally vector images.
 Flash stores images as vector shapes. So when you draw
or paint shapes in Flash they are made up of vectors.
 Logos are usually made of Vector files can be enlarged to
any size without loss of image quality.
 3D Rendering programs use Wire Frame or Vector type of
images. To create Vector images you would use programs
like Adobe Freehand, Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw.
Most 3D programs would use Vectors.

3.2 Drawing Rectangles Shapes

Drawing a Rectangle to follow the steps

Step 1. Select the Rectangle tool in the toolbox (or press M on

the keyboard)

183
Graphics Design

Step 2. Click and drag the mouse on the art board.

Step 3. Press Shift + Alt to draw a square with the initial point as
the centre of the square. Enter a width and height in the dialog
box, and click OK to generate a precisely sized rectangle.

3.2.1 Drawing Rounded Rectangles Shapes

Step 1. Click Rectangle tool to select the hidden Rounded

Rectangle tool.

Step 2. Press down arrow key repeatedly to reduce the size of the
rounded corner. Press many times to see the difference. Shortcut
will not work if you release the mouse.

Step 3. An exact height and width are not important for this shape.
When mouse was released then the measurement reached
approximately 2.5 inches in width and 1.75 inches in height.

Press the down arrow while dragging the rounded rectangle shape
to reduce the corner values.

Step 4. Select the Rectangle tool, click and drag from the center
point down to the lower-right of the small rounded rectangle.

Step 5. Select the Selection tool and Shift+click to select the

smaller rounded corner shape
Step 6. Select the Shape Builder too land then click and drag from
the rounded rectangle. The shapes are now combined into one
shape.

184
Adobe Illustrator

Combine the newly created shapes.

Step 7. Choose File > Save to save this file.

3.3 Drawing Square by Rectangle Tool (M)

• Click and drag to draw a square or rectangle originating
from a corner.

• Click once to open the dialog box and see what the
settings are for what you've just drawn.
• Option lets you draw your square or rectangle originating
from the center.
• Shift lets you draw only equilateral squares originating
from a corner.
• Shift-Option lets you draw only equilateral squares
originating from the center.
• Spacebar allows you to freeze and freely move your
shape around while still drawing.
• Once drawn, use the Direct Selection Tool (V) to click on
your art board - then select your shape and Option-drag
to make a copy.
3.4 Drawing Circle/Ellipse
Step 1. Select the Circle/Ellipse tool from the toolbox.
Step 2. Click and drag diagonally until the Circle/Ellipse is the size
you want.

Step 3. Hold down the Shift key to constrain the Circle/Ellipse to a

perfect circle.
Hold down Alt to draw the Circle/Ellipse from the center out.

Step 4. Specify a width and height for the Circle/Ellipse, and click
OK.
Step 5. File then Save. Save the work for next action.

185
Graphics Design

3.5 Drawing lines

Step 1. Choose File > Open. Open desired file.
Step 2. Choose File > Save As. In the Save As dialog box, type
File name into the Name text field; then press Save. In the
Illustrator Options dialog box, press OK to accept the default
settings.
Step 3. In the Control panel select none from the Fill color drop-
down menu. Select the color black from the Stroke color drop-
down menu and select 2 pt from the Stroke Weight drop-down
menu.
Step 4. Select the Pen tool and locate the template labeled
Exercise 1 on the art board. This starts the line by creating the first
anchor point.

Use the Pen tool to create the first anchor point.

Step 5. Move your cursor to the part of the line labeled 2, and
click and release your mouse. The second point of the line is
created. The Pen tool automatically draws a straight line between
the two points.

Click to create the second anchor point.

Step 6. Continue to click and release to complete the line.

Step 7. After you have set a final anchor point, press and hold Ctrl
and click on any empty area of the page. This deselects and ends
the line.
Step 8. Cursor over Exercise 1,2,3,4 etc. Click and release the left
mouse button to create the first/second/3rd/fourth anchor point of
the new line.

Pressing Shift while clicking allows you to create 90- and 45-degree
angles with the Pen tool.

Step 9. With a final anchor point at label 5, hold down the Ctrl key
and click on the art board to deselect and end the line.
Step 10. Choose File > Save to save your work.

186
Adobe Illustrator

3.6 Drawing Polygon

Step 1. Select the Polygon tool from the toolbox. Polygon dialog
box appear.
Step 2. Click once on the art board where you want the center of
the polygon to be. Specify a radius and number of sides for the
polygon, and click OK.

3.7 Drawing Stars

To drawing STARS complete the following steps
Step 1. File > Drawing tools > Drawing star. Star dialog box
appear on the art board. You can adjust the ratio between Radius
1 and Radius 2, causing a change in how pointed the star is.
Step 2. You can create a sharply pointed star by defining a
Radius 2 value that is much less than the value of Radius 1.

Step 3. Set points value of 7. Then press OK to create STAR.

Step 4. File > Save, save your work.
3.8 Tracing
Tracing means the act of copying by marking on transparent
paper. Adobe Illustrator added tracing options with the Live Trace
feature, but it did have some limitations. When you place a bitmap
image in your document, you can access Image Trace in two
ways using the default presets located in the Control panel or
using the new Image Trace panel. Image Trace panel are six
preset buttons Auto-Color, High Color, Low Color, Gray scale,
Black and White, and Outline.
3.8.2 Tracing Placed Image Using Tracing Panel
Step 1. Choose File > Open. Open desired file.
Step 2. Choose File > Save As. In the Save As dialog box, type
File name into the Name text field; then press Save. In the
Illustrator Options dialog box, press OK to accept the default
settings.
Step 3. Work with a picture of bananas, converting it from a
bitmap to a vector image. Select the Zoom tool to enlarge the view
so you can see the tracing results better.
Step 4. Using the Selection tool, click on the picture, then choose
Window > Image Trace. The Image Trace panel will appear. You
can view both the panel and image at the same time.

187
Graphics Design

Click on the picture and open the Image Trace panel.

Step 5. Top of the panel are six preset options. Click Auto-Color
button as above figure. The Auto-Color preset will preview live on
the art board.

Step 6. From the Palette drop-down menu, select Full Tone. In

the Advanced option section, type 25% in the Paths, 50% in the
Corners and 70px in the Noise text fields, then press Enter. As
you can see, these small adjustments produce a much better
rendering of the original bitmap image.

Make some custom adjustments to enhance the image tracing results.

Step 7. You can save your own preset to use again on other
images. Click on Preset panel menu and select Save as New
Preset. In Save Image Trace Preset dialog box, type Full Tone
Image then click OK.

Save your own custom preset.

Step 8. Click Expand button to finalize the trace and expand your
image into a fully editable vector image.

Click Expand in the Control panel to complete the vector trace.

Step 10. Choose File > Save. Leave the file open for the next
exercise.

188
Adobe Illustrator

3.9 Using rulers

Rulers help you accurately place and measure objects in the
illustration window or in an art board. The point where 0 appears
on each ruler is called the ruler origin. Illustrator provides separate
rulers for documents and art boards. You can select only one of
these rulers at one point. Create artwork of a specific size that is
aligned, scaled, and positioned properly by using rulers and
guides. Toggle the rulers on and off, change the units of
measurement, add and lock guides, and use the x and y
coordinates to navigate a document.

3.9.1 Types of rulers

There are two types of Rulers used in Adobe Illustrator. Such as;
1. Global rulers appear at the top and left sides of the illustration
window. The default ruler origin is located at the top-left corner of
the illustration window.
2. Art board rulers appear at the top and left sides of the active
art board. The default art board ruler origin is located at the top-
left corner of the art board.

3.9.3 Commands for Show/Hide Rulers

• To show or hide rulers, choose View > Rulers > Show
Rulers or View> Rulers > Hide Rulers.
• To toggle between art board rulers and global rulers, click
the View > Rulers > Change to Global Rulers or View >
Rulers > Change to Art board Rulers.
• To show or hide video rulers, choose View > Show Video
Rulers or View > Hide Video Rulers.
• To restore the default ruler origin, double-click the upper-
left corner where the rulers intersect.
3.10 Creating guides
1. If the rulers aren’t showing, choose View > Show Rulers.
2. Position the pointer on the left ruler for a vertical guide or
on the top ruler for a horizontal guide.
3. Drag the guide into position.
You can also convert vector objects to guides by selecting
them and choosing View > Guides > Make Guides.
4. If you want to restrict the guides to an art board and not to
the entire canvas, then select the Art board tool and then
drag the guides on to the art board.
3.10.1 Using guides
Guides help you align text and graphic objects. You can create
ruler guides and guide objects. Like the grid, guides do not print.
You can choose between two guide styles, dots and lines and you
can change the color of guides by using either predefined guide
colors or colors you select using a color picker. By default, guides

189
Graphics Design

are unlocked so that you can move, modify, delete, or convert

them, but you can choose to lock them into place.
• To show or hide guides, choose View > Guides > Show
Guides or View > Guides > Hide Guides.
• To change guide settings, choose Edit > Preferences >
Guides & Grid or Illustrator > Preferences > Guides & Grid.
• To lock guides, select View > Guides > Lock Guides.

3.11 Drawing grids

Use the grid tools to quickly draw rectangular and polar grids. The
Rectangular Grid tool creates rectangular grids of a specified size
with a specified number of dividers. The Polar Grid tool creates
concentric circles of a specified size and a specified number of
dividers.

3.11.1 Drawing rectangular grids

1. Select the Rectangular Grid tool .
2. Do one of the following:
3. Drag until the grid is the desired size.
4. Click to set the grid’s reference point. In the dialog box,
click a square on the reference point locator to
determine the point from which the grid is drawn. Then set
any of the following options, and click OK. Default Size
Specifies the width and height of the entire grid.

3.11.2 Drawing circular (polar) grids

1. Select the Polar Grid tool .
2. Do one of the following:
3. Drag until the grid is the desired size.
4. Click to set the grid’s reference point. In the dialog box,
click a square on the reference point locator to
determine the point from which the grid is drawn. Then set
any of the following options, and click OK. Default Size
Specifies the width and height of the entire grid.

190
Adobe Illustrator

ACTIVITY

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

3.12 State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. An exact height and width are very important for the shape.
2. Fonts are sets of electronic letters and each letter has a shape.
3. Make anchor points with the Pen tool Lines are automatically
generated as a result.

3.13 Multiple Choice questions

a. How many dividers are used in circular grids?

i) 2
ii) 3
iii) 4
iv) 5.

b. Rulers are used in illustrator to measure -----.

i) Hue
ii) Object
iii) Subject
iv) Predicate

c. How many types of image are in Tracing options?

i) 10
ii) 11
iii) 12
iv) 13

3.14 Analytical questions.

1. What do you mean by shape and vector shape?

2. What do you mean by Tracing?
3. Practice with various vector shapes.
4. Practice with using rulers, guides and grids.

191
Graphics Design

Lesson 4 : Selection Tools

4.1. Learning Objectives

On completion of this lesson you will be able to describe:

♦ Various selection tools.

♦ Various advanced selection tools.
♦ Adding and subtracting selections.
♦ Saving and reloading selections.

Introduction

4.2 Making selections

Making a selection is the process to organize and lay
out your art work; you use tools for selecting,
positioning, and stacking objects precisely. You can
measure and align objects; group objects so that they
are treated as a single unit; and selectively isolate, lock,
or hide objects.

4.3 Options for selecting objects

Before you can modify an object, you need to distinguish it from
the objects around it. You do that by selecting the object. Once
you’ve selected an object, or a part of an object, you can edit it.
Illustrator provides the following selection methods and tools
4.3.1 Isolation mode
Lets you quickly isolate a layer, sub layer, path, or group of
objects, from all other art in your document. When in isolation
mode, all non isolated objects in the document appear dimmed
and are not selectable or editable.

4.3.2 Layers panel

Lets you quickly and precisely select individual or multiple
objects. You can select a single object (even if it’s in a group), all
objects within a layer, and entire groups.

4.3.3 Selection tool

Lets you select objects and groups by clicking or dragging over
them. You can also select groups within groups and objects within
groups.

4.3.4 Direct Selection tool

Lets you select individual anchor points or path segments by
clicking on them, or select an entire path or group by selecting any

192
Adobe Illustrator

other spot on the item. You can also select one or more objects in
a group of objects.
4.3.5 Group Selection tool
Lets you select an object within a group, a single group within
multiple groups, or a set of groups within the artwork. Each
additional click adds all objects from the next group in the
hierarchy.

4.3.6 Lasso tool

Lets you select objects, anchor points, or path segments by
dragging around all or part of the object.
4.3.7 Magic Wand tool
Lets you select objects of the same color, stroke weight, stroke
color, opacity, or blending mode by clicking the object.
4.3.8 Live Paint Selection tool
Lets you select faces and edges (portions of paths between
intersections) of Live Paint groups.

4.4 Specify selection preferences

Selecting paths and points in complex images can be challenging.
Using the Selection and Anchor display preferences, you can
specify the tolerance for pixel selection and choose other options
that can make selection easier for a particular document.

1. Choose Edit > Preferences > Selection & Anchor

2. Specify any of the following Selection options
Tolerance
Specifies the pixel range for selecting anchor points.
Higher values increase the width of the area around an
anchor point that you can click to select it.
Object Selection By Path Only
Specifies whether you can select a filled object by clicking
anywhere in the object or whether you have to click a path.
Snap To Point
Snaps objects to anchor points and guides. Specify the
distance between the object and anchor point or guide
when the snap occurs.
4.5 Applying selecting process to isolate artwork for editing
Isolation mode isolates objects so that you can easily select and
edit particular objects or parts of objects. You can isolate any of
the following layers, sub layers, groups, symbols, clipping masks,
compound paths, gradient meshes, and paths. In Isolation mode,
you can delete, replace, and add new art relative to the isolated
art.

193
Graphics Design

Isolating the butterfly group

When it is active, it appears in full color, while the rest of the
artwork appears dimmed. It is name and location appears in the
isolation mode border, and the Layers panel displays only the
artwork in the isolated sub layer or group.

4.6 Isolate a path, object, or group

Do one of the following
• Double-click the path or group using the Selection tool.
• Select the group, object, or path and click the Isolate
Selected Object button in the Control panel.
• Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the group
and choose Isolate Selected Group.
• Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Mac OS) the path
and choose Isolate Selected Path.
• Select the group, object, or path in the Layers panel and
choose Enter Isolation Mode from the Layers panel menu
or click the Isolate Selected Object button in the Control
panel.
4.6.1 Isolate a path inside a group
1. Select the path by using the Direct-Selection tool or by
targeting it in the Layers panel.
2. Click the Isolate Selected Object button in the Control
panel.

4.6.2 Isolate a layer or sub layer

Select the layer or sub layer in the Layers panel, and choose
Enter Isolation Mode from the Layers panel menu.

4.7 Selecting Objects

Selecting objects are most important to select objects or

images or layers or sub layers.

4.7.1 Select objects using the Layers panel

1. In the Layers panel, locate the object you want to select.
You may have to click a toggle arrow to expand a layer or
group, or scroll up or down in the panel to locate the
object.

194
Adobe Illustrator

2. Do any of the following

o To select individual objects, click in the object’s
selection column (between the target button and
the scroll bar). Shift-click to add or to remove
objects from the selection.
o To select all artwork in a layer or group, click in the
layer’s or group’s selection column.
o To select all artwork in a layer based on the
currently selected artwork, choose Select >
Object > All Same Layers. Selection color boxes
appear next to each selected item in the panel.
4.7.2 Select objects with the Selection tool
1. Select the Selection tool .
2. Do either of the following

o Click an object.

o Drag a marquee around part or all of one or more

objects.
3. To add or remove objects from the selection, hold down
Shift and click or drag around the objects you want to add
or remove.

Dragging over objects to select them

When the Selection tool is over an unselected object or group, it

changes when it is over a selected object or group, the tool
changes to . When it is over an anchor point on an
unselected object, a hollow square appears next to the arrow .

4.7.3 Select objects with the Lasso tool

1. Select the Lasso tool .
2. Drag around or across the objects.

4.7.4 Select objects with the Magic Wand tool

Use the Magic Wand tool to select all objects in a document with
the same or similar fill attributes. You can customize the Magic
Wand tool to select objects based on stroke weight, stroke color,
opacity, or blending mode. You can also change the tolerances
used by the Magic Wand tool to identify similar objects.

4.8 Using selection tools

Selection tools are the most powerful tools in adobe
Illustrator. To manipulate images in various ways

195
Graphics Design

Selection tools are most useful tools. Every levels and

layers of images are necessary to select, manipulate
and modified Selection tools is most useful there.

4.8.1 Select one or more groups with the Selection tool

1. Select the Selection tool .
2. Do one of the following to any object that’s within the group
o Click the object.
o Drag around part or the entire object.
3. To add or remove a group to the selection, hold down Shift
while clicking the group to add or remove.

4.8.2 Select objects and groups within groups with the

Selection tool
1. Select the Selection tool .
2. Double-click a group. The group appears in isolation mode.
3. Do any of the following
• Double-click to select further down into the group
structure.
• Click to select an object within the selected group.
• Draw to add an object to the selected group.
4. Double-click outside the group to deselect the group.

4.8.3 Select a single object within a group

1. Do one of the following
• Select the Group Selection tool , and click the object.
• Select the Lasso tool , and drag around or across the
object’s path.
• Select the Direct Selection tool , and click within the
object, or drag a marquee around part or all of the object’s
path.
2. To add or remove an object or group to or from the
selection (with any selection tool), hold down Shift and
select the object to add or remove.

4.9 Advanced Selection technique

This is the most powerful technique in selections. Any critical and
complex selection this tools is applied.

4.9.1 Applying advanced Selection technique to select an

anchor point
1. Choose Select-->Deselect to make sure the object isn’t
selected.
2. Select the Direct Selection tool from the Tools panel.
3. Click one anchor point. Only one anchor point is solid, and
the others are hollow.

196
Adobe Illustrator

4. Click and drag that solid anchor point with the Direct
Selection tool.
Only that solid anchor point moves.

4.9.2 Applying advanced Selection technique to select an

object

1. Choose the Selection tool.

2. Click outside the object and drag over a small part of it.
The entire object becomes selected.

You can also select only one anchor point in an object by

using the marquee method
3. Choose Select-->Deselect to make sure the object isn’t
selected and then choose the Direct Selection tool.
4. Click outside a corner of the object and drag over only the
anchor point you want to select. Anchor point is active,
when you’re trying to select individual points.

4.10 Subtracting selection with the Shape Builder tool

Step 1.Click and hold down on the Polygon tool in the Tools panel
to select the hidden Ellipse tool.
Step 2.Choose View > Snap to Point to uncheck that feature. For
small shapes, this feature prevent the correct shape.
Step 3.Click and drag a small ellipse over the right side of the
newly created shape. The ellipse will be subtracted from
combined shape to form of mouth.

Create the shape that will be subtracted to form a mouth.

Step 4.Push Selection tool and Shift+click to activate both the

ellipse and combined shape at the same time.
Step 5.Select the Shape Builder tool and hold down the Alt key.
The cursor shows a minus sign in the lower-right.
Step 6.Alt/Option key still being held down, and click inside-right
edge of the ellipse into the left edge. When you release, the

197
Graphics Design

ellipse shape is subtracted from the combined shape, form of

mouth.

Select both shapes. Hold down Alt/Opt key and drag within
the ellipse shape to subtract it.
Step 7.Select the Ellipse tool, then click and drag to create an
oval shape that intersects across the top of the combined shape.
Step 8.Hold Ctrl key and notice you are on the Ellipse tool, the
cursor has changed into the Selection cursor. Click and drag a
marquee that touches both ellipse and fish body shape to activate
both shapes.

Hold down the Ctrl/Command key to temporarily access the Selection

tool.
Step 9.With both shapes selected, select the Shape Builder tool
and click and drag from the area where the ellipse and the fish
body shape meet into the fish shape. The intersected area is
added to the fish body shape.

Click and drag from within the intersected the result. Shape into the fish
body shape.

Step 10.Choose File > Save or press Ctrl+S to save your file.
Keep it open for the next action.

4.11 Saving a selection

Illustrator comes to the rescue with the Save Selection feature.
After you have a selection that you may need again, choose
Select-->Save Selection and name the selection. The selection
now appears at the bottom of the Select menu. To change the
name or delete the saved selection, choose Select-->Edit
Selection. This selection is saved with the document. A selection
is just an extra channel that you can call on at any time.
4.11.1 Creating an alpha channel to save selection follow
these steps
1. Create a selection that you want to save.
2. Choose Select→ Save Selection.
3. Name the selection and click OK.

198
Adobe Illustrator

ACTIVITY
4.12 State whether the following statements are true or false.
1. To add objects from the selection, hold down Shift and click
around the objects you want to add.
2. Choose Select→Load Selection to Selection dialog box
appears.
3. Deselecting paths and points in complex images can be
challenging.
4. Click outside the object and drag over a small part of it.

4.13 Multiple Choice questions

a. Selection is the process to ---- and lay out your art work.

i) Determine
ii) Organize
iii) Adding
iv) Subtracting.

b. What is the right option used to Isolate Selected Group?

i) Right click
ii) Left click
iii) Enter
iv) Escape.

c. Which is the shortcut command used to deselect an object?

i) Alt + click
ii) Shift + check
iii) Shift + click
iv) Crtl + click.

d. Which is the tool used to specify the difference between

object and anchor point?

i) Lasso
ii) Snap
iii) Magic wand
iv) Tolerance.

199
Graphics Design

4.14 Analytical questions.

1. What is called selection tools?

2. Describe various selection tools.
3. Describe the process to adding and subtracting selections.
4. Practice with saving and reloading selections.
5. Write the common steps of subtracting selections with
shape builder tools.

200
Adobe Illustrator

Lesson 5 : Managing Shapes in Adobe

Illustrator
5.1. Learning Objectives

On completion of this lesson you will be able to describe:

♦ Copying various shapes from one to another.

♦ Transforming various images shapes.
♦ Aligning & distributing various shapes.
♦ Locking & hiding various shapes.

5.2 Moving the shapes

Move shapes/objects by dragging with specific tools, by using the
arrow keys or by entering values in dialog box. Use snapping to
position of shapes/objects. You can also use the Align panel to
position shapes/objects in relation to each other. Use Shift key to
move shapes/objects horizontal, vertical, or diagonal direction of
the x and y axes.

5.2.1 Move or duplicate a shape/object by pasting

1. Select one or more shapes/objects.
2. Choose Edit > Cut to move the selection or Edit > Copy to
duplicate the selection.
3. To paste an shape/object into another file, open the file.
4. Choose one of the following commands
Edit > Paste Pastes the shape/object into the center of the
active window.
Edit > Paste In Front Pastes the shape/object directly in
front of the selected shape/object.
Edit > Paste In Back Pastes the object directly in back of
the selected object.
Edit > Paste in Place Pastes artwork on the active art
board at the same position as the art board from where the
artwork is copied.
Edit > Paste on All Art boards Pastes artwork on all the
art boards at the same location where the artwork is on the
current art board.

5.2.2 Move a shape/object by dragging

1. Select one or more shapes/objects.
2. Drag the shape/object to a new location. If a selected
shape/object is filled, you can drag from anywhere on the
shape/object. If a selected object is unfilled, if you are
viewing artwork as outlines, or if the Shape/Object

201
Graphics Design

Selection By Path Only preference is selected, you must

drag from the shapes/object’s path.

5.2.3 Move a shape/object using the arrow keys

1. Select one or more shapes/objects.
2. Press arrow key to move the shape/object. Press
Shift+arrow to move the shape/object ten times the value
specified by the Keyboard Increment preference. The
default distance is 1 point (1/72 of an inch, or .3528
millimeter). To change the Keyboard Increment preference,
choose Edit > Preferences > General.
5.3 Paste a shape/object relative to other objects
1. Select the shape/object you want to paste.
2. Choose Edit > Copy or Edit > Cut.
3. Select the shape/object in front or in back of which you
want to paste.
4. Choose Edit > Paste In Front or Edit > Paste In Back.
If you paste more than one shape/object, all pasted
shapes/objects appear in front or in back of the selected
artwork.

Copying / cloning the shapes

Step 1.Make sure that the smaller shape you just created is
selected.
Step 2.Choose the Selection tool and then position your cursor
over the smaller shape that you created.
Step 3.Press Alt key, to create a copy of the original shape
directly. That will be addressed in a later step.
Step 4.Repeat the same process to clone a third shape
underneath the second
Step 5.Select middle shape and click on the Fill box. Click the
arrow that appears on the right of the Fill box and select the purple
(C=50, M=100, Y=0, K=0) color at the beginning of the third row of
swatches.

Use the Appearance panel to change the fill color.

Step 6.Select the bottom shape, click the arrow that appears on
the right of the Fill box in the Appearance panel, and select the

202
Adobe Illustrator

orange (C=0, M=50, Y=100, K=0) color at the end of the first row
of swatches.

The artwork at this stage.

5.5 Aligning and distributing the shapes

You will now align and distribute the shapes.

Step 1.Use Selection tool to Shift+click and select all three
shapes.
Step 2.If no Align buttons, click on Align panel, or select Window >
Align to show the Align panel.
Step 3.Select Horizontal Align Left from the Align Objects row.
Step 4.Click on the Vertical Distribute Center button in the
Distribute Objects row.

Align and distribute the shapes.

Step 5.Select all shape and click on Transform tool. Transform

panel appears.
Step 6.With all three shapes selected, click on the upper-left
corner of the reference point and change the X value to .5, and
the Y value to 1.25.

Set the position for the three shapes.

Step 7.Select the large shape, and type 1.25 in the X text field
and .75 into the Y text field. Ignore it if the value changes slightly
after you have entered it.

203
Graphics Design

Set the position for the three shapes.

Step 8.Choose File > Save to save this file. Keep it open for the
next action.

5.6 Grouped shapes / objects

Combine shapes/objects into a group those are treated as a single
unit. Grouped shapes/objects are stacked in succession on same
layer of the artwork. Group change layering of objects and their
stacking order on a given layer. If you select objects in different
layers and then group them, the objects are grouped in the layer
of the topmost selected object. Groups can also be nested; they
can be grouped within other objects or groups. Groups appear as
<Group> items in the Layers panel.
1. Select the shapes/objects to be grouped or the group to be
ungrouped.
2. Choose either Object > Group or Object > Ungroup.

5.6.1 Grouping shapes

Step 1.Open desired file/shape.

Step 2.Click Rounded Rectangle tool and release when the
rectangle is flush with the bottom and right sides of the rounded
rectangle. Creating the sharp corner in the lower-right of this
shape.

Click and drag to create a rectangle.

Step 3.Hold Shift+ click on the rounded rectangle shape.

Rectangle and Rounded rectangle are selected.
Step 4.Select the Shape Builder tool from the Tools panel.
Step 5.With the Shape Builder tool, click and drag from the larger
rounded rectangle all the way down into the lower-right corner of
the rectangle shape and release. The shapes are now grouped
into one shape.

204
Adobe Illustrator

Click and drag through the shapes.

5.7 Locking Shapes or Objects or layers

Locking shapes or objects or layers prevents you from selecting
and editing them. You can quickly lock multiple paths, groups, and
sub layers by locking their parent layer. You can also use the
following commands to lock shapes or objects or layers
• To lock shapes or objects or layers, click the edit button in
the Layers panel for the shapes or objects or layers you
want to lock. Drag across multiple edit buttons to lock
multiple items.
• To lock all shapes that overlap the area of the selected
shapes and that are in the same layer, select the shapes,
and then choose shapes > Lock > All Artwork Above.
• To lock all shapes other than the shapes that contains a
selected item or group, choose shapes > Lock > Other
Layers or choose Lock Others from the Layers panel
menu.

5.8 Unlocking Shapes or Objects or layers

• To unlock shapes or objects or layers, click the lock icon
in the Layers panel for the shapes or objects or layers you
want to unlock.
• To unlock all shapes in the document, choose shapes >
Unlock All.
• To unlock all shapes within a group, select unlocked and
visible shapes within the group. Hold down Shift+Alt and
choose shapes > Unlock All.

5.9 Hiding shapes or objects or layers

• In the Layers panel, click the eye icon next to the item
you want to hide. Click again to redisplay the item. If you
hide a layer or group, all items in the layer or group are
hidden.
• Drag across multiple eye icons to hide multiple items.
• Select shapes you want to hide, and choose shapes or
objects or layers > Hide > Selection.
• To hide all shapes, select the shapes and choose
shapes > Hide > All Artwork Above.
• To hide all unselected shapes, choose Hide Others from
the Layers panel menu or Alt+ click the eye icon for the
shapes or objects or layers you want to show.

205
Graphics Design

5.10 Transforming
Transforming a shape/object is typically changing its position or
shape, or both. Of course, it seems obvious and easy enough, but
this simple operation is capable of altering your image drastically.
There are many types of transformations altering various
parameters (position, size, angle, etc.), they can be performed
both separately or together at the same time. Transformation
applies to one or more objects that are already selected with the
Selection Tool (V).
5.10.1 Description of various Transforming Tools
In adobe Illustrator various transforming tools are used. It is very
useful and powerful tools of adobe Illustrator. The common used
transforming tools are describing below

5.10.1.1 Moving
A major type of transformation is moving. Move is a
transformation. Moving an object means changing its coordinates,
so the position is altered – hence, moving is transforming. This is
the most popular way to transform, as we always move objects
from one place to another. Moving is measured in points, pixels,
or other distance units that are set in Preferences.

5.10.1.2 Scaling
Scaling is altering the size of an object. Many ways of scaling, but
all of them change the size of an object. Any transformation point
may be assigned while scaling. On two-dimensional graphics
there are two axes, so the object may be scaled in two directions.
It is possible to scale it separately, in this case the shape and
proportions of object will be changed.

If you want to maintain proportions when scaling, hold the

Shift key. If you want to create shapes from the center hold the Alt
key.

5.10.1.3 Rotating
Rotating is changing the object’s angle. Varying from 0 to 360
degrees, we can rotate the object from the initial position on a
virtual imaginary circle. Depending on the point of transformation
we assign, the diameter of this virtual circle may be altered. There
are many ways of rotating an object, entering a needed angle.
Rotation is measured in degrees from -360 to 360.

5.10.1.4 Mirroring
Mirroring, or reflecting, is a more complex way of transformation. It
flips the object in any direction, reflecting it from the axis we need.
We can simply flip an object vertically or horizontally, or insert any

206
Adobe Illustrator

other angle. It also rotates it depending on the axis and

transformation point.
This transformation results in a mirror reflection of the original
object, when we assign the point where mirror stands.

5.11 Transforming shapes/objects

You can perform the following steps to Transforming shapes or

objects

• It was rotated 60° and sheared -

30° using the pull-down menus
from the Transform palette. It is
easier to use the Transform
palette to create complex
transformations to your objects
and shapes.

• Transform palettes used to make simple transformations to

left. You can also change the size of the shapes/objects by
using the Width and Height fields.
• It specify where the shapes/objects will be affected. If you
rotate the shapes/objects, it will be rotated around it is
center point. Both of these shapes/objects were rotated
45°

• Transformations also work with Free Transform tool.

Access this tool by selecting it from the toolbar.

• By mouse over it will change indicating that you can edit

the object from this point.

207
Graphics Design

• Using the Direct Selection tool (), Image edit quickly.

• Rotate and Scale tool, transformations can be performed
with Free Transform tool.

208
Adobe Illustrator

ACTIVITY

CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

5.12 Write the types of various transforming tools.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------

5.13 State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Add anchor points and segments to the object forming it

drastically.
2. To change the Keyboard Increment preference, choose
Edit > Preferences > General (Windows).
3. If you want to lock layers, click the edit column button in
the Layers panel.
4. Drag across multiple eye icons to show multiple items.

5.14 Multiple Choice questions

a. Which is the command used to paste the shape into the

center of window?

i) Escape
ii) Cut
iii) Paste
iv) Paste in front.

b. Which is the option used to move the shape left?

i) Plus key
ii) Minus key
iii) Right arrow
iv) Left arrow.

5.15 Analytical questions.

1. What do you mean by moving shape?

2. Describe various types of shape moving.
3. Describe various shape transforming process.
4. Practice on transforming shapes.

209