Adobe Illustrator Tips
Adobe Illustrator is a subscription-based, commercial vector graphics software package used to generate illustrations(!)
Illustrator is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud. It is available for Windows and macOS, but not Linux.
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) has a subscription for the complete Adobe Creative Cloud, and it is installed on our Windows Design Workstations 2 and 3.
Tips
Links to adobe.com:
Illustrator vs. InDesign
- When to use which design application.
Essential techniques for beginners
Measure and add dimensions
Use actions to automate tasks in Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator shortcuts for View Menu:
Shortcut PC Zoom In Ctrl++ Zoom Out Ctrl+- Fit Artboard in Window Ctrl+0 Fit All in Window Alt+Ctrl+0 Actual Size Ctrl+1 Rulers > Show Rulers Ctrl+R
Open Illustrator Files Without Illustrator:
- ☐ Change the file extension .AI to .PDF, and open in your default PDF viewer.
- ☐ On a Mac, use Preview.
- ☐ Upload Illustrator files to Google Drive.
External Training
Links to adobe.com:
Hand-Curated Links
Links to member-recommended external sites:
- Illustrator Tutorials Covering the Basics — on vecteezy.com
- Avery Templates — design and print using Illustrator
Links to other external sites:
- Adobe Firefly — A.I. image generation
- Adobe Illustrator icons — WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
- John Warnock: Bezier Tutorial — (1987) on YouTube (7:23 mins)
Alternatives
Links to other external sites:
- AFFINITY Designer — alternative to Adobe Illustrator
- The Best Illustrator Alternatives — alternativeto.net
Additional Help
Links to related PPM Wiki pages:
Use the PPM Slack channel #computing
List of all PPM Slack channels
Note that we have a Slack channel (#job-board) for members to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the community.
Search the PPM Wiki — include Content pages as well as Multimedia.
Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.