Adobe Illustrator Tips
Adobe Illustrator is a commercial vector graphics software package for Windows and macOS (but not Linux).
Illustrator is a part of the Adobe Creative Cloud.
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) has a license for the complete Adobe Creative Cloud, and it is installed on our Design Workstations 2 and 3.
Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.
Tips
- When to use which design application.
Essential techniques for beginners
View Menu Shortcuts
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
- Use actions to automate tasks in Illustrator - Adobe Support
- Illustrator Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet — makeuseof.com
- Open
- In Windows, you need to change the AI file extension to PDF. Highlight the file and hit F2 on your keyboard. Add PDF to the end of the filename and confirm the change when prompted. Now, double-click the file and it will open in your default PDF viewer. On a Mac, you can view AI files in Preview without any changes. You can also upload AI files to Google Drive and view them there.
Training
Links to adobe.com:
- Adobe Firefly — Generative Recolor in Illustrator
- Illustrator Get Started course
- Adobe Illustrator Product Home Page
Links to other external sites:
Related Pages
Links to related PPM Wiki pages:
- CorelDRAW X6 Tips
- Inkscape Tips
- SVG File Format Tips
- Adobe Photoshop Tips
- Adobe InDesign Tips
- Adobe Bridge Tips
- Canva Tips
- Blender Tips
Hand-Curated Links
Links to member-recommended external sites:
- How to Open AI Files Without Illustrator — makeuseof.com
- Adobe Illustrator Alternatives — alternativeto.net
- 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
For Additional Help
- 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Contact Us if you cannot find your answer here on our Wiki or if you notice any information that is outdated.
Pikes Peak Makerspace (PPM) is dedicated to supporting our maker community in their creative processes by providing shared space, shared tools, materials, software, and a knowledge base to turn their ideas into reality.