The blonde one sneaking in!

[merry_fay]

Hello!!!
I'm afraid I'm a complete & utter newbie to Illustrator. I've just gotten started on CS1 (I know well out of date...) & have successfully drawn a box
I know my way round stuff like Excel & Access very well but have no experience with any drawing software, well, apart from Paint but I don't think that counts!!

Please bear with me, my blonde moments & my ignorance of any terminology or names of tools.

Thanks

 

[cringer8]

Get VERY comfortable using the pen tool Click and hold to drag out your vector direction; click and hold again to create a path segment and drag out your next vector direction; repeat, repeat, repeat. The fewer clicks, the more easily you can edit it when you're done.

To edit, use the white arrow (a) to select the path, which will show you all of your control points (the places you clicked). Select a control point with the white arrow to view its vector handles (the little balls on the ends). Change the the position and distance of the vector handles to tweak both segments attached to the control point. You can move control points, too.

If you drag a vector handle on top of its corresponding control point, it will cease to exist and the segment it was adjacent to will attach to the control point as a straight line. That's how you get nice, sharp corners. In the pen tool fly out, there is a vector tool that looks like the letter "V." If you use that tool, you can click on any control point and create completely new vectors. If you click on a vector handle with that tool, you can change the angle and position of that vector without changing the other vector.

Don't delete a control point using the "Delete" key. Always use the pen tool that has the subtraction mark next to it (in the pen fly out). This will keep your path connected. Unless you really want to break your path apart, then by all means, delete away

Just play

 

[ibclare]

Welcome to PSG merry-fey. So you're gonna use that blonde thing as an excuse? You got nothin' on this brunette! Enjoy the process of learning the new programs. Be forewarned: they're on the list of serious addictions.

 

[merry_fay]

I just use the blonde excuse so the brunettes can understand

Thanks for the tips cringer. I've got so much to learn!!!! Gulp.

 

[ibclare]

Duh, I think I got dat. But maybe you could helloosidayt?