Adobe Creative Cloud Design Tools All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 2: Discovering Illustrator CC

In This Chapter

• Knowing when to use Illustrator
• Looking around the Document window
• Opening and creating documents
• Checking out the tools and panels
• Changing your view
• Zooming in and out

Adobe Illustrator goes hand in hand with other Adobe products but serves its own, unique purpose. Although Illustrator can create multiple-page artwork (with artboards), it isn't meant to create lengthy documents with repeated headers, footers, and page numbers. Those types of files are more appropriate for applications such as InDesign. Typically, you wouldn't create artwork from Illustrator that's made from pixels, such as images edited or created in Photoshop. Illustrator is generally used to create vector logos, illustrations, maps, packages, labels, signage, web art, and more. (See the nearby “Vector graphics” sidebar for more information.)

This chapter gets you started with Illustrator and helps you understand when Illustrator is the tool best suited for creating your art.

Deciding When to Use Illustrator CC

How do you draw a line in the sand and decide to create graphics in Illustrator rather than in Photoshop? The following questions can help you make up your mind:

• Does the graphic need to be scaled? Will it be used in sizes that you cannot predict at this time?
• Is the artwork technical in nature? Are precise measurements and placement of elements critical?
• Does the artwork require the use of spot colors, using a system such as the Pantone Matching ...