book

Illustrator® CS4 Bible

Name: Illustrator® CS4 Bible
Author: Ted Alspach
ISBN: 9780470345191

by Ted Alspach

November 2008

Beginner to intermediate

767 pages

16h 27m

English

Wiley

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Copyright
About the Author
Acknowledgments
Credits
Preface
What's New in This EditionIs This the Illustrator Book for You?How to Get the Most Out of This BookWhat's a Computer Book without Icons?What's Inside the Book
I. Illustrator Basics
1. What's New in Illustrator CS4?
1.1. Multiple Artboards1.2. Welcome to the New and Improved Appearance Panel1.3. Dropdowns (and Popups) Aplenty1.4. Align Points Like They're Objects1.5. Smart Guides That Are Really Smart1.6. The Blob Brush Tool1.7. Color Separations Preview1.8. Color Blindness Preview1.9. Gradient Enhancements1.10. No More Filter Menu!1.11. Summary
2. Understanding Illustrator's Desktop
2.1. Picasso Meets Illustrator: Getting Started2.1.1. Getting started with Illustrator2.1.2. Quitting Illustrator2.2. Working with Illustrator's Interface2.2.1. Working in the document window2.2.1.1. Understanding the Artboard2.2.1.2. Getting to know the work area2.2.1.3. Using the Print Tiling tool2.2.2. Working with the Tools panel2.2.3. Viewing the Tool Tips2.2.4. Using the panels2.2.4.1. Linking together and tearing apart panels2.2.4.2. Working with panels2.2.5. Using Illustrator's menus2.2.5.1. Panel menus2.2.5.2. Context-sensitive menus2.2.5.3. Typing keyboard commands2.2.6. Using the status bar2.3. Navigating Around Your Document2.3.1. Understanding the Zoom tool2.3.2. Using the Zoom tool2.3.3. Other zooming techniques2.3.3.1. Zooming to Actual Size2.3.3.2. Zooming to Fit in Window size2.3.3.3. Zooming to a specific magnification2.3.4. Zooming with the Navigator panel2.3.5. Using the scroll bars to view your document2.3.6. Scrolling with the Hand tool2.3.7. Scrolling with the Navigator panel2.3.8. Opening a new window2.4. Using Illustrator's Modes2.4.1. Working in Outline mode versus Preview mode2.4.2. Understanding Outline mode2.4.3. Understanding Preview mode2.4.4. Understanding Overprint Preview mode2.4.5. Understanding Pixel Preview mode2.4.6. Using and creating custom views2.4.7. Using screen modes2.5. Using the Edit Commands2.5.1. Using the Clear command2.5.2. Cutting, copying, and pasting2.5.3. Undoing and redoing2.6. Summary
3. Working with Illustrator Documents
3.1. Setting Up a New Document3.2. Modifying the Setup of a Document3.2.1. Adjusting the Bleed and View Options3.2.2. Working with Transparency options3.2.3. Changing Type options3.3. Artboards3.3.1. Choosing the Artboard measurement units3.3.2. The Artboard tool3.3.3. Changing the Artboard size using the Control panel3.3.3.1. Setting the Artboard orientation using the Control panel3.3.3.2. The Artboard Options dialog box3.4. Opening and Closing Illustrator Files3.5. Saving Files3.5.1. Using the Save As command3.5.2. Understanding the Save a Copy command3.5.3. Reverting to the last saved version3.5.4. Saving for Web & Devices option3.5.5. Understanding file types and options3.5.6. Using Illustrator's compatibility options3.5.7. Saving as Illustrator EPS3.5.8. Saving files as Adobe PDF3.5.9. Saving files in SVG3.6. Using the Export Command3.7. Placing Art3.8. Placing Photoshop Art in Illustrator: Understanding Vectors and Pixels3.8.1. Placing raster images3.8.2. Using the Clipboard3.8.3. Dragging and dropping3.9. Working with Document and File Information3.9.1. Looking at document information3.9.2. Saving document information3.9.3. Finding file information3.10. Summary
4. Understanding Drawing and Painting Techniques
4.1. Working with Paths4.1.1. Understanding types of paths4.1.2. Understanding anchor points4.1.3. Understanding control handles and control handle lines4.1.4. Understanding how fills and strokes relate to paths4.2. Drawing Paths with Illustrator Tools4.2.1. Using the Pencil tool4.2.1.1. Drawing open paths and closed paths4.2.1.2. Connecting Pencil paths4.2.1.3. Adding to an existing open path4.2.2. Working with the Smooth tool4.2.3. Erasing with the Path Eraser tool4.2.4. Drawing with the Pen tool4.2.4.1. Drawing straight lines with the Pen tool4.2.4.2. Closing paths with the Pen tool4.2.4.3. Drawing curves with the Pen tool4.2.4.4. Closing curved paths with the Pen tool4.2.4.5. Working with curved corner points4.2.4.6. Combination corner points4.2.4.7. Using basic Pen tool drawing techniques4.2.5. Using the various line tools4.2.5.1. Using the Line Segment tool4.2.5.2. Working with the Arc tool4.2.5.3. Creating spirals with the Spiral tool4.2.5.4. Making grid lines using the Rectangular Grid tool4.2.5.5. Understanding the Polar Grid tool4.2.6. Using the Paintbrush tool4.2.7. Using brushes4.2.8. Using the Calligraphic brush4.2.8.1. Creating a Calligraphic brush4.2.8.2. Variable widths and pressure-sensitive tablets4.2.9. Creating with the Scatter brush4.2.10. Working with the Art brush4.2.11. Creating tiles using the Pattern brush4.2.12. Making a custom brush4.2.13. Understanding colorization tips4.2.14. Checking out the Brush libraries4.3. Summary

5. Creating Objects, Graphs, and Symbols
5.1. Making Basic Shapes5.1.1. Drawing shapes from their centers5.1.2. Drawing symmetric shapes5.1.3. Drawing shapes at an angle5.1.4. Drawing rectangles using the Rectangle tool5.1.5. Defining properties with the Rectangle dialog box5.1.6. Drawing rounded rectangles and squares5.1.7. Using the Round Corners command to round straight corners5.1.8. Rounding corners backward5.1.9. Drawing ellipses5.1.10. Creating polygons5.1.11. Seeing stars5.2. Working with the Flare Tool5.2.1. Understanding Flare options5.2.2. Using a flare to add highlight5.2.3. Editing a flare5.3. Filling and Stroking Shapes5.3.1. Using fills5.3.2. Using strokes5.3.2.1. Setting stroke color5.3.2.2. Changing stroke weight5.3.2.3. Modifying stroke attributes5.3.3. Combining strokes with fills5.3.4. Applying fills and strokes5.4. Creating and Embellishing Graphs and Charts5.4.1. Importing Microsoft Excel graph data5.4.2. Making and editing graphs5.4.3. Customizing graphs5.4.4. Choosing a graph type5.4.4.1. Grouped-column graphs5.4.4.2. Stacked-column graphs5.4.4.3. Line graphs5.4.4.4. Area graphs5.4.4.5. Pie graphs5.4.4.6. Scatter graphs and radar graphs5.5. Creating Flowcharts, Diagrams, and Site Maps5.6. Using Symbols5.6.1. Spraying with the Symbol Sprayer tool5.6.2. Making a new symbol5.6.3. Using the Symbol tool5.7. Summary
6. Learning How to Select and Edit
6.1. Selecting a Path for Editing6.1.1. Understanding the selection methods6.1.1.1. Using Intrapath selecting6.1.1.2. Using Path selecting6.1.1.3. Using Group and IntraGroup selecting6.1.1.4. Using Select All6.1.2. Deciding which selection tool to use6.1.2.1. Using the Selection tool6.1.2.2. Using the Direct Selection tool6.1.2.3. Using the Group Selection tool6.1.2.4. Using the Magic Wand tool6.1.2.5. Using the Lasso tool6.1.3. Selecting, moving, and deleting entire paths6.1.4. Using different selection options6.1.4.1. Select Inverse6.1.4.2. Select Same Blending Mode6.1.4.3. Select Same Fill & Stroke6.1.4.4. Select Same Fill Color6.1.4.5. Select Same Opacity6.1.4.6. Select Same Stroke Color6.1.4.7. Select Same Stroke Weight6.1.4.8. Select Same Style6.1.4.9. Select Same Symbol Instance6.1.4.10. Select Same Link Block Series6.1.4.11. Select Object All on Same Layers6.1.4.12. Select Object Direction Handles6.1.4.13. Select Object Brush Strokes6.1.4.14. Select Object Clipping Masks6.1.4.15. Select Object Stray Points6.1.4.16. Select Object Text Objects6.1.4.17. Select Flash Dynamic Text6.1.4.18. Select Flash Input Text6.1.5. Keeping and labeling a selection6.1.6. Custom paint style selections6.2. Editing Paths in Illustrator6.2.1. Editing with anchor points6.2.2. The Add Anchor Points function6.2.3. Removing anchor points6.2.4. Simplifying paths by removing anchor points6.2.4.1. Removing anchor points using Simplify6.2.5. Splitting paths6.2.6. Sectioning and repeating paths6.2.6.1. The Knife tool6.2.6.2. The Slice tool6.2.7. Reshaping paths6.2.8. Cleaning up a path6.2.9. Offsetting a path6.2.10. Outlining a path6.2.11. Aligning and distributing points6.2.12. Joining6.3. Converting Anchor Points6.4. Converting Smooth Points6.4.1. Converting straight corner points6.4.2. Converting combination corner points6.4.3. Converting curved corner points6.5. Using Illustrator's Pathfinder Functions6.5.1. Setting the Pathfinder options6.5.2. Adding to a shape6.5.3. Subtracting from a shape6.5.4. Intersecting and excluding shapes6.5.5. Using the Expand button6.5.6. Dividing paths6.5.7. Trimming paths6.5.8. Merging paths6.5.9. Cropping paths6.5.10. Outlining paths6.5.11. Using Minus Back6.5.12. Trapping6.6. Summary
7. Understanding Color, Gradients, and Mesh
7.1. Working with the Swatches Panel7.1.1. Using the color swatches7.1.2. Using the Swatches popup menu7.1.3. Using other swatch libraries7.1.4. Using color space options in the Color panel7.1.5. Using the Color Ramp7.1.6. Working with gamut7.1.7. Spot colors7.1.8. Applying colors with the Color panel7.1.9. Transferring color from one object to another7.1.9.1. The Eyedropper tool7.1.9.2. The Live Paint Bucket tool7.2. Using Transparency7.2.1. Defining transparency between objects, groups, and layers7.2.2. Working with opacity7.2.3. Using blending modes7.2.4. Isolating blending7.2.5. Knocking out a group7.2.6. Using opacity, clipping, and invert masks7.2.7. Viewing the transparency grid7.2.8. Printing and flattening7.2.9. Transparency and type7.2.10. Separating transparent objects7.2.11. 3-D, symbols, and transparency7.3. Creating Gradients7.3.1. Using preset gradients7.3.2. Using the Gradient panel7.3.3. Working with the Gradient tool7.3.4. Expanding gradient objects7.3.5. Printing gradients7.4. Adding Realism with Mesh7.4.1. Enhancing with highlights and color7.4.2. Adding multiple highlights7.5. Summary
II. Putting Illustrator to Work
8. Using Illustrator to Organize Objects
8.1. Locking and Hiding Objects8.1.1. Locking objects8.1.2. Hiding objects8.1.3. Setting object attributes8.2. Understanding Object Stacking Order8.2.1. Controlling the stacking order for objects8.2.2. Understanding the stacking order for text8.2.3. Using a stacking order for strokes and fills8.2.4. Pasting objects in front of and behind selected objects8.3. Creating and Deconstructing Groups8.3.1. Grouping objects8.3.2. Ungrouping8.4. Layering Your Artwork8.4.1. Getting started with layers8.4.2. Using the Layers panel8.4.2.1. Using the Layers panel columns8.4.2.2. Using the Layers panel buttons8.4.3. Moving and layers8.4.4. Using the Layers panel's popup menu8.5. Working with Templates in Illustrator8.5.1. Placing a template on a layer8.5.2. Using a template to trace an image8.6. Using Align and Distribute8.7. Measuring an Image8.7.1. Changing the measurement units8.7.2. Using the Measure tool8.7.3. Sizing objects with the Transform panel8.7.4. Using rulers8.7.5. Measuring with objects8.7.6. Using Offset Path (for equidistant measuring)8.8. Working with Grids8.8.1. Creating grid color, style, and spacing8.8.2. Spinning grids8.9. Using Guides8.9.1. Creating guides8.9.2. Locking, unlocking, and moving guides8.9.3. Releasing guides8.9.4. Deleting guides8.9.5. Changing guide preferences8.9.6. Understanding Smart Guides8.10. Measuring for Printing8.10.1. Tiling8.10.2. Creating crop marks8.11. Summary
9. Working with Type
9.1. Understanding Fonts9.1.1. Understanding bitmap fonts9.1.2. Understanding PostScript fonts9.1.3. Understanding TrueType fonts9.1.4. Understanding OpenType fonts9.1.5. Adding type with Multiple Master fonts9.2. Understanding Basic Type Menu Commands9.2.1. Using the Font submenu9.2.2. Understanding the Recent Fonts submenu9.2.3. Choosing a font size9.2.4. Using alternate glyphs9.3. Using the Type Tools9.3.1. Using the Type tool9.3.2. Using the Area Type tool9.3.3. Using the Type on a Path tool9.3.4. Using the Vertical Type tool9.4. Creating Individual Type9.5. Placing Area Type in a Rectangle9.6. Working with Type Areas9.7. Creating Area Type9.7.1. Using area type functions9.7.2. Choosing good shapes for area type9.7.3. Outlining areas of area type9.7.4. Selecting carefully with area type9.7.5. Changing the area, not the type9.7.6. Flowing area type into shapes9.7.7. Wrapping type around paths9.8. Placing Type on a Path9.8.1. Adding effects to type on a path9.8.2. Using vertical type9.9. Selecting Type9.10. Editing Type9.11. Using the Type Panels9.11.1. Working with the Character panel9.11.1.1. Changing fonts and styles9.11.1.2. Measuring type9.11.1.3. Changing type size9.11.1.4. Adjusting the leading9.11.1.5. Kerning and tracking9.11.1.6. Using vertical scale and horizontal scale9.11.1.7. Using baseline shift9.11.1.8. Using character rotation9.11.1.9. Using text underlining and strikethrough9.11.1.10. Understanding the language barrier9.11.1.11. More multinational options9.11.2. Working with the Paragraph panel9.11.2.1. Adding paragraph options9.11.2.2. Aligning type9.11.2.3. Indenting paragraphs9.11.2.4. Spacing before or after paragraphs9.11.2.5. Spacing through justification9.11.2.6. Hyphenating text9.11.2.7. Using Every-line and Single-line Composer9.11.2.8. Controlling punctuation9.11.3. Working with the OpenType panel9.11.4. Working with the Tabs panel9.12. Using Advanced Type Functions9.12.1. Threading text9.12.2. Unthreading text9.12.3. Fitting a headline9.12.4. Finding and replacing text9.12.5. Finding fonts9.12.6. Checking spelling9.12.7. Changing case9.12.8. Using Smart Punctuation9.12.9. Adding rows and columns9.12.10. Showing hidden characters9.12.11. Changing type orientation9.12.12. Updating legacy text9.12.13. Exporting and placing9.13. Creating Outlines9.13.1. Distorting characters for special effects9.13.2. Masking and other effects9.13.3. Avoiding font conflicts by creating outlines9.13.4. Understanding hinting9.14. Understanding Other Type Considerations9.15. Summary
10. Using Creative Strokes and Fills with Patterns
10.1. Using Creative Strokes10.1.1. Stroke essentials10.1.2. Using the stroke charts10.1.3. Creating parallel strokes10.1.4. Creating map elements10.1.4.1. Creating a railroad track with a gradient10.1.4.2. Creating a highway10.2. Creating Perfect Patterns10.2.1. Using the default patterns10.2.2. Creating custom patterns10.2.3. Understanding pattern backgrounds and boundaries10.2.4. Making seamless patterns10.2.5. Creating symmetrical patterns10.2.6. Creating line patterns and grids10.2.6.1. Creating line patterns10.2.6.2. Creating grid patterns10.2.7. Using diagonal-line and grid patterns10.2.8. Using transparency and patterns together10.2.9. Transforming patterns10.3. Summary
11. Applying Transformations and Distortions
11.1. Adding a Transformation with Tools11.1.1. Rotating with the Rotate tool11.1.2. Reflecting with the Reflect tool11.1.3. Scaling with the Scale tool11.1.4. Shearing with the Shear tool11.1.5. Reshaping with the Reshape tool11.1.6. Moving objects11.1.7. Using the Free Transform tool11.2. Working with the Transform Panel11.3. Using Transform Each11.4. Using Transformations11.4.1. Creating shadows11.4.2. Rotating into a path11.4.3. Making tiles using the Reflect tool11.4.4. Using transformation tools on portions of paths11.4.5. Transforming patterns11.5. Using Liquify Tools on Objects11.5.1. Warping objects11.5.2. Twirling objects11.5.3. Puckering11.5.4. Bloating11.5.5. Scalloping11.5.6. Crystallizing11.5.7. Wrinkling11.6. Distorting with Effects11.6.1. Using free distortions11.6.2. Using Pucker & Bloat11.6.3. Roughening objects11.6.4. Transforming objects11.6.5. Tweaking transforms11.6.6. Using the Twist command11.6.7. Working with the Zig Zag effect11.7. Using Warp Effects11.7.1. Understanding Warp types11.8. Summary
12. Using Path Blends, Compound Paths, and Masks
12.1. Understanding the Difference between Blends and Gradients12.2. Creating Path Blends12.3. Defining Linear Blends12.4. Working with Blend Options12.4.1. Using the Blend option12.4.2. Blending multiple objects12.4.3. Editing a blended object12.4.4. Releasing a blend12.4.5. Expanding blends12.4.6. Replacing the spine12.4.7. Reversing the spine12.4.8. Reversing front to back12.4.9. Using nonlinear blends12.4.10. Finding end paths for linear blends12.4.11. Calculating the number of steps12.4.12. Creating radial blends12.5. Making a Color Blend12.5.1. Using multiple colors with linear blends12.5.2. Using guidelines for creating color linear blends12.6. Creating Shape Blends12.6.1. Complex-shape blending12.6.2. Creating realism with shape blends12.6.3. Blending symbols12.6.4. Blending envelopes12.6.5. Blending 3-D objects12.6.6. Airbrushing shadows12.6.7. Creating glows12.6.8. Softening edges12.6.9. Designing neon effects12.7. Using Compound Paths12.7.1. Creating compound paths12.7.2. Releasing compound paths12.7.3. Understanding holes12.7.4. Overlapping holes12.7.5. Creating compound paths from separate sets of paths12.7.6. Working with type and compound paths12.8. Finding Path Directions12.8.1. Figuring out which way to go12.8.2. Reversing path directions12.8.3. Faking a compound path12.9. Using Clipping Masks12.9.1. Creating masks12.9.2. Masking raster images12.9.3. Using a mask with other masks12.9.4. Releasing masks12.9.5. Masking and printing12.9.6. Masking and compound paths12.10. Summary
13. Using Live Trace
13.1. Understanding Live Trace13.2. Learning Live Trace Modes13.2.1. Getting to know Outline mode13.2.2. Using Tracing Result mode13.2.3. Combining Outline and Tracing Result modes13.3. Setting Live Trace Options13.3.1. Understanding the Live Trace presets13.3.2. Choosing custom Live Trace options13.4. Tracing Raster Images with Live Trace13.5. Summary
14. Using Live Paint
14.1. Understanding Live Paint14.2. Setting the Live Paint Options14.3. Using Live Paint14.4. Summary
III. Mastering Illustrator
15. Working with Graphic Styles and Effects
15.1. Understanding How Graphic Styles Work15.1.1. Using the Appearance panel15.1.1.1. Editing and adding strokes and fills15.1.1.2. Duplicating and removing items15.1.1.3. Clearing an appearance15.1.1.4. Reducing to basic appearance15.1.1.5. Showing and hiding Appearance panel attributes15.1.1.6. Setting New Art preferences15.1.1.7. Viewing thumbnails15.1.1.8. Redefining graphic styles15.1.2. Working with the Graphic Styles panel15.1.2.1. Creating a new graphic style15.1.2.2. Duplicating and merging graphic styles15.1.2.3. Deleting a graphic style15.1.2.4. Breaking the link to a graphic style15.1.2.5. Understanding the other Graphic Styles panel options15.1.2.6. Opening and saving Graphic Style Libraries15.2. Using Effects15.2.1. Understanding 3-D effects15.2.2. Using Convert to Shape effects15.2.3. Distorting and transforming effects15.2.4. Creating Path effects15.2.5. Understanding the Rasterize effect15.2.6. Stylizing effects15.2.6.1. Using the Add Arrowheads effect15.2.6.2. Using the Drop Shadow effect15.2.6.3. Understanding the Feather effect15.2.6.4. Using the Inner Glow and Outer Glow effects15.2.6.5. Using the Round Corners effect15.2.6.6. Understanding Scribble15.2.6.6.1. Using the Scribble presets15.2.6.6.2. Working with the Scribble options15.2.7. Using SVG Filters effects15.2.8. Warp effects15.2.9. Creating Photoshop effects15.3. Summary
16. Creating 3-D in Illustrator
16.1. Using 3-D in Illustrator16.2. Understanding the Three-Dimensional World16.2.1. Changing from two dimensions to three dimensions16.2.2. Three-dimensional positioning16.3. Extruding and Revolving 2-D Objects16.3.1. Extruding flat art16.3.2. Extruding a stroke16.3.3. Understanding bevels16.3.4. Revolving objects16.4. Rotating Objects16.5. Changing the Appearance of Three-Dimensional Objects16.5.1. The Surface characteristics16.5.2. Understanding lighting16.5.3. Lighting options16.5.4. Using the Appearance panel with 3-D16.5.5. Mapping 2-D art to 3-D surfaces16.6. Using Other 3-D Techniques16.6.1. Using gradients to make bumps and dents16.6.2. Perspective drawing16.7. Summary
17. Customizing and Automating Illustrator
17.1. Who's Responsible for Illustrator?17.2. Customization Options17.3. Changing Preferences17.3.1. Altering the Keyboard Increment option17.3.2. Using the Constrain Angle option17.3.3. Changing the Corner Radius option17.3.4. Adjusting the General options17.3.4.1. Use Precise Cursors17.3.4.2. Show Tool Tips17.3.4.3. Anti-aliased Artwork17.3.4.4. Select Same Tint %17.3.4.5. Append [Converted] Upon Opening Legacy Files17.3.4.6. Disable Auto Add/Delete17.3.4.7. Use Japanese Crop Marks17.3.4.8. Transform Pattern Tiles17.3.4.9. Scale Strokes & Effects17.3.4.10. Use Preview Bounds17.3.4.11. Reset All Warning Dialogs17.3.5. Changing the Selection & Anchor Display options17.3.5.1. Tolerance17.3.5.2. Object Selection by Path Only17.3.5.3. Snap to Point17.3.5.4. Anchors/Handles17.3.5.5. Highlight anchors on mouse over17.3.5.6. Show handles when multiple anchors are selected17.4. Changing Preferences for Type17.4.1. The Size/Leading option17.4.2. The Baseline Shift option17.4.3. The Tracking option17.4.4. The Type Object Selection by Path Only option17.4.5. The Show Asian Options option17.4.6. The Show Font Names in English option17.4.7. Setting the Number of Recent Fonts option17.4.8. Choosing a Font Preview size17.4.9. Enable Missing Glyph Protection17.4.10. Use Inline Input for Non-Latin text17.5. Using Units & Display Performance17.5.1. Changing Units settings17.5.2. Changing Display Performance17.6. Changing Guides & Grid Preferences17.7. Adjusting Smart Guides17.7.1. Changing Display Options17.7.2. Altering angles (for construction guides)17.7.3. Changing the Snapping Tolerance17.8. Adjusting Slices Preferences17.9. Changing Hyphenation17.10. Adjusting the Plug-Ins & Scratch Disks17.11. Customizing the User Interface17.12. Customizing the File Handling & Clipboard17.13. Setting the Appearance of Black Options17.14. Altering Placement and Tools Panel Value Preferences17.15. Adding Keyboard Customization17.16. Knowing What You Can't Customize17.17. Using Actions17.17.1. Using a Default Action17.17.2. Creating a new action17.17.3. Creating a new set17.17.4. What is recordable?17.17.5. Duplicating and deleting an action17.17.6. Starting and stopping recording17.17.7. Inserting a menu item17.17.8. Inserting a stop17.17.9. Action Options17.17.10. Playback Options17.17.11. Inserting a selected path17.17.12. Selecting an object17.17.13. Clearing, resetting, loading, replacing, and saving actions17.18. Summary
IV. Getting Art Out of Illustrator
18. Understanding PostScript and Printing
18.1. Understanding the Benefits of PostScript18.2. Using PostScript18.3. Knowing What to Do Prior to Printing18.3.1. Changing the Artboard size18.3.2. Printing composites18.3.3. Working with gray colors18.4. Using the Separation Setup18.4.1. Understanding the printer's marks and bleeds18.4.2. Changing printer information18.4.3. Changing the page size18.4.4. Changing the orientation18.4.5. Understanding emulsion18.4.6. Changing from positive to negative to positive18.4.7. Working with different colors18.5. Outputting a Color-Separated File18.5.1. Using spot color separations18.5.2. Printing process color separation18.5.3. Choosing numerous colors18.5.4. Combining spot and process color separations18.6. Using Other Applications to Print18.7. Understanding Trapping18.7.1. Understanding misaligned color separations18.7.2. Knowing how much you need to trap18.7.3. Trapping Illustrator files18.7.4. Using complex trapping techniques in Illustrator18.8. Summary
19. Creating Web Graphics
19.1. Designing for the Web versus Designing for Print19.2. Illustrator and the Web — the Basics19.2.1. Understanding Pixel Preview mode19.2.2. Using Web-safe colors19.2.3. Understanding hexadecimal colors19.3. Optimizing and Saving Web Graphics19.3.1. Introducing the Save for Web & Devices dialog box19.3.2. Previewing Web graphics19.3.3. Learning the Web-graphic formats19.3.3.1. Understanding GIF19.3.3.2. Using the JPEG format19.3.3.3. Understanding the PNG format19.3.3.4. Using the WBMP format19.3.4. Choosing output options19.4. Creating Vector Graphics for the Web19.4.1. Using Flash graphics19.4.2. Creating SVG files19.4.2.1. Applying SVG effects19.4.2.2. The SVG Interactivity panel19.5. Understanding Web Slicing19.6. Object-Based Web Slicing19.6.1. Working with slices19.6.2. Understanding CSS layers19.7. Getting Interactive19.7.1. Specifying an image map19.7.2. Creating animations19.8. Using Data-Driven Graphics to Streamline Design Work19.8.1. Understanding variables19.8.2. Using the Variables panel19.8.3. Understanding scripting19.8.4. Scripting versus actions19.8.5. Setting up a data-driven graphics template19.8.6. Taking advantage of data-driven graphics with Adobe GoLive19.9. Summary
20. Illustrator Workflow
20.1. Project Background20.2. Building the Documents20.2.1. Setting up the document20.2.2. Creating the front cover20.2.3. Creating the box sides20.2.4. Creating the box bottom20.2.5. Preparing for production20.3. Summary
A. Shortcuts in Illustrator CS4
A.1. Menu CommandsA.2. Toolbox CommandsA.3. Type CommandsA.4. Color CommandsA.5. Other PanelsA.6. Miscellaneous CommandsA.7. Generic Dialog Box Commands

Content preview from Illustrator® CS4 Bible

Chapter 17. Customizing and Automating Illustrator

IN THIS CHAPTER

Customizing Illustrator
Altering preferences
Creating actions
Customizing actions

You know that you can use Illustrator to do all types of incredible artwork, but you should also see the practical, real-world side of Illustrator where deadlines must be met and there's little or no time for play. This chapter focuses on the real-world applications of Illustrator and how to get the most out of the software.

Who's Responsible for Illustrator?

Under the Help menu (Illustrator menu on a Mac), you find some useful information about the creators of Illustrator and its plug-ins.

About Illustrator displays a dialog box, as shown in Figure 17.1, with the user information and credits for the Illustrator team (click Credits to see the list). The Credits box lists everyone who ever helped with getting Illustrator updated and created and makes you aware of the large number of people who are involved in creating, maintaining, and updating the software.

Figure 17.1. The Adobe Illustrator dialog box tells you information about your copy of Illustrator.

Customization Options

No two illustrators work the same. To accommodate the vast differences among styles, techniques, and habits, Illustrator provides many settings that each user can modify to personalize the software.

Illustrator provides four major ways to change preferences:

You can control ...

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