The perspective grid tool can be a bit intimidating at first, but it can also be incredibly powerful. This tutorial shows how to use a perspective grid to create perspective text in Adobe Illustrator.
Glyphs Panel – Adobe Illustrator
Opening the Glyphs panel allows you to see all the typographic options such as small caps, flourishes, and more. Learn how to find alternative special characters to amp up your logo design or typography in the video below.
Note: not all typefaces support these OpenType features. The example below contains a wide library of alternates and ligatures.
Blend Tool in Illustrator
Learn how to use the replace spine method and the blend tool in Illustrator to create stunning 3D typography with gradient colors.
One Minute Tutorial! Pathfinder Demo
The pathfinder tool can be useful in uniting and editing simple objects into more complex designs. This demo shows how to make famous logos using only pathfinder.
30 Second Tutorial! Wrapping Text Around Irregular Shapes
Learn how to wrap text around an irregular silhouette in Adobe Illustrator in this 30 second TikTok.
Isometric Art in Illustrator
Click here to install the Nimbling SSR30 extension.
This video shows how to create isometric shapes with both the 3D Extrude & Bevel tool.
What is LinkedIn Learning/Lynda?
LinkedIn Learning/Lynda is a site that offers video courses taught by experts about business skills, software skills, and for what you are probably here for… creative skills!
As Simmons students, we have access to the site which is a great resource for learning and freshening up on skills. There are courses on Adobe programs, specific skills and techniques, networking, productivity, industry standards, the list goes on.
In order to access the site, head over to lynda.com (LinkedIn Learning) and follow the “sign-in” link. From there, choose the option “sign in with your organization portal” using your Simmons login and password.
Voila!
The full courses can be rather long, but they are broken up into digestible sections that are a few minutes long.
Take this Illustrator 2021 Essential Training course for example.
The full course is 5.5 hours…
But the sections are only a few minutes each.
If you are looking to learn something specific, you can browse through the contents of the course and jump to where you need to be.
Per usual, the Lab Agents are always here to help you out and walk you through any issues you may be having. Happy learning!
Sharing Adobe Illustrator Files
Just like in Adobe InDesign, packaging your Illustrator files is just as important if you have any linked images and fonts being used on an artboard.
Keyboard command:
| (Windows) Alt + Shift + Ctrl + P | (MacOS) Option + Shift + Command + P |
Similar video and thumbnail credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aetEn5jaZQo
Keyboard Shortcuts for Adobe Programs
Check out a compiled list of the Default Keyboard Shortcuts for Audition, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Premiere Rush, and Spark.
What are keyboard shortcuts?
A keyboard shortcut is a key or combination of keys providing quick access to a particular function within a computer program.
Why do people use keyboard shortcuts?
Keyboard shortcuts help you get things done faster and easier! Essentially, it’s doing actions you may normally do with your mouse with your keyboard instead… (think pressing the space bar when pausing/playing a Netflix show.)
Each Adobe program allows for you to customize your keyboard shortcuts, but for now, here are guides for default shortcuts for various Adobe Programs you may find yourself using!
Paper Cutout Effect in Illustrator
Create a 3D paper cutout effect in Illustrator by following either of these two tutorials!
