Vector Tips

Photoshop Gradient Map Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Tue, 19 May 2020 16:19:00 +0000

Few weeks ago a member in one of a Telegram group had asked, 'What kind of effect to create as the sample image'. He provide the image of Snowden film as shown below.

So if you look at the man character named Snowden, it used 2 tones (or 3 tones) of color to render the character's face. In Adobe Photoshop, one of the the effect that we can use is Gradient Map.

A post by a member in the Telegram group

Photoshop Gradient Map

We show you how easy to use the Gradient Map effect in Adobe Photoshop, the classic way. Just prepare your subject photo with no background to works on.

Play the Video in HD

Perhaps, the most difficult part in Gradient Map is to get the perfect tone colors.. that's all.. enjoy.

Where Is The Control Panel In Windows 10

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Tue, 24 Sep 2019 16:12:00 +0000

When you upgrade to Windows 10 from Windows 7, you'll notice that the Control Panel was missing. At the same time you'll notice a new Windows Settings (a gear icon) in the Start Menu. Microsoft was hide the Control Panel in Windows 10 (I'm not sure about Windows 8), maybe for some acceptable reasons.

Most of the settings you can get through Windows Settings itself in Windows 10, such as setting up your internet connection, etc. However the Windows Settings in Win10 does not contains all the settings that you might looking for.

This is the reason you may need to access the Control Panel instead. The Windows 10's Control Panel is different than Windows Settings, some task you need the Control Panel to access it, such as when you would like to change your Administrator's account name of your PC.

So here is video tutorial to show you where is the Control Panel in Windows 10. You can then create shortcut for easy access to the Control Panel later.

Where Is The Control Panel In Windows 10

Control Panel in Windows 10

Change Black & White Image To Any Color The Easy Way

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 16:03:00 +0000

Sometimes we need to change black & white image to other color the easy way without need to remove the black first. For example, in this sample image of the classic VW Buggy, the original image is black & white jpeg image, so the idea is to change the VW Buggy from boring black to any other color of your choice, for your poster design let say.

Make It Solid Black Bitmap Image

First of all, you need to change the source to solid Bitmap Image. So open Adobe Photoshop..
→ set the image to Greyscale (to make sure its only black & white)
→ then convert to Bitmap (to make every pixel of the image is solid black pixel - Mono)
→ Save it to .PSD (.TIF, or .BMP also can)

Change The Color In Vector Graphic App - Illustrator

Open Adobe Illustrator and you can start change the color of the VW Buggy van and enjoy your design with it.
→ in Adobe Illustrator, Open the saved file
→ Select it (using Selection Tool)
→ At the Fill Color tool, change the color as you like

Video Tutorial Change Black & White Image To Any Color The Easy Way

Make sure you watch it in HD & please subscribe the Youtube Channel to support us.
enjoy..

Create Box Packaging In Adobe Illustrator CC

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Tue, 16 Jan 2018 07:30:00 +0000

Previously a friend asked, how to create box packaging in Illustrator. So we try to make a very basic way to make a box packaging using Adobe Illustrator CC. Based on a typical rectangular box shape as white box image shown above, here is the video tutorial.

Please set the video to play in HD quality to clearly see the tools and the menu used.

How To Make Round Text In Adobe Illustrator [Video Tutorial]

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Sat, 12 Aug 2017 07:40:00 +0000

This simple tutorial we manage to capture on how to create round text for one of our clients. Sorry for the silent video :D

Watch it in HD quality to follow step by step.. feel free to ask anything related to the tutorial title in the youtube comments or in the comment box below. Remember to subscribe the youtube channel too.. enjoy..

How To Trace Font Text With Illustrator [Video Tutorial]

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Fri, 11 Aug 2017 17:19:00 +0000

Dealing with artwork tracing from jpeg image to vector, such as trace logo from jpeg image is common to graphic or visual designer. The real problem that we, as designer often facing are not the complicated artwork itself, but to find the correct font used in the artwork.

Let say a client request to vectorise a logo (to convert or trace from jpeg image to vector illustration) for their company or product, when the owner of the logo itself don't know the font name used in the logo, the designer have to find it out to use the font as the text in the logo artwork.

After hours wasting time searching for the correct font used with negative result, we may end up with a decision to trace the font text instead.. and here we share some of our font tracing tips to make the complicated job a bit faster & easier.

Hope you find it useful and can apply for your tracing works. If you have question, you can ask via youtube comment or in the comment box below.. enjoy..

Please subscribe the video channel & remember to share ;)

How To Write Arabic Using Adobe Illustrator [Video]

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Wed, 09 Aug 2017 18:20:00 +0000

How to write simple Arabic (or Jawi) words in Adobe Illustrator..? Some 'designers wannabe' asked. Ok here we show very simple way, no additional 3rd party apps, or converter needed.

Firstly you need to know the Arabic (jawi) words that you need to write using Adobe Illustrator. Make sure you know the spelling as we will choose letter by letter using Illustrator Glyph.

enjoy..

Feel free to ask anything related to the video tutorial in our youtube channel's comment section, or in the comment box below. Don't forget to subscribe our channel too.. 😊

Vectorize Image With Illustrator CC

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Sat, 21 May 2016 10:38:00 +0000

Some user asked us how to draw or we usually say it vectorize jpeg image with Adobe Illustrator. Well we try to do some video tutorials here.. sorry for no audio yet. Next time we will try to add audio features on our next video tuts.

Notice that the image (jpeg) is put on bottom Layer, and lock it to avoid it moved.. and we create new Layer 1 on top of it, make sure to Select this Layer 1 to work on it.

Considering you know how to use Pen Toll, you can see our previous post on how to use Pen Tool tutorial..

Unlock Protected PDF File & To Secure Lock PDF File

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 21:55:00 +0000

Sometimes when we download a PDF document, such as an eBook, Tutorial, or any other PDF file, and the time we open the document, it request password to unlock. This means the PDF file was password protected (security enable). It can't be opened until we get the password to open or view it..!! Why they password protect it..? Because the documents are important or valuable, should not be opened and viewed by anyone without the owner's permission. In other words only permitted users are allowed to open, view and read. But, yes we can unlocked the protected PDF files..!!

#OMG.. one man's fun is another's hell..?

What Is PDF File

Before that, PDF file is Portable Document Format - one of the best universal (not really but can say so) format that support mostly any device, pc & gadgets. Yes it's created by Adobe System, but was released as open source. A PDF file usually can be read using Adobe Reader app, which is free to download, also can be read using any 'PDF Reader' apps. So PDF is a file format, not software.

It can be created or 'Save As' → PDF using any supported softwares. When a PDF file being created using software like Ms.Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, etc, using command 'Save as PDF documents', it will save the documents 100% just like it was created using different software.

PDF vs Word

Unlike Ms.Word documents, when we create a Word document, save it in .doc or .docx format (Word format), the .doc file will not guarantee be as similar as the original source when it being open at other pc, because the Word format is depends on the local computer that read the file. If some specific fonts were used in the Word document at origin pc, the other pc which receive to open the file might not know the specific fonts used, as the Word document did not save the fonts together, instead it replace with standard fonts in the (other) local pc. So the receiver did not know what's being changed. Also the documents formatting, margins, tables, graft, might seems different or more worst missing some elements in the other pc without the receiver realised it.

So here comes the PDF format to solve this problems. In fact PDF format can save all elements, fonts, table, graft, graphics (raster & vector), formatting, margin, etc. all contents are 100% just like the documents was created (using Word itself, or any other software). Not just saving in PDF format keep the file small in megabytes (or perhaps kilobytes), also no issue on viewing it on other pc or platforms.

Protected PDF File

One of the very good points in using or saving as PDF format, we can password protect the PDF file, where other format don't have this feature. How to lock a PDF file..? Basically there are 2 types of setting PDF security password:

Password Protect to Open the document
block users from view and read the PDF document
Password Protect to Print and Edit the document
disable users from print and disable users from trying to edit the PDF documents using other software (i.e Word, Illustrator, Photoshop, etc.)

How to Password Protect your PDF document..?

In Adobe Illustrator:
Designers are familiar with this app..

File > Save As > Adobe PDF > Save > follow image ↓

In Adobe Photoshop:
A designers, artist, photographers must have app to work with..
File > Save As > Photoshop PDF > Save > follow image ↓

In Microsoft Office Apps:
(In Microsof Office, you should have Adobe Acrobat Installed)
Follow this guide.

Using Adobe Acrobat Pro
Or we can also use Adobe Acrobat Pro to set those password and better handling the security features. Using Acrobat Pro, there are several types of securities we can set.

So when we password protect our documents, eBooks, this mean the PDF files are secure from unauthorised download / viewing..? Well.. not really..

Unlocked Protected PDF File

This is what we gonna share about..!! How to Unlock Password Protected PDF File..? Can it be unlocked..? Well yes, perhaps some of you already knew, and some may still keep thinking no way a protected PDF file can be unlocked..!!

Yes, even I personally think no it cannot previously.. lol. As a PDF user, probably you ever use some free online services for PDF, like 'convert file to PDF', or 'convert PDF to other file', or 'merge PDF files' and etc. via online. Like it or not there are (many) services that offer free Unlock PDF file.. indeed.

Good News Is Bad News

For PDF users, I mean users who always like to download PDF books, be it tutorials, or anything, when the PDF was password protect we end up with frustration. Of course, we need to buy to read the PDF eBooks, cracking the password is illegal, I must say this ☺. But for some of you who never knew that unlocking password protected PDF is available, might surprise to see there are many sites offer Unlock PDF files for free.

No I'm not promoting any websites or any services.. I'm just sharing knowledge for our own use. Remember one thing, Unlock password protect PDF file of your own forgotten password for the PDF files that belongs to you.. that sounds better ☺

At the same time we knew this good news, the ability to unlock protected PDF files, it's a bad news to PDF creator, eBook writer, publisher, any one who deal with secured PDF files (me too). Then how to avoid users download and illegally unlocked (or cracked) the PDF file's password..? Good thing is we, as (one of) PDF creator, writer, we can still password protect our PDF documents securely, cracked-proof.

Change The Key Lock

For serious PDF creator that wanna password protect your PDF documents, you need to change the password you use. Make a high secure password.

Using Adobe Acrobat Pro there are 2 ways to password protect your PDF file:

Password Security - set the password to protect from Open, Editing & Printing.
Certificate Security - set 'digital ID' which is more secure, using 128 bit & 256 bit AES

From Acrobat, File > Properties > Security (tab) > Security Method: > Password Security

As a normal user, I just choose Password Security as my protected PDF documents. I don't wanna use the Certificate Security, because it seems more complex and if anything happen to my pc, it might hard for me to get the protected files when the 'digital ID' was damage, (I guess). So I remain with password security, easier for me to create the 'formula to remember' ☺

So when you use Password Security..

Choose whether you wanna protect the document from being Open (read) or just choose Restrict Editing & Printing only ↓ (setting shown below just for example)

The key to get high secure password is to use all characters combinations:
small letters + CAPITAL Letters + Numbers 123 + Symbols ={&-

Notice when you set the password in the password box, there is password's strength bar indicator on the right with Weak, Medium & Best. Make sure your password combination is set to Best (green color bar). Then click OK, and Save your PDF file.

Test it

You can try to Open it, if you have set the 'password to Open'.
You also can try to Print it if you have set 'Printing Allowed: None'.
You can also try to open it with other software (i.e. Photoshop, Word) to test it if you have set 'Changes Allowed: None'.

This way, any tools might take million of years to unlock or crack the password. I have test my personal password protected PDF document with high secure password combination, and these are among the results using..

"It would take 1.2 million years to remove the password" - small PDF #failed

Several times I tried to unlock using ↑ PDF Unlocker.. also #failed

And I've been using some more free online PDF unlocker, also end up with error, which normally these tools easy and successful to unlock normal password protect PDF file.

So the conclusion is you can unlock password protect PDF file (if you forgot the file's password). And if you serious in protecting your PDF file, make it hard to unauthorised user or hacker to crack your document's password. There is possibility but make it million of years just to unlock a file..

Last but not least, don't forget your password, nobody will live million of years ☺

Paper Size & Resize Paper Size Guide

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Sun, 04 Jan 2015 21:05:00 +0000

Setting Paper Size is a must to a designer when starting a new document for a new design works, doesn't matter its Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, or any graphic editor you might be using. But, as I still remember when my works are mostly using AutoCAD, setting the Paper Size will be at the end or after completed the drawings on the CAD screen, because the CAD drawing usually will labeled the Scale value according to the drawing size which depends on the paper size to be printed.

Anyway the important to have knowledge in basic paper size and the conversion from one size to another size might save us from printed jobs being rejected just because mistakes like wrong size conversion. Imagine you do artworks for books with 100 or more pages, suddenly 'they' asked you to change the book size.. and you thinking to rescale the whole pages at once by percent. With confident after completion, you send the artworks for printing, and guest what.. the printed book size was wrong.. and you start to feel the disasterrr ☺

Paper Size A & Paper Size B Measurement

Paper Size A

Paper Size B

Paper Size A & B Charts

Size A	Width x Height (mm)	Width x Height (in)
AO	841 x 1189 mm	33.1 x 46.8 in
A1	594 x 841 mm	23.4 x 33.1 in
A2	420 x 594 mm	16.5 x 23.4 in
A3	297 x 420 mm	11.7 x 16.5 in
A4	210 x 297 mm	8.3 x 11.7 in
A5	148 x 210 mm	5.8 x 8.3 in
A6	105 x 148 mm	4.1 x 5.8 in
A7	74 x 105 mm	2.9 x 4.1 in
A8	52 x 74 mm	2.0 x 2.9 in
A9	37 x 52 mm	1.5 x 2.0 in
A10	26 x 37 mm	1.0 x 1.5 in

Size B	Width x Height (mm)	Width x Height (in)
BO	1000 x 1414 mm	39.4 x 55.7 in
B1	707 x 1000 mm	27.8 x 39.4 in
B2	500 x 707 mm	19.7 x 27.8 in
B3	353 x 500 mm	13.9 x 19.7 in
B4	250 x 353 mm	9.8 x 13.9 in
B5	176 x 250 mm	6.9 x 9.8 in
B6	125 x 176 mm	4.9 x 6.9 in
B7	88 x 125 mm	3.5 x 4.9 in
B8	62 x 88 mm	2.4 x 3.5 in
B9	44 x 62 mm	1.7 x 2.4 in
B10	31 x 44 mm	1.2 x 1.7 in

Resize Paper Size Document

Here I would like to share some of important information when dealing with Paper Size and Resize Paper Size. Sometimes when we were asked (by the client) to change the paper size of a documents from previous agreed size, (let say A4 size) to the new confirmed size, (let say A5 size). Then we think that A5 is half the size of A4, so its gonna be 50%. Its that simple..? Basically, yes A5 size is A4 size divided by 1 center fold (in landscape orientation).

Related topic: Setting A4 Pamphlet with 3 panels, 2 folds

But in artworks when the designs are already made or completed, it's not that simply to Scale your whole artworks or documnts (from A4 size to A5 size) to 50% scale.. Nope..!! Not like that, be careful, you might be destroying your design works when you send it to printer.. because the new size if you scale it 50% reduced, you actually make it A6, not A5..!! Reduce A4 to A5 is 71%.. indeed..

Resize Paper Size A By Percent Chart

The above chart shown the conversion size in percent value from bigger size to smaller and vice versa. But you must read the conversion chart above FROM Size Blue (left) TO Size Red (top) to get the correct value, (Not FROM Red to Blue). Example, from A4 size to convert to A5 size is 71% Scale (not 50%). Hope this chart may helps us when scaling our documents or artworks to the right size before we send it for printing.

Resize Paper Size A To Size B Chart

This chart shown the conversion value by percent from A size paper to B size paper. Again you must read the conversion chart above FROM Size A Blue (left) TO Size B Red (top) to get the correct value.

Resize Paper Size B To Size A Chart

This chart shown the conversion value by percent from B size paper to A size paper. Reading the conversion chart above is FROM Size B Blue (left) TO Size A Red (top) to get the correct value.

Related topic: Setting Adobe Illustrator Workspace - Creating New Document

Credit: papersizes.org | manorpress.co.uk

Illustrator CC - Pathfinder

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 02:02:00 +0000

Pathfinder is another important tools in Illustrator especially when we need to create vector logo or illustrations when Pen Tool not really helps. Adobe Illustrator Pathfinder panel consists of 10 tools to manipulate vector objects. To using it, there must be at least 2 objects (or more) selected and overlapped between them to be manipulated with Pathfinder tool.

Open pathfinder panel, Window > Pathfinder (Shift+Ctrl+F9).

Pathfinder Panel

Experimenting Shape Modes & Pathfinders

There are 2 categories in the Pathfinder panel, the Shape Modes and the Pathfinder, we will explain
these 2 different categories later, for not making beginner confused. As beginner, just consider all the
tools are Pathfinder.

1. Draw 2 objects, as shown below, we use basic shapes - a green square at the Back (bottom), and a
red circle at the Front (on top). Or any object shapes you like, just make sure they’re overlapped.

2. Select the objects, and do with all the Pathfinder tools to understand how the effects resulted.

Shape Modes

ORIGINAL SHAPES	PATHFINDERS TOOLS	RESULTS

Unite merges both selected objects following the top object.

Minus Front removes the front (top) object.

Intersect removes other portions and remain the intersect (overlapped) portions.

Exclude removes overlapped portions and remain the other portions. (contra to Intersect)

Note:
Shape Modes - use these 4 tools with Alt+click, where you have the option to Expand it to permanent effect or No Expand (temporary effect):

Pathfinder

ORIGINAL SHAPES	PATHFINDERS TOOLS	RESULTS

Divide breaks the all the overlapped selected shapes into separated pieces.

Trim breaks & removes the overlapped portions underneath of the top shape.

Merge for different color shapes will be similar as Trim effect.

Merge for similar color shapes will be similar as Unite effect, (same color will merge as 1 single shape).

Crop will make the top shape as the masking for any shapes below it,and will removes any portion outside it.

Outline breaks & converts all the shapes into separated strokes.

Minus Back remove shapes below (of the top shape) and remove the overlapped portions.

Another example of Minus Back, a smaller circle placed under this square shape..		..and the results, Minus Back removes the overlapped shapes underneath, a hole of circle.

So these are the basic of Pathfinder that we can apply for in creating artworks. Mastering these tools really helps in making illustration or vector works simpler and faster, no much Pen Tool needed. You will appreciate it if you got it..

Illustrator Tips | Draw Perfect Star in Adobe Illustrator

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:01:00 +0000

As you know Adobe Illustrator provides Star shape tool to create star object, but the problem is the default Star shape looks fat. You need just a simple normal or perfect star. Then here I show you the simple way to draw perfect Star.

In your Adobe Illustrator artboard, go to the Toolbox and hold the Rectangle Tool, a list of shape tools will expand out for you to pick and click on the Star Tool.

Now the Star Tool activated and you're ready to draw Stars, but before that, its good to know that there're 2 ways to create Star:

1. To draw a Star with custom Size & Points:

Click once on artboard, a dialog box will appear with 2 Radius settings and a Points value:

Radius 1 = outer corner (measured from center)
Radius 2 = inner corner
Set the Points value to determine how many corner for the Star

A Star will be created according to your value settings.

2. To draw a Star with normal click & drag:

This is the common way designers created Stars in Illustrator, but pay attention on how to get the perfect Stars.

Click & drag to draw random orientation Star ↓

Press Shift while click & drag to draw ‘perfect standing’ Star ↓

Press Alt while click & drag to draw ‘perfect’ Star shape ↓

Press Shift+Alt while click & drag to draw ‘perfect standing’ of a ‘perfect’ Star shape ↓

Press Ctrl while click & drag to draw a changing shapes of Star,
(it change shape while you drags it) ↓

So now you know how to create Stars for your design works..

Illustrator CC - Type Tools

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Wed, 03 Sep 2014 21:42:00 +0000

As the name given, Illustrator Type Tool is to type text and it also has sets of 7 typing tools with their own functions. Click & hold on Type Tool icon to show another 6 type tools.

Shown here is the Adobe Illustrator CC Type Tool - click & hold the icon to show all the 7 sets of type tools.

We will try to focus more on these top 3 tools:

Type Tool
Area Type Tool
Type on a Path Tool

The other tools (except the new Touch Type Tool) are similar with the top 3 tools, just in vertical orientation.
..

Type Tool

1. Normal text

To type normal text on artboard. Click Type Tool or shortcut T and click on empty area on artboard.

Note:
The text will be free flow as you type, press Enter to break to second line or to make new paragraph.

2. Text Box

To type text in a compound box so that the text will only fixed in the box.
Click Type Tool or (T), click & drag a box with desired size on empty area on artboard, and start typing. This is similar with the next tool - Area Type Tool.
A

← The box made by dragging the Type Tool, and type. Text will only visible with the box size.

Note:
To resize the box, use Selection Tool (black arrow) and pull out one of the box’s side. Do not use Free transform, your text will distorted.

Area Type Tool

To type text in a compound box so that the text will only fixed in the box.
Create a box or any shape, use Area Type Tool and click on the path of the box or the shape.

1.

With Area Type Tool, click on the path of the box or shape area, and you’re ready to type.
..

2.

This small red square mark indicates there are hidden overflow text inside the box. Resize the box area to see full text.
..

3.

Use Selection Tool (black arrow) and drag the middle small square, to resize the box area to show overflow hidden text.
..

Area Type Tool - Options

You can customise Area Type Tool with option settings, like to make the Text Box with 2 or more rows or make it 2 or more columns complete with gutter (spacing) settings.

1. Make an empty box and use Area Type Tool to click on the path of the box.

..

2. Start typing your contents.

..

3. With the text box still selected, double click the Area Type Tool icon to show the Options.

..

4. Add Rows

Rows: 2
Gutter: 0.25 inch

..

5. Add Columns

Columns: 3
Gutter: 0.15 inch
Span: 0.9 inch
(Span is automatically set, when we set the Gutter value)

Type on a Path Tool

To create a Text that follows a path shape.
Draw a curvy path using Pen Tool (P), use Type on a Path Tool & click on the path.

1.

Draw a curved path line and use Type on a Path Tool to click on the path, and start type.
..

2.

The text will follow the path shape. Once done, deactivate it using (click) Selection Tool
Set the text Paragraph to Align center.
..

3.

Using Selection Tool, you will see there are ‘controller handles’ on both sides & in the middle.
These handles can be drag to control the text flow.
..

4.

So the text moves and fill the path nicely. Now use Selection Tool to drag the middle handle controller downward.
..

5.

The text flip downward, this is usefull for Type on a Path of a Circle - Outside text or Inside text.
Or..
You can also use Type on a Path Options. Make sure the type on path is selected, double click on icon to open the setting.

Tick the Flip & Preview, done.
..

6. Text Outside

Same method with Step 4 - 5 above for Type on a Circle Path, use ‘black arrow’ (Selection Tool) to drag middle handle
..

7. Text Inside (Flip)

The text Flipped inside.
..

8. Rotate

Drag the ‘middle handle’ along the path to move the text to the bottom..
Or..
Just Rotate the circle 180º.
..

So these are the most common used for Type tools in Illustrator since the previous versions. For the new Touch Type Tool, I will add in here next time, hopefully.

Illustrator - 11 Transparency & Blending Modes

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 21:46:00 +0000

Adding Transparency

You can add transparency in Illustrator by lowering the opacity of objects so that underlying artwork becomes visible. Go to (top menu) Windows > Transparency to open up your Transparency Window. Draw and stack a few objects and set it to a lower opacity of 50% for the underlying color to show through.

Transparency Panel shows Normal setting & 100% Opacity
(the bottom image should write "ON LIGHT BACKGROUND")

Transparency with 33% Opacity
(the bottom image should write "ON LIGHT BACKGROUND")

Blending Modes for Objects

Blending modes in the Transparency panel, creates some different color effects of overlapping objects. Blending modes let you vary the ways that the colors of objects blend with the colors of underlying objects. Some example of blending modes setting and effects as shown below in 2 different background.

Transparency, Blending mode - Multiply
(the bottom image should write "ON LIGHT BACKGROUND")

Transparency, Blending mode - Screen
(the bottom image should write "ON LIGHT BACKGROUND")

Transparency, Blending mode - Overlay

Transparency, Blending mode - Different

You can experiment all the settings available with difference colors of background, and see the effects.

Button Reflection Using Screen Effect

Screen blending mode is one of useful effect to create reflection effortlessly. Shown below is a popular technique on creating a button reflection using Screen.

1. First draw a circle and apply a Gradient Fill of light to dark orange to it.

2. Draw another circle on top and apply another Gradient Fill from black to white.

3. Finally, select the black to white circle and change the blending mode to Screen. And you’re done!

You can see the black portion in step 2. being 'transparent'.

Illustrator - 10 Gradient Fill

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 22:01:00 +0000

Gradient is a combination of 2 or more color fills in Linear or Radial direction. There are a few ways to apply Gradient fill - via Tool Palette, Gradient Palette or (keyboard) shortcut >.

Apply Gradient via Tool Palette

Select your artwork object, click the Gradient Fill icon as shown above.

Apply Gradient via Gradient Palette

Object is selected, go to Gradient Palette, click the Gradient icon (as shown above).
Note: If the Gradient Palette is not there, open at top menu > Window > Gradient. Or keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+F9 (Win), Cmd+F9 (Mac).

Change Gradient Color

Now your artwork / object Filled with Gradient, with default black & white greyscale (1 color). We need to change this default in order to color it.

Select your object (you want to change)..
1. go to Gradient Palette, see the Gradient Slider, click the Black Slider
2. go to Color Palette, click Option (top right corner) as shown above

3. Change from (default) Greyscale to RGB (or CMYK if you need so)

4. Adjust the color, any color you like (suddenly I remember Pink Floyd song.. lol). Now your object's gradient color changed.

5. Then you need to do the same steps for the second Slider - the white gradient color.

Now you know how to change the Gradient Color of your object. Next we try to adjust the Gradient Style.

Change Gradient Style

You need to experiment yourself with these basic methods on how to modify and control your Gradient Fills on your artworks.

Linear Gradient

The steps we learnt above is Linear type of gradient, and we can adjust the Slider Location to modify the effects.

Drag the Sliders and see your object gradient's effect changed.

Now change the angle direction as shown above.. try it.

Radial Gradient

Simply change the Type to Radial as shown in the image below

See your object fill color now is Radial Gradient.

There are some more extra things we can add to this Gradient Fill, but what we have learn here are just the basic of Gradient in Illustrator. We can add more colors to the gradient's object by adding more than 2 Sliders, such as rainbow colors. We can also make the gradient in different styles than this 2 basic types, but that would be more complicated for newbie.. we can try it later hopefully ☺

Note:
This tutorial is based on Adobe Illustrator CS5. Legacy version (CS4 and below), newer version (CS6 and CC) might be differ than images shown and methods in this post. I'm trying to make it as compatible as possible for any version. Therefore some new & extra features or technics that not available in previous versions might not be shown here to avoid some users confusing.

Illustrator - 09 Fill & Stroke

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 00:53:00 +0000

The difference in vector graphic or vector images compared to pixel type of images or raster images (jpeg, png, bmp, gif, psd, etc.) are the rendering method used by the graphic applications itself such as Adobe Illustrator. Normally any vector graphic editor used Fill & Stroke, to render and shaped the graphic art. There will be no pixel created, rendering done by mathematical value of the software engine. Therefore vector graphics are always high resolution and scalable to any size at the same time remain the byte size.

After you master the Pen Tool and Shape Tools tutorial, you should know the core of vector graphic - Fill & Stroke, because this is the main element that will inspire you on how to create vector illustrations, how to fill colors, gradients and playing with stroke.

Fill

The Color inside the compound of a graphic shape.
2 types of Fill colors, Solid and Gradient Fill.

Fill Color using Swatches

To fill an object, open up your Swatches Palette. Select your object and pick any color from the swatches.

Fill Color using Color Picker

Another way to fill color is by double clicking on the Fill in your Tool Palette. A Color Picker window will appear and you can pick your color.

Stroke

Path or the outline created (using Pen Tool or other drawing tool) that formed the graphic shape.
Stroke is actually the value of path when it applied with color & thickness value.

Adding Stroke & Fill using Control Palette

You can also easily change fill, stroke color and stroke weight by accessing your Control Palette at the top of your artboard.

Stroke Styles - Caps

The Stroke Caps determine the start and end points of a stroke. This applies to open paths only. You can choose between a Butt, Round, or Projecting cap.

Stroke Styles - Miter Limit

The stroke’s Miter Limit specifies the appearance for the joins in a shape. Notice how the joins look after we applied different miter settings to the stars.

These are some very basic knowledge to know about Fill & Stroke. On the next post later we will come back to show more on how to make Fill Gradient for your artworks.

Illustrator - 08 Pencil Tool

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Sat, 11 May 2013 06:23:00 +0000

The less popular drawing tools in vector graphic editor, Adobe Illustrator in this case is the Pencil Tools. Unlike the Pen Tools as we describe previously, the Pencil tool normally used to draw some free hand lines, irregular shapes which precision does not matter. Though it is good to see what and how the Pencil Tools in Adobe Illustrator can do.

Pencil tool - Drawing A Line

Select the Pencil tool from Tool icon, note that your mouse cursor indicates the pencil tool ready to draw. Now draw by click your mouse (or stylus pen if you're using it), hold and drag to make line shape.

As you can see the line created will have anchor points & stroke - the basic of vector drawing. The anchor points are automatically created by the software engine depends on where the curves you make.

Closing Paths with Pencil Tool

To close a path, hold Alt as your Pencil Tool reaches the start point. A circle icon will appear next to the Pencil Tool to indicate path closure.

From a line, close the path (join back to the first point) and it becomes a compound of a shape.

Smoothing Jaggy Lines

Smooth Tool is used when lines you draw with Pencil Tool looks jaggy. To smoothen the parts that are jaggy, select Smooth Tool or simply hold Alt (Option for Mac) to turn the Pencil Tool to Smooth Tool. Then draw over the area of the lines which you would like to smoothen.

Reshaping Path

The Pencil tool is also possible to reshape a path line, make sure your path is selected and use the Pencil Tool to redraw the parts you would like to reshape.

Note that the start and end path (show in dotted line, left image above) must be close to the original path to make it work.

Customizing Pencil Tools

You can turn on the Pencil Tool Preferences by double clicking on the Pencil Tool. You can change the fidelity and smoothness to find a combination that works for you.

Fidelity: Determines how close the path is drawn to your mouse movement. Set it at a higher fidelity if you’re not good at drawing with your mouse.

Smoothness: The higher you set for smoothness, the less anchor point it produces. Thus, producing a smoother line.

Double click on the Pencil Tool to open the Pencil Tool Preference to make some adjustment.

Eraser Tool

Use to delete paths, and most of vector objects. You can experiment the use of Eraser tool with the shape you have been draw.

The Eraser tool works based on selection. It will erase only that object selected. If there is no object selected it will erase any valid object it comes in contact with (object type that is erasable). Objects can be on any layer, or in a group, but they must be unlocked.
Objects that are not erased by the Eraser tool are: Images, Text, symbols, Graphs, and Gradient Meshes. The preview works on all objects, so it looks like these objects will erase, but on mouse up, they are not changed.

Find out more on Eraser tool here.

Illustrator - 07 Pen Tool

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 22:07:00 +0000

There are 2 types of Drawing Tools in most vector graphic applications, the Pen Tool and Pencil Tool. Others include Paintbrush Tool, Line Segment Tool, Eraser Tool and etc. But we will focus on the most important tool in drawing vector graphic - the Pen Tool.

Pen Tool

The most important tool in any Vector Graphic programs is the Pen Tool. Pen Tool creates path (stroke) from point to point.

Drawing Straight Lines

Select the Pen Tool and click once to add the first anchor point. Move your mouse to the next position and click again to create the second point. The two anchor points will be connected together. Continue doing this to create a W shape as shown. To draw a new line, click the Selection Tool (the black arrow tool) and click back the Pen Tool again.

Closing a Path

To close a path, click back the starting point to close the shape.

Notice that when you want to close the path, the cursor (pen tool) will appear a small ‘o’ next to the pen tool - close path indicator.

Drawing a Curved Line

Click and drag to put out the handles to create a smooth anchor point.

Changing Path Directions

Click and drag to create a smooth anchor point. Without releasing your mouse, hold Alt and drag the handle up to change the path direction.

Drawing a Circular Path

Click and drag to create a smooth anchor point. Continue adding points and click back the starting point to close the path.

Adding Anchor Points

With the Pen Tool selected, go near the path where you want to add a new anchor point. + sign will appear next to the pen, click on the path to create a new anchor point.

Removing Anchor Points

To remove point, move your Pen Tool close to an anchor. - sign will appear next to the pen. Click on the anchor point to delete it.

Converting Anchor Points

To convert a smooth anchor point to a sharp anchor point, move your Pen Tool near the anchor and hold Alt and your Pen Tool will change to an arrow shape. Click on the smooth anchor to convert it to an anchor point. Click and drag on the anchor point again to change it back to a smooth anchor point.

Moving Anchor Points

Select the Direct Selection Tool and click and on anchor you want to move. Click and drag to change positions.

Changing Anchor Points

With the Pen Tool, you can quickly change the anchor directions. Hold Ctrl to quickly change the Pen Tool to Direction Selection Tool. Select the anchor point you want to edit. The anchor handle will appear. Now release Ctrl and hold Alt to change it to Convert Anchor Tool. Click and drag the handles to change the direction.

Drawing a Key Shape

After learning the concepts of how the Pen Tool works, lets draw a key shape. For the right angles (90°), hold Shift before adding anchor point to constrain it to 90-degree.

Tips for Using Pen Tool

Use as little anchor points you need to create your shape. Less anchor points make smooth curve
Add anchor points where there is a change in direction of the line/curve
Use shortcuts like Alt or Ctrl to quickly swap to other tools to edit your path
Hold shift to lock your path while adding new anchor point for 45° or 90° increments

Illustrator - 06 Transformation

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 04:43:00 +0000

Transform Tools in this tutorials covering the very basic functions as to show how to use the Scale, Rotate, Reflect and Shear. These are most common tools in any vector graphic applications. There are some more advance tools in Transformation but we should explore it later once we master the basic transform.

Scale

To Free Scale objects

Select object, click Free Transform tool (shortcut E), cursor will change, drag corner to freely scale the size.

Tips: Hold Shift to scale consistently (proportionate)

To Scale objects by Value %

Select objects, double click Scale tool (dialog box appear), set the % value.
or..
Select objects, (Menu) Object > Transform > Scale (dialog box appear), set % value.

Rotate

To Free Rotate objects

Select object, click Free Transform tool (shortcut E), cursor will change, click anywhere outside of the object to freely rotate.

Hold Shift to rotate consistently 45° or 90° to the left or right.

To Rotate objects by Value °

Select objects, double click Rotate tool (dialog box appear), set the ° value.
or..
Select objects, (Menu) Object > Transform > Rotate (dialog box appear), set the ° value.

Move & Duplicate

To Move objects by Coordinate Value

We can accurately move an object from one position to another position instead of dragging an object. Very useful when precision does matter.

Select object, double click Selection tool (dialog box appear), set Hor. & Ver. value, click OK.
or..
Select objects, (Menu) Object > Transform > Move, set the H&V value, OK.
or..
Select object, press Enter on your keyboard, set H&V value, OK. ← i prefer this method ☺

To Duplicate (Copy) objects by Coordinate Value

Note that there is a Copy button in the dialog box, simply click the Copy button to copy (duplicate) the object and the object will be paste onto the new position as the Horizontal & Vertical value set.

To duplicates more from the second copied objects, simply press keyboard Ctrl + D and repeat the action as many as you want.

Illustrator will record your last action - the Copy process with Hor. & Ver. value, so to repeat the last action use Ctrl + D (or in the Menu > Object > Transform > Transform Again').

Reflect

Select object, double click Reflect tool (dialog box appear), set the axis value.
or..
Select object, (Menu) Object > Transform > Reflect (dialog box appear), set axis value.

Shear

To Free Shear object

Select object, click Shear tool start shear by click & drag outside area of the object, the object will follow mouse direction.

Use your cursor direction where you want the Shear direction to follow.

To Shear object by Angle

Select object, double click Shear tool (dialog box appear), set the Shear Angle.
or..
Select object, (Menu) Object > Transform > Reflect (dialog box appear), set the Shear Angle.

Choose the Axis - Hor., Ver. or by Angle °.

Conclusion

These are most common use of transforming objects in Adobe Illustrator that user will use. Practice always made perfect. You will learn more tips & tricks in your own learning.. keep on sharing..

Illustrator - 05 Shape Tools

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 18:48:00 +0000

There are some basic shapes available in the Toolbox as shown in the image below. They call it Shape Tools. When you go to the Toolbox and hold the Rectangle Tool, a list of shape tools will expand out for you to pick. We will start with the default Rectangle Tool (the shortcut is M).

The name of the tools show the functions, so try do create some shapes; rectangle, ellipse,etc.

Before we go more on Shape Tools, we need to understand the basic of Vector Graphic that render the 'Shape' - the Fill & Stroke

Understanding Fill & Stroke

Fill - color inside the compound shape
Stroke - color of the outline shape

Draw a Rectangle as shown below. By default, it has a white fill and black stroke. (Stroke is the border of the shape)

Fill & Stroke color tool

As the image shown here, the Stroke Tool indicated by the square hollowed box (shown here with black color). Fill Tool indicated by solid square (shown here with white color).

As the image shown here, the Stroke is active, as it is on top of the Fill. To change the Fill color, click the Fill Tool first, to make it on top (active).
And the small doublehead arrow is to swap the colors between Fill & Stroke.

Changing Fill Color

Let’s start changing the Fill color for the rectangle. Double click the Fill from the Tool Palette. It will pop up the Color Picker. Drag the (small triangle) slider to blue and select a deep blue color, click Ok.

Removing Stroke

Click the Stroke in the Tool Palette once to swap it above Fill. Click the None icon boxed up in red to set the Stroke to None. The black stroke will disappear.

Now after we understand the basic element of vector graphic, that Shapes are rendered using Fill & Stroke.. now lets try more on Shape Tools ↓

Constrain Proportions

To draw a perfect square, we will select the Rectangle Tool. Hold Shift (keyboard) & drag (mouse) to draw a square. Same for the circle, we will select the Ellipse Tool and hold Shift & drag your mouse to get perfect circle.

Resizing Shapes

To resize shapes, select the shape using the Selection Tool and a bounding box will appear. Drag the corner anchor point to resize it. To constrain to proportion while resizing, hold Shift as you resize. Also hold Alt/Option if your want to resize from the same position.

Rotating Shapes

Select the shape with the Selection Tool and a bounding box will appear. Move your cursor near the anchor corner and a rotation icon will icon, click and turn it to rotate the square. To snap at 45 degrees increment, hold Shift and turn.

More Options for Shape Tools

Select the Star Tool. Click once on the artboard and an option will pop up. Enter the values as shown and click Ok. It will draw a star burst shape. This method can be used to create more options for star shape.

Conclusion

All of these basic shapes available in Adobe Illustrator are just basic symmetrical objects / shapes which were constructed with Fill & Stroke that shaped the object itself. This Fill & Stroke is the key in creating ‘vector image’ or ‘vector graphic’ (the shape / object itself). We will learn more on Fill & Stroke later as well as creating different objects and more complex shapes. This process will include the using of most popular drawing tools for vector graphic software - the Pen Tool.

Illustrator - 04 Selection Tools

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:43:00 +0000

SELECTION TOOLS

There are 3 types of selection tool in Adobe Illustrator used to select objects or shapes. I prefer to name it as follows:

Black Arrow

Selection Tool (V)

Select the whole object / shape
Select grouped objects
Select object(s) to re-size / rescale the object(s)

White Arrow

Direct Selection Tool (A)

Select 'path' segment of an object / shape
Select 'anchor point' of an object

White Arrow +

Group Selection Tool

Select the whole compound of an object / shape
double click will Select grouped objects

Note:
I prefer to ignore the name given by adobe illustrator, it sounds confusing users.. just mention Black Arrow, White Arrow & White Arrow + (plus) instead..

How To Use It

First we need to get familiar where these Selection Tools in Adobe Illustrator work space. As you can see (in your Adobe Illustrator) there are only 2 Arrow icons shown; the Black Arrow & White Arrow shown.. and there is a small triangular dot at White Arrow tool icon to indicates there is another tool hidden - simply click & hold for 2 seconds to show another White Arrow + tool. So we get 3 Selection Tools..

Black Arrow (V) to select the whole objects or the grouped objects.

Use White Arrow (A) to select an anchor point or a path segment of an object, used to edit the anchor point of the object.

White Arrow with + to select a whole compound of an object. What's the different (compared to Black Arrow) is, if the objects was grouped, it will only selects one compound of a shape.
Tips: To select the whole group, you don't need to change to Black Arrow, simply double click one of the object and it will select the whole group just like the Black Arrow.

Illustrator - 03 Zoom & Hand Tool

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:22:00 +0000

ZOOM & HAND

Zoom Tool (Z)

Select in toolbox for zoom in & zoom out.

for zoom in :

click on image, or
click (hold) & drag over the image

fast shortcut for zoom in without deselecting other tools, (with other tool active), keyboard Ctrl + Spacebar hold & zoom in then release keyboard.

for zoom out :

click on image
fast shortcut for zoom out without deselecting other tools, (with other tool active), keyboard Ctrl + Alt + Spacebar hold & zoom out then release keyboard.
zoom 100% = double click or keyboard Ctrl+1
zoom all = double click or keyboard Ctrl+0

Hand Tool (H)

To scroll the artboard around without using vertical / horizontal scrollbar.

Toolbar - select
Click on any area & drag to move the document around.
Fast shortcut for hand without deselecting other tools, (with other tool active), keyboard Spacebar (hold), cursor will change to , click (mouse) & drag document.

← Previous - 02 Getting Started | Next - Drawing Basic Shape →

Illustrator - 02 Getting Started

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:26:00 +0000

This tutorial, we will look at the Illustrator Work Space, the Tools and Palette that commonly used in working with Illustrator. So first, create a new document, study the environment - the Tools on the left, Palette on the right and Control Panel on the top. But most important are the Tools (left) & Palette (right).

WORKSPACE - TOOLS, PALETTE

Create New Document

Go to File > New Document to create your first document. Type in a Name for the document and click Advanced to select RGB for Color Mode as we will be working for the screen. Click Ok after that.

Note :

CMYK Color Mode - for printing job purpose (i.e. brochure, letterhead, name card, etc.)
RGB Color Mode - for jobs to be displayed on screen (i.e. for website design, video editing)
Size document (A4 as shown above) will be the artboard size for the new document
Set the Units – points / inches / mm / cm, etc.
Orientation either portrait or landscape
Size, Units & Orientation can be changed at anytime in the middle of your works, go to File > Document Setup

Illustrator Workspace

You’re advised to familiarize the Illustrator Workspace, there are 4 main features of the workspace besides the canvas itself.

Toolbox - the tools that we will used
Menu - the standard features for any applications
Control Panel - display the properties of selected tools & artworks
Palette - Holds the properties of the artworks - to modified, change colors, stroke, etc.

Toolbox

This is the handy toolbox which we will use most often. By default, it comes in one single column (collapse) as shown in the screenshot above. To switch it back to the old style 2 columns toolbox, simply click the top left mini arrow >> to toggle it into 2 columns. Some of the tools like Rectangle have more tools hidden. To expand, just click and hold the icon to reveal all the similar tools under that group.

Expandable Tools indicated with small arrow

Click & hold the selected tool to expand the extra tools

Toolbox with 2 columns view, the functions & the shortcuts indicated in bracket.

Floating Palette

This is the floating palette which contains properties for our artworks. It is commonly used for changing colors, stroke width, artworks size, effect, etc.

Next - 03 Zoom & Hand Tool →

SVG Editor

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Tue, 22 May 2012 16:16:00 +0000

SVG or Scalable Vector Graphic is the only vector graphic or vector image that has the ability to appears on screen, online. Unlike other vector graphics format sucah as Ai, CDR, EPS that unable to be appear live onscreen in the internet, just a link instead. Except SWF or flash format, but the different is SVG is 'static vector image' and SWF (flash) format are normally video or animation and the good point is SVG image that shown online are downloadable. Here is one of SVG editor project by a SVG-edit group using free Google code service, an open source for developer.

This open source SVG-edit project was driven by javascript (JS), HTML5, CSS and SVG.. yes sounds so internet because this is an online version of SVG-edit. just make sure you're using modern web browser to launch the site. You can find the download version via their Project Home. Since I'm an Adobe Illustrator user, I don't use it for my vector edit, so I prefer you try it yourself. Still it's a good program for fast and light editing for web vector.

Let see the features it offered:

Free-hand drawing
Lines, Polylines
Rectangles / Squares
Ellipses / Circles
Polygons / Curved Paths
Stylable Text
Raster Images
Select / Move / Resize / Rotate
Undo / Redo
Color / Gradient picker
Group / Ungroup
Align
Zoom
Layers
Convert Shapes to Path
Wireframe Mode
Save drawing to SVG
Linear Gradient Picking
View and Edit SVG Source
UI Localization
Resizable Canvas
Change Background
Draggable Dialogs
Resizable UI (SVG icons)
Open Local Files
Import SVG into Drawing
Connector lines and Arrows
Plugin Architecture
Smoother freehand paths
Editing outside the canvas
Increased support for SVG elements
Add / Edit Sub-paths
Multiple path segment selection
Support for foreign markup (MathML)
Radial Gradients
Configurable Options
Eye-dropper tool
Stroke linejoin and linecap
Export to PNG

Well not bad, though the program interface seems very basic. I intended to compare it with some of other free Vector Editor available online. Perhaps next time I'll try to make some basic comparison in features, let me collect some other free vector editor first. Anyway go to their Project Home SVG-edit and for Short Introduction to learn more.

credit: ehmdunque.altervista.org

Ai vs EPS

noreply@blogger.com (vectorise) — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Have you ever wonder which vector file format is the good option to save for public sharing..?

As we may see on some websites that giving free vector files, they provide a few types of format for the vector file to download. The options just for different software users normally Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, PDF, EPS, etc. Here I show the comparison between saving as Ai vs EPS file formats as image shown below. Why Ai & EPS.. well I'm talking about saving vector files using Adobe Illustrator.. and which format is better, Ai or EPS. CorelDraw don't have to worry they normally accept Ai file, but not vice versa.

Look at the image above, the first file in the image shown is Ai file and the 3 EPS was saved differently (using Illustrator CS5) with EPS - CS3, CS5 & v.10 settings. They're not much differ among the 3 EPS files with different settings when saving it. But saving the same file as Ai format reduced the file to much smaller in size. Therefore I always prefer to sharing vector files in Ai file format.

Why EPS file format is bigger than Ai..?

In term of file size, I can't really tell specifically, perhaps EPS file format saved more information technically, due to widely supported vector file format to be read or open by most graphic software. So it takes more bytes with EPS, (I guess). But in the other hand, Ai file format is specific and it doesn't need 'extra bytes' (my assumption, lol).

Why Ai file format is better..?

These are the points I want to share about the advantages Ai vector file format:

Ai is smaller in size.
Ai is supported by many popular graphic software, paid version & free open source.
Ai is the industry standard in design & printing (any design firm will have the application).

Tips to make the Ai file smaller.

Ok here is the saving setting normally I used to keep Ai files small in bytes, near 10 times smaller..!!

Whenever you want to save vector file in Adobe Illustrator, make sure the save option setting:

File > Save As > Save > Illustrator Options (as image shown above)
> Disable the 'Embed ICC Profiles' > Ok

This will reduce your file size significantly, compared to 'Embed ICC Profile' enable, when saving.
For normal use, enable 'Embed ICC Profiles' just wasting the file capacity, imagine you deal with 100mb of Ai artworks, you might reduce +/- 90mb of the size probably. (Unless you really deal with ICC Profiles for the jobs).

Choosing legacy version when saving the file for sharing to public or to output for printing is recommended. These will make sure no version conflict when the other machine using different Illustrator version.

Am I missing something, share some tips that you know with us ;)