Illustrator Tutorials
These Illustrator tutorials are designed for all versions of Illustrator. Although the current version is CS6, we feel that the basic principles are very similar. Also the tutorials are designed for PC as 97% of the population use this platform. MAC users simply substitute Cmd for Ctrl.
Tutorial
Difficulty
Description
What is Illustrator?
An Adobe TV video to explain what Illustrator is all about!
Width Tool
New to CS5, this tool will let you do great things with lines
Create a Stamp
A few simple techniques let you create a 'stamp'.
Symbols
Want to add a lot of leaves to a tree in a hurry? Symbols are the tool for the job.
Pen Tool
The Pen Tool is a vital tool - not just in Illustrator, but Photoshop, InDesign and other programs.
Shiny Button
A few simple steps produce this great little button.
Pathfinder
Learn how to use the Pathfinder palette to merge, subtract, exclude etc.your shapes.
Cog Wheel
A fantastic tutorial which shows many techniques - include Extrude, Bevel, 3D and Lighting Effects
Masks
Opacity, clipping and text masks all explained!
Gradients
Slightly different to Photoshop, get to grips with Illustrators Gradients.
Live Trace
Convert photographs and bitmap images to editable vector paths.
3D Bottle
An advanced tutorial which uses many techniques such as Map Art, 3D Revolve etc.
3D Can
More 3D magic as we show you how to make a tin can.
3D Globe
Here we use the 3D Revolve Tool to create a simple globe.
Wrap text around a sphere
Once you've mastered the previous tutorial, learn how to wrap text around a globe or sphere.
3D Terracotta Pot
An extremely simple and pleasing 3D tutorial.
3D Chess Piece
Carrying on from the Terracotta pot, we create a 3D chess piece.
Map Art
Get to grips with this 3D feature!
Animation
Did you know that it's possible to turn Illustrator files into .swf animations for your Web pages?
Packaging Design
Illustrator is a powerful program to create 'mock ups' of package design.
Perspective Grid Too
New to CS5, this wonderful new tool enables architectural-style drawing techniques.
Export Illustrator to Photoshop
Create your work in Illustrator and then export it to Photoshop to add layer effects, filters etc.