This document provides an overview of key features and functions in Adobe Illustrator CC 2018 for creating vector graphics. It discusses how to set up files and workspaces, use tools like layers, strokes, and transforms, and complete tasks such as blending, perspective drawing, effects, and saving in different file formats like PDF. The document is intended as a tutorial or guide for using Illustrator's vector graphics capabilities.

1. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
New York City College of Technology
Architectural Technology Department
revised by Anna Roymisher & Laurin Moseley
February 23, 2021

2. 2
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation
under Grant Numbers 1141234.
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the
National Science Foundation.

3. HOW TO GET STARTED?
Adobe Illustrator is graphic-driven software used
primarily for creating vector graphics. It is used for
creating logos, graphics, cartoons and layouts. It is
resolution independent. The quality of the graphics
doesn’t change while scaling.
Opening a new file:
• Open up Adobe Illustrator and click Create New
Artboards
• First choose a profile that you are going to work
with (Print, Web etc.)
• Choose a pre-set up temple or create your own
Artboard
• You can choose any height, width, orientation,
and number of the artboards
Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
3

4. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
SETTING UP YOUR WORKSPACE
Layers panel
If layers panel doesn’t show, click Window option
on the top navigation bar. Click the Layers option.
The Layer palette appears.
Properties panel
Panel changes depending on the object that is
selected. Using this panel you can transform and
align the objects, and edit text.
Color panel
Provides a color spectrum, individual color value
sliders (such as a Cyan slider), and color value text
boxes. You can specify fill and stroke colors from
the Color panel.
• To organize your workspace you can go to
Windows and manually select the panels that
you would like to be shown. Also you can go to
Windows>Workspace>Essentials
4
Toolbar
When you start Illustrator, a toolbar appears at the
left of the screen that includes various tools you need
to use while working on your document. The tools
in the toolbar let you perform various tasks, such as
create, select, and manipulate objects and select,
type, paint, draw, sample, edit, and move images.
Stroke panel
The Stroke panel is located on the right side tool bar
and it gives you one basic option for controlling the
weight of your stroke. Access the rest of its hidden
features by clicking on Show Options.

5. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
WHERE TO FIND THE STOKE PANEL?
To find a stroke panel go to Window menu and
select Stroke.
5
Weight controls the thickness of the line
Generate a dashed line.
Use the boxes below to define spacing
between dashes

6. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
WHAT ARE STROKE AND FILL?
How to change the color of an object?
Step 1:
Activate the Selection tool by clicking on it
Step 2:
Select the object by cling on it. You’ll know the
object is selected when the bounding box appears.
Step 3:
Once you have selected an object, double-click on
the fill or outline color selection in the tools menu.
The Color Picker window will appear. Make your
selection
6
Stroke
Fill

7. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
TRANSFORM:
scale, rotate, reflect and shear
Step 1:
Select the object you want to transform
Step 2:
Once the object is selected, right click over it,
this window should appear.
Step 3:
Scroll down to the Transform option and click to
make your selection (Rotate, Reflect, Scale etc.)
7

8. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
LAYER MANAGEMENT
Use your layer palate to help you orgonize
your artboard
To find a layer panel go to Window menu and
select Layers.
Layers and sublayers are helpful when you want
to have a layer category for example Text, but you
still want to differentiate between the different
objects types. The master layer will control all of its
contained sub-layers.
8
Indicates Layer color
Turns Layer visibility off and on
Locks Layer
Creates a new sublayer
Creates a new layer
Deletes the selected layer

9. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
LAYER MANAGEMENT:
rearanging layer order
To change the order of a layers click on the desired
layer and hold down the mouse button. Then
drag and drop the layer in the new desired location
by releasing the mouse.
Note: the order in which layers are organized will
affect whether objects sit at the front or back in your
artboard. Objects in the top layer in the “Layers”
panel will at the front in your artboard.
HOW TO MOVE OBJECTS
from one layer to another
Step 1:
Select the objects to be moved by clicking on it.
Once the object is selected, its current layer will
become highlighted in the “Layers” Panel and a
small square will appear on the right side.
Step 2:
Click on the small square and hold down the mouse
button then, drag and drop (release the mouse
button) on the desired layer.
LAYER OPTIONS
renaming, color, printing etc
To edit the properties of a layer double click over its
name in the “Layers” panel.
The Layer options dialog box will appear.
9

10. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
CLIPPING MASK
Clipping mask is an object whose shape masks
other artwork so that only areas that lie within the
shape are visible.
Step 1:
Select the object(s) you would like to mask first -
these are called the clipping set.
The last shape you select it the shape you would
like to use to mask it - this is called the clipping
path. Only vector objects can be clipping paths.
Step 2:
Once the object and shape are selected right click
and select the “Make Clipping Mask” option.
If you made a mistake or would like the revised
the clipping object you can do so by releasing the
clipping mask. Right click over the clipped object
and select “Release Clipping Mask”.
10

11. BLENDING
Step 1:
Establish the blend parameters by going to the
“Object” menu then “Blend” and last clicking on
“Blend Options...”
Step 2:
Once “Blend Options...” has been selected the
dialog box below will appear. Here select the
type of blend type and the orientation. Once the
selection has been completed click “OK”.
Step 3:
Once the blend options have been established (the
blend will not be visible yet), select the two objects
you would like to blend.
Step 4:
With the objects selected go back to the “Object”
menu select “Blend” and then click on “Make”.
Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
11

12. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
PERSPECTIVE
The perspective tool aids in making proportionally
accurate 3-D drawings.
Step 1:
Select and Activate the perspective grid. Go to the
“View” then scroll down to “Perspective Grid” and
select the grid type you would like to work in by
clicking. An interface similar to the one shown to
the right will appear on your artboard.
Step 2:
Customize your perspective grid. Click on the
“Perspective Grid Tool”.
The controls on your perspective grid will turn on -
edit them as desired.
12

13. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
PERSPECTIVE
Step 3:
Use the perspective selection icon on the top left
and click on the working surface you would like to
activate.
Step 4:
Select the drawing surface (side/face)
of the perspective by using the
“Perspective Selection Tool” located in
the “Tools” panel.
Step 5:
Select object type and start drawing. Illustrator
will distort the shapes into perspective mode
automatically. You can also drag an existing 2-D
drawing into the perspective. See the video in the
link below for more info:
http://tv.adobe.com/watch/illustrator-cs5-feature-
tour/perspective-drawing/
13

14. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
IMAGE TRACE
Live Trace allows you to transform an image into an
editable digital drawing.
Step 1:
Place an image in Illustrator and select it by clicking
on it. The Control menu shown above will appear.
Click on the “Image Trace” option.
Step 2:
Once the “Image Trace” option has been activated
the menu will appear - this menu displays the
different options “Live Trace” offers.
Different “Image Trace” types available
14
Different “Image Trace” types:

15. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
EFFECTS
Similarly to Photoshop Illustrator offers an array
of options for generating effects and filters over
objects and images. You will find all these options
in the “Effects” menu.
15
Original Shape
- no effect
Illustrator Effects - Distort
& Transform - Roughen
Illustrator Effects - Distort
& Transform - Pucker & Bloat
Photoshop Effects - Pixelate - Halftone
Photoshop Effects - Artistic - Underpainting
EXAMPLES

16. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
SAVING AS PDF
Saving as a PDF is convenient because:
1. It will save all of the layer information.
2. It will embed all of the images in your document.
3. It will contain the vector information of your
document and will allow for objects to maintain
their editable capabilities when the file is opened
in Illustrator.
4. It will allow you to open, view and print your file
anywhere where Acrobat reader is available.
To Save as a PDF got to the “File” Menu and select
“Save As...” vailable
This Dialog box should appear. Click the arrow
next to the “Save as Type” option to expand
the window and select the desired file type by
clicking.
16

17. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
SAVING AS DIFFERENT FILE TYPES
Illustrator offers a few options for saving different
file types including AutoCAD. To access these
option go to the “File” menu and the select the
“Export” Option by clicking.
This Dialog box should appear.
Click the arrow next to the “Save as Type” option to
expand the window and select the desired file type
by clicking.
Note:
1. AutoCad files will save all vector information and
keep layers.
2. Photoshop files will save layer information but
turn objects to pixel based.
3. JPEG will flatten and compress the image to a
single pixel base layer (including the background)
4. To save as a PDF use the “Save As” option in
the “File” Menu.
17

18. Adobe Illustrator CC 2018
18