Adobe Illustrator is used by over one million graphics and Web professionals to create, design, and layout publications for print and the Web. Users rely on its layered work environment and vector-drawing tools to achieve superior results with logos, advertisements, technical, and fine arts illustrations.
Entertaining, up-to-date and comprehensive, Real World Adobe Illustrator 10 is the definitive guide to learning industrial-strength techniques using Adobe Illustrator. Author, Deke McClelland, covers every tool and feature in Illustrator, providing helpful tips and hints throughout. Dozens of step-by-step techniques are provided and thoroughly illustrated. This edition has been fully updated for Illustrator 10, and includes information on using Illustrator to produce Web graphics, with special focus on animated GIF, JPEG, Flash, and LiveMotion formats.
Two of the more prolific authors of how-to books have collaborated on this fun yet comprehensive look at Illustrator, a great application that is even better in version 9. For novice users, the book lays a good foundation before diving into the more advanced tasks. For more experienced users, chapter 1 lists what's new in version 9 and points to the appropriate chapters they'll want to read to get up to speed fast.
The book is divided into four sections: "Starting," "Creating," "Changing," and "Coloring." This is particularly suited to the vector-based nature of Illustrator. As opposed to a pixel-based application like Photoshop, the great advantage of working with art in Illustrator is how easy it is to modify objects.
Following along with instructions in the book is also easy, although you should pay careful attention to details in the screen shots, especially if you skip around rather than read cover to cover. To keep the price of the book down, most of the illustrations are small and black and white (though there is a color insert section). At times the sample artwork is a bit too busy to show the actions discussed. For example, the clouds and sun drawing that shows blending modes is too complex to clearly bring out the differences, even in the color section. And the images shown look more like clip art than professional projects.
Despite all this, the book is reader-friendly. The text size is comfortable (you can have the book by your monitor and not have to squint or lean in to read), and the captions are clear and detailed, so you can look just at the pictures and still learn a lot.
The text is casual and conversational, and the more serious information is set off typographically. This way, when there's not enough time to enjoy the chatty insights into why a feature exists or why you might want to use it, you can just proceed to the step-by-step instructions that make it all happen. --Angelynn Grant
Topics covered:
Comprehensive background and training in Illustrator 9, including:
Tools and the work environment
Creating artwork with the pen tools
Working with points, curves, and type
Creating and customizing graphs and charts
Modifying and transforming objects and applying effects
Integrating raster art and vector art
Integrating Photoshop
Working with fills, blends, brushes, masks, and transparencies
Creating art for the Web, including GIFs, JPEGs, PNGs, and Flash animations (SWF)
Using Actions and Styles to increase productivity
Outputting files to print, including color separations or PDF
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0
Splendid retailer:
It was a pleasure to find the item was exactly as described and was delivered well within their estimate. You won't find a better seller.
Very Helpful for people like me.:
I wanted to learn how to use this program so I can do digital art, and web design. I'm a traditional artist, and I found illustrator to be extremely confusing, especially since I'm not 100% computer literate like the IT snobs. This book helped me with the program and with understanding computers in general. Its as basic as you need it to be, and you can easily skip parts you already know about, since it is divided into very clear and logical sections.
I highly recommend this book... adobe illustrator is a... more info
irritating and often wrong:
Mr.McClelland's writing style is childish and irritating. If you cut out the lame attempts at humor, the book would be half its current length. Get to the point, Deke. People want clear answers to their software questions, not your unfunny jokes and inaccuracies. The author has been taken to task for these problems elsewhere in print (Professional Photoshop). I just don't understand how he gets to keep writing these books. Just a familiar name, I guess. The section on color management in this book is... more info
Real World fexplained for real people:
Deke McClelland has a style of writing that is informative, interesting and humorous. His examples are simplistic for several reasons. Having been an instructor for 14 years, I have discovered if the project is too magnificent or glamorous, the student becomes intimidated and gives up. If you can teach them something simplistic then you have given them knowledge to build upon, besides if you cannot do simplistic forget complicated. As for the comments about his humor, I have discovered that this is an... more info
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