ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
TABLET BASED TUTORIALS
TABLET INSTALLATION. Make sure you have installed your Tablet as well as the driver based on the manufacturer's instructions. The 2 things people miss are either the driver hasn't been installed or you haven't restarted your computer after installing the driver. We will be going through my preferred method, preferences, and keyboard shortcuts for Adobe Illustrator.
BREAKDOWN YOUR WORKFLOW. Many of you are new to your Tablet and potentially new to Adobe Illustrator. I am going to recommend breaking down your workflow into multiple steps so you can understand the program before forcing in your tablet. I do see a lot of mistakes when people try to combine too many steps all at once with their tablets, so keep it simple.
PERSONAL PREFERENCE. I would approach the first batch of tutorials with just understanding the basics of applying the Tools in Adobe Illustrator. Once you have an understanding of the application, then I would start to modify the Preferences, Keyboard Shortcuts or Express Keys. Below I have my own Personal Tablet Settings and Advanced Settings for your Tablet.
My Personal Settings
If you are still learning Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, I would keep the settings and options on your Tablet as simple as possible. I have most of my Express Keys turned OFF or DISABLED since I use the program's Keyboard Shortcuts. While you are learning a program, focus on applying the different tools using best practices.
- Firm Pressure Setting
- Disable Tip Double Click (Mouse)
- Brush Size Up and Down ( ] [ )
- Normal Tilt Sensitivity (or Off)
- Use Keyboard Shortcuts
- DISABLE Express Keys
- DISABLE Touch Strip
- DISABLE Pop-Up Menu
Advanced Settings
(Advanced): As you are going through the tutorials on the website and playlists on YouTube, focus on what tools you are using in Adobe Illustrator. The goal of these tutorials is to build up time in the program so you know what tools you like and will operate within your workflow. Write down the tools you use with your tablet and add the most frequently used tools to your Express Keys. This will ONLY apply to those of you who have a Display Tablet (with Express Keys). Non-Display Tablets will use My Settings from above or Disable All Express Keys.
- Default or Right-Click
- Undo ( Control/Command + Z )
- Brush Size Up and Down ( ] [ )
- Modifier ( Shift )
- Pop-Up Menu
- Selection Tool ( V )
- Primary Building Tool ( N or B or Shift B )
- Custom Keyboard Shortcuts ( Edit )
- Primary Editing Tool ( E )
- Modifier ( Shift )
Pencil Tool Settings
I have provided you with 2 Pencil Tool Setting Preferences that you can try out. Double Click on the Pencil Tool to modify the settings within the Options Panel. The first group is for those of you who would like to edit and join paths on the fly as you are drawing. This will allow you to edit and modify the path as you are drawing. Note that the Alt/Option Key will act as the Smooth Tool and you just have to hover your cursor to Join Paths. The second Setting is for those of you who will be adding in Keyboard Shortcuts or using a 2-Step Approach. Most settings are turned Off.
These Settings will Keep your Path Selected after drawing which will allow you to Join Paths and hold Alt/Option to gain access to the Smooth Tool. This process combines drawing and editing which can be slower.
These Settings will allow you to get your lines down extremely quickly. I do recommend an overlap for corners so you can switch over to the Join Tool to join paths. (You can do this before or after applying brushes).
STEP #1: DOWNLOAD RESOURCES. Many of you are jumping over from YouTube looking to download our Illustrator Resource Folders. Download our Brush Libraries or add on Halftones and Textures to save on our Adobe Illustrator Resource Bundle. Download our Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones, and BMP Textures to follow along or use with Your Own Artwork in Adobe Illustrator.
STEP #2: RESOURCE GUIDES. The first step will be to download and extract the Resource Folders. The Folders will come as a Zipped Folder on Teachable. Once you have Downloaded and Extracted the Folders, they are ready to be used in Adobe Illustrator. Follow Along with our Resource Guides, Tutorials, and Challenges to apply and edit Brushes + Halftones + Textures.
STEP #3: FOLLOW ALONG. Tutorials are designed to build up time within the program to apply the Tools and Settings. Tutorials will go through how to apply Resources within a Workflow. Follow along with our 100 Tutorials Playlist on YouTube and 50 Step by Steps on the Website. Tutorials will focus on Building Tools, Applying Brushes, Editing Options, and Basic Coloring Techniques.
DIGITAL DOWNLOADS
200 ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR BRUSHES: Our 200 Brushes are specifically designed for Illustrators and Cartoonists to speed up their workflow. Brushes Libraries allow for Pressure Sensitivity if you are using a Tablet for Inking your Line Variation. Apply with Pen, Pencil, Shapes, or Paintbrush Tools. Adobe Illustrator Brush Libraries include our 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, and 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes. DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: BRUSHES BUNDLE
400 ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR TEXTURES: Our 415 BMP Textures are extremely easy to use even if you are a beginner to Adobe Illustrator. Simply File-Place the Textures over your finished artwork to use with the Transparency Panel for soft overlays. Use BMP Textures along with Opacity Masks for T-Shirt Distressing. BMP Textures include our 145 Cracks, 120 Grunge Distressing, 75 Paper, and 77 Paint Splatter Textures. DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: TEXTURES BUNDLE
600 ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR RESOURCES: Our Adobe Illustrator Resource Bundle includes our Brush Libraries, Comic Halftones. and BMP Textures. Brush Libraries: 70 Cartoon, 100 Comic Strip, or 50 Vintage Mascot Brushes.. Halftones include our 70 Comic Strip Halftone Fills and Halftone Value Scales. Texture Folders: 145 Cracks, 120 Grunge Distressing, 75 Paper, and 77 Paint Splatter Textures. Follow along or use with your own artwork. DIGITAL DOWNLOAD: RESOURCE BUNDLE
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Color Swatches + Live Paint
Open the Swatch Window. On the bottom left-hand corner, you will see the Open Swatch Libraries icon. At the bottom of the drop-down menu, you will see Open Other Library. Go to our resource folder in the Color Palettes folder to Open ASE files. The ASE files have been created to make your life easier while going through the Challenge Series. Once you open the Library- click on the folder icon next to the swatches to move them from the library to the swatches. To use Live Paint and the Live Paint Bucket Tool, Select All. Go under Object - Live Paint - Make. You can now use the Live Paint Bucket Tool to dump color just like the Paint Bucket Tool in Adobe Photoshop.
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