Table of Contents
Start making artwork You can create a variety of primitive shapes with the vector Shape tools in Illustrator. Press and hold the Rectangle tool in the Toolbar and select the Polygon tool. To move a shape, drag its center point. You can also combine shapes to create new, more complex shapes in just a couple of clicks.
How do I create a free form shape in Illustrator?
Draw freeform paths with the Pencil tool Click and hold the Shaper tool ( ). Select the Pencil tool . Position the tool where you want the path to begin, and drag to draw a path. The Pencil tool ( ) displays a small x to indicate drawing a freeform path. As you drag, a dotted line follows the pointer.
How do you turn an object into a shape in Illustrator?
When you open a document saved in an older version of Illustrator, the shapes in that document are not automatically editable as live shapes. To convert a path into a live shape, select it, and then click Object > Shape > Convert to Shape.
How do you create complex shapes in Adobe Illustrator?
Combine shapes with the Shape Builder tool Select the shapes you want to combine. Select the Shape Builder tool in the Toolbar. The Shape Builder tool lets you combine or remove shapes you select. Drag across shapes to combine them.
How do I create an abstract shape in Illustrator?
Create abstract shapes using Illustrator Blend Modes Copy the shape (Ctrl C), paste (Ctrl V) it, and change the color to red. Now select both circles (Hold Shift > Click the object) then go to Object > Blend > Make (Alt+Ctrl B).
Where is the shape tool in Illustrator?
Shape tools are located in the Tools panel. To show other shape tools, click and hold the Rectangle tool in the Tools panel.
Can you freehand draw in Illustrator?
You can draw freehand if you want, or trace over an image yourself: do what feels right. You should see 1 layer: either the image you’re tracing over, or a blank layer. If you’re tracing over something, lock that layer and create a new one, for tracing.
How do I curve a shape in Illustrator?
Curvature Tool Step 1: Select the Curvature Tool (Shift + `). Step 2: Click on anywhere on the path/line and drag to the direction you want a curve. As you click, you add anchor points to the line, so you can make multiple curves.
How do you curve a shape in Illustrator?
Click and drag with the Pen tool to create a curved path. Drag the direction line closer to the anchor point to flatten the curve; drag farther away from the anchor point to increase the curve, as shown in Figure 5-4. When you’re happy with the curve, release the mouse button. Adding curve to the curve.
How do you change an object into a shape?
With a shape selected, choose Effect > Convert To Shape > choose a shape. You can always choose the type of shape in the Shape Options dialog box that appears.
How do I turn a shape into a layer?
Convert an Illustrator layer into a shape layer Select the Illustrator layer to convert. Go to Layer > Create > Create Shapes from Vector Layer. Open and adjust the layer options for the newly created shape layer to take advantage of the unique animation possibilities provided by shape layers.
How do I turn a PNG into a shape in Illustrator?
How do I draw a line shape in Illustrator?
Convert Lines to Shapes in Illustrator Draw your line and give it a stroke of about 40px. 40px Stroked Line. Go to Object > Path > Outline Stroke. Outline Stroke. Go to Effect > Stylize > Round Corners… and set 20px radius.
How do you fill a complex shape in Illustrator?
Press “V” to activate the Selection tool and click the compound path you wish to fill. If you have not created your compound path yet, hold the “Ctrl” key and click multiple shapes. Right-click the selection and choose “Make Compound Path.”.
How do you make trendy shapes in Illustrator?
To achieve cool shapes with sharp or soft edges, draw a simple circle, then apply the Zig Zag effect under Distort & Transform: Create a circle using the Ellipse Tool. Effect → Distort & Transform → Zig Zag (make sure the shape is selected) Move the sliders around until you get your desired effect and configuration.
How do you blend shapes in Illustrator?
Create a blend with the Make Blend command Select the objects you want to blend. Choose Object > Blend > Make. Note: By default, Illustrator calculates the optimum number of steps to create a smooth color transition. To control the number of steps or distance between steps, set blending options.
How do I use the shaper tool in Illustrator?
Using the Shaper tool (drawing shapes) In Illustrator, from the Toolbox, click the Shaper tool (Shift+N). In the document, draw a shape. For example, draw a rough representation of a rectangle, circle, ellipse, or triangle or other polygon. The shape you draw is converted into a crisp geometric shape.
How do I make a curved line in Illustrator?
First use the Selection tool to select the path. Then switch to the Curvature tool and double-click the center point at the bottom to make the corner a smooth curve. To practice, click the straight line segment directly above and drag out a smooth curve. To delete the point, click to select and press Delete.
Is it better to draw in Photoshop or Illustrator?
Photoshop is easier to draw, Illustrator is easier to edit and make changes later on. Illustrator being a vector-based program has a learning curve. You will need to learn how to use the pen tool and other tools for drawing circles and curves, which has different techniques than with a brush tool in Photoshop.
How do I make rounded corners in Illustrator?
Round the corners of objects In the Layers panel, target the items you want to round. Choose Effect > Stylize > Round Corners. To define the curvature of the rounded curve, enter a value in the Radius text box, and click OK.
How do I make an arc in Illustrator?
Draw arcs Click and hold the Line Segment tool ( ). Select the Arc tool . Do one of the following: Position the pointer where you want the arc to begin, and drag to where you want the arc to end. Click where you want the arc to begin.
How do you reshape an image in Illustrator?
The Reshape tool Select just the anchor points on the paths that you want to reshape. Select the Reshape tool (hidden under the Scale tool) and position the cursor over the anchor point you want to modify; click the anchor point. Shift-click more anchor points or path segments to act as selection points.
