Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is vector-based graphics software used to create logos, icons, illustrations , drawing and artworks.  Al graphics that are created using illustrator is vector graphic. Which means the graphic can be scaled up and down to infinity size or multiple times without loosing the quality.


Art Board

The term Art board refers to the working place or document on which a graphic can be created. It is the same document which is called "Canvas" in Photoshop.

Shape Tools 

Shape tools are used to create geometric shapes.

  • Rectangle Tool - Creates a rectangle or Square (M)
  • Rounded Rectangle Tool - Creates a rectangle or Square that has round corners.
  • Ellipse Tool - Creates an oval or Circle (L)
  • Polygon Tool - Creates a polygon shapes such as Triangle , Pentagon, Hexagon
  • Star Tool -Creates a Star
  • Flare Tool - Creates sharp burst light effect


Selection Tool

Selection tool is used to

  • Select an object
  • Scale Up or Down an Object (Resize / Transform)
  • Rotate an Object
  • Make Copies of an object


Methods of Making Copies.

Short Cut (Ctrl + C)

  1. Select and Object
  2. Hold Ctrl  and press C to copy
  3. Hold Ctrl and press V to paste
  4. Ctrl + F will paste object on Front. 
  5. Ctrl + B  will paste the object on back


Holding Alt

  1. Select and Object
  2. Hold Alt & Hold Click on the object and Drag Mouse
  3. Release Mouse Left Click
  4. Ctrl + D can be used to make further duplicated / copies of the object..


Objects Arrangement

Objects arrangement refers to the arrangement like which object should be in front or which object should be back.

  1. Bring to Front - (Ctrl + Shift + ] ) - This is option will bring the object in front of all other objects.
  2. Bring Forward - (Ctrl  + ] ) - This is option will bring the object in front of other object step by step.
  3. Send to  Back - (Ctrl  Shift + [ ) - This is option will send the object back of all other objects.
  4. Send Backward - (Ctrl  + [ ) - This is option will send the object back of other object step by step.


Methods of Creating Group

A Group can be defined as a container which can hold multiple objects in it and separate them from other objects on the artbaord. 

Short Cut (Ctrl + G)

  1. Select the objects which you want to be grouped
  2. Hold Ctrl  and press G to Group
If you want to ungroup the group use Ctrl + Shift + G

Isolation Mode

Isolation mode provides the capability to isolate an individual or multiple objects on the artbaord from rest of other objects on the artboard, so that adjustments like color changing, transformation and so on.. can be done.

Method of Activating / Entering Isolation Mode

  1. Select the Selection Tool
  2. Double Click on any object which needs to be isolated.

Method of Deactivating / Exiting Isolation Mode

  1. Select the Selection Tool
  2. Double Click any where on the white area of the artboard 


Direct Selection Tool

Direct Selection tool is used to

  • Select the Path of a Shape
  • Anchor Points of Shape
  • Curve the Corners of an object ( This feature is available in latest version) 


Magic Wand Tool

Magic Wand tool is used to select the objects which have

  • Same Or Similar color
  • Same Stroke Color
  • Same Stroke Weight
  • Same Opacity
  • Same Blending Options

Lasso Tool

Magic Wand tool is used to make free hand selection of the objects or the parts of objects. This tool can be used when objects are to be selected randomly.