Learning Astute Graphics for Illustrator

Course details

The Astute Graphics plugins can help you be more precise, efficient, and creative with Adobe Illustrator. In this course, learn how these 18 plugins can revolutionize the way you draw and edit artwork in Illustrator. Instructor Mike Rankin explains what each plugin does—highlighting workflows and features not available in the native Illustrator tools. Mike covers drawing and editing with VectorScribe and InkScribe, aligning and arranging objects with ColliderScribe, creating beautiful symmetry with MirrorMe, and adjusting color and applying effects with Phantasm and Stylism. He also goes over tools in DynamicSketch and WidthScribe that make drawing with a tablet even more natural and intuitive. Plus, learn how to use time-saving features like Vector First Aid and Find/Replace to find and correct issues with your artwork, and make sure you never lost your changes with Autosavior.

Topics include:
- Working with dynamic corners and shapes
- Moving points along a path
- Drawing circles and arcs
- Connecting and straightening paths
- Using collision spacing
- Selecting with alternating and random modes
- Mirroring artwork and text
- Adjusting colors with filters and effects
- Drawing with InkScribe
- Drawing and modifying paths with DynamicSketch
- Using WidthScribe
- Adding drop shadows, feathering, and other effects
- Creating stipple effects
- Applying and editing texture effects
- Cleaning up points, paths, and text
- Finding and replacing objects, colors, and more
- Cropping and trimming raster images
- Remapping color with InkQuest
- Moving objects with DirectPrefs

Concepts

Introduction

Time-saving plugins for Adobe Illustrator

Use VectorScribe

Overview
Work with dynamic corners
Work with dynamic shapes
Edit paths with PathScribe
Move points along a path
Close paths
Use the Extend Path Tool
Use the Smart Removal Brush
Use the Dynamic Measure tool

Use Autosaviour

Configure autosaves and backups
Use Stipplism
Understanding stippling
Use the stipple controls
Stipple vectors

Stipple text

Stipple photos
Create stipple effects with symbols
Understanding Symbol Stipple settings
Use symbol registration points
Use Texturino
Texturino overview
Using the Opacity Brush

Apply and edit texture effects

Combine multiple textures
Import textures
Applying textures with graphic styles

Create effects with Knockout mode

Using the Texture Manager
Using the Texture Brush tool
Convert embedded images to textures
Distort textures

Package textures for collaboration

Use VectorFirstAid
VectorFirstAid overview
Remove redundant points

Fix broken paths

Cleaning up text
Fix missing and outlined text
Using checkup profiles
Using custom checkups
Using FindReplace
Perform a basic search
Combine search attributes

Use replace options

Using FindReplace with groups
Fix prepress problems with FindReplace
Using Rasterino
Crop and trim raster images
Edit raster images
Using InkQuest
Swap color channels

Using quick separations

View overprinting
Using DirectPrefs
Using DirectPrefs
Use SubScribe
Draw circles and arcs
Draw tangents and perpendiculars
Using the orient tools
Connect and straighten paths

Using the Lock_UnLock tool

Use ColliderScribe

Use the Snap to Collisions tool

Use the Rotate at Collisions tool
Use the collision spacing
Super Marquee tool basics
Selecting with alternating modes
Selecting with random modes
Use Space Fill
Use MirrorMe
Mirror artwork

Draw with symmetry

Mirror text and images
Use Phantasm
Adjust colors with filters and effects
Create vector halftones
Apply effects to photos
Create duotone effects
Using InkScribe
Draw with InkScribe
Edit path segments with InkScribe
Add, remove, and change points with InkScribe
Use DynamicSketch
Draw and modify paths

Sketch with variable width strokes

Sketch with brushes
Use pulled cursor control
Use Repeat Sketch
Use Intellingent Join
Use Gesture Trim
Use WidthScribe
Use the Width Brush tool

Use the Width Gradient tool

Use the Width Selector tool
Use advanced controls for width markers
Use the Width Stamp panel
Use Width Stamp presets
Use custom contours

Use Stylism

Overview
Work with drop shadows

Work with feathering

Work with Inner Glow and Outer Glow
Work with Transform effects
Work with Free Distort effects

Work with Offset Path

Work with Gaussian Blur

Conclusion

Next steps