The #1 graphic app that scares me most. Never needed so much research time to find some basic functions like round corner rectangles and duplicating graphical objects. Time to start a personal FAQ based on my experiences and Andrés helpful advices (thx):
Duplicating objects
Simple way: In Selection Tool Mode(V) drag the object holding ALT to make a duplicate at another location. Use STRG + D to duplicate multiple with the same transposition. No other transformations like rotation possible.
Complex way: Use effects -> distort & transform -> transform to get more duplication options. Problem come up when scaling within a grouped object since only an effect is applied to an object and no new objects were created. Use objekt -> transform look (only know the german “Aussehen umwandeln”) to transform to a path.
Defining roundness of round rectangle corners
When selecting the round rectangle tool there is no menu item to change the roundess of the corners. This stupid parameter only gets visible when klicking once on the canvas ( NOT creating an object by draging, just click). I found not solutions of how to change roundess when the object is already created. Visio has this functionality
Using Visio Icons in Illustrator
Since Visio 2007 its possible to export Visio vector graphics to indesign by just copy paste with STRG+C/STRG+V. Very handsome feature since its possible to change color and everything else in illustrator
Change Roundness of discrete poly line (e.g for a faked line chart )
Draw a new poly line with several edges. Use Effect -> Stylize -> Round Corners do define the radius of the corners. For me Smoothed/interpolated lines often look in a diagram.
Some more Illustrator tricks and tutorials i found helpful http://del.icio.us/_yak/illustrator
Illustrator Menus and Explanations
http://www.vektorgarten.de/illu-menus.html
Arrows Endings for Objects
Filter->Stilisierungsfilter>Pfeilspitzen
Cool Technical Looking Objects with Wireframe and 3d Extrusion
Convert Text / 3d Object to Path
Object > Appearence> Transform (Umwandlen) and additonally form breaking down a complex object in its parts use Object> Transform for oolygon contures and poly areas.
Connecting of path to contour (Pfade schließen um Kontur komplexer Pfade zu bekommen
1.) Strg +8 to connect two or more closed path
2.) Convert Path with Object -> Transform Appearance to be able to get contour
Extract Bitmap Silhouette/Contour from Pixel Image to Illustrator Spline
Method A: In Photoshop make auto selection and save as working path (Create working path from selection). Then use File-> Export -> Export Path to generate an illustrator .ai file. See here
Method B:
Import Image in Illustrator, select it, in upper toolbar use LiveTrace/”Interaktiv abpausen” (ger.) with many settings like color etc. and also in toolbar Convert to Path/”Umwandeln” (ger.)
Changing Ruler Origin
SVG Export for human readable svg files
Use SVG Tiny export option to generate a human readable SVG File with basic 2d objects.
I use this technique to generate Floor plans using illustrator and later on parsing SVG xml files and displaying them in third party APIs/applications like Apache Batik Framework.
Drawing Waves and Signals in illustrator
See this nice tutorial http://robcubbon.com/how-to-design-sound-waves-in-illustrator
Blending and Morphing objects in Illustrator
http://www.adobe.com/designcenter/illustrator/articles/illcs2at_blendtrans.html
Prototyping logos using shapes from Images in Illustrator
http://robcubbon.com/creating-icons-and-illustrations-using-custom-brushes-in-illustrator
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