Adobe Illustrator

[DamienM855 413]

Had it on my computer for over a year now, but it looked too complicated for me.

Recently though I found some tutorials on the internet, and was thinking about getting into it, but I was wondering if it would be worth it.

So anyone on here know if it's worth the effort of learning it?

To explain what I mean about "worth it", I'm thinking about going into my local Indians and Chineses and asking if they need any leaflets or even posters designed, and then I'd sell them the design on a disk. I've heard Illustrator is better than photoshop for this kind of stuff, but I wouldn't know.

[lorney 218]

I use illustrator every day and I am still not sure about everything on it. I start all my vector art on it and then PS I do most of my logo slash leaflet stuff on it but it's hard 2 learn as I have been using it 4 nearly 5 years worth a go tho

[DamienM855 413]

I use illustrator every day and I am still not sure about everything on it. I start all my vector art on it and then PS I do most of my logo slash leaflet stuff on it but it's hard 2 learn as I have been using it 4 nearly 5 years worth a go tho

Cheers for the reply lorney.

I'm considering just learning it for fun tbh, but it sounds as though it's really difficult.

[lorney 218]

2 start way u get mixed up with Ps and illustrator it drove me nuts

[TerryButchersDoor 8]

Had it on my computer for over a year now, but it looked too complicated for me.

Recently though I found some tutorials on the internet, and was thinking about getting into it, but I was wondering if it would be worth it.

So anyone on here know if it's worth the effort of learning it?

To explain what I mean about "worth it", I'm thinking about going into my local Indians and Chineses and asking if they need any leaflets or even posters designed, and then I'd sell them the design on a disk. I've heard Illustrator is better than photoshop for this kind of stuff, but I wouldn't know.

Never used Illustrator, but i'm quite familiar with DW, PS and InDesign. Bit of a steep learning curve based on these things but it's like anything - it depends on how much time you've got to spend on it and how you learn. There are loads of good books about - look for the 'Missing Manual' series.

Also try youtube for tutorials on specific points.

[DamienM855 413]

Never used Illustrator, but i'm quite familiar with DW, PS and InDesign. Bit of a steep learning curve based on these things but it's like anything - it depends on how much time you've got to spend on it and how you learn. There are loads of good books about - look for the 'Missing Manual' series.

Also try youtube for tutorials on specific points.

Cheers man, think I'm going to start learning it.

[Broxi 11,685]

what is it used for, what would you do on it that you wouldn't/couldn't on PS?

[lorney 218]

Pen tool is by far better

[Broxi 11,685]

Pen tool is by far better

...

that it?

[lorney 218]

Well I create my vectors using the Ben tool.

[lorney 218]

Also my logos

[Broxi 11,685]

Well I create my vectors using the Ben tool.

must be brilliant then

[Iakona 2,279]

The interfaces of Ps and Ai look very similar.. But they serve completely different purposes. To be serious about graphic design you need to know both..

• Illustrator - Primarily used to create Vector based graphics. Logos, cartoons, drawings, illustrations etc. Not very good for enhancing images/photos... Also use to create print friendly graphics. To get the most out of illustrator you need to be a good drawer*
• Photoshop - Bitmap/Raster images.. Main use is for editing and enhancing images/photos rather than drawing..
• Fireworks - Somewhere in-between Ps and Ai.. Doesn't have any clear advatages and lacks many features though, so your better off just using either PS or Illustrator.
• Indesign - Desktop publishing software, great for creating flyers, posters, catering menus and so on.. Knowledge of typography is vital to get the most out of this piece of software.

*most professional graphic designers who use illustrator draw their designs on paper first.. then scan them onto their computer and redraw over them with the pen tool.

[DamienM855 413]

The interfaces of Ps and Ai look very similar.. But they serve completely different purposes. To be serious about graphic design you need to know both..

• Illustrator - Primarily used to create Vector based graphics. Logos, cartoons, drawings, illustrations etc. Not very good for enhancing images/photos... Also use to create print friendly graphics. To get the most out of illustrator you need to be a good drawer*
• Photoshop - Bitmap/Raster images.. Main use is for editing and enhancing images/photos rather than drawing..
• Fireworks - Somewhere in-between Ps and Ai.. Doesn't have any clear advatages and lacks many features though, so your better off just using either PS or Illustrator.
• Indesign - Desktop publishing software, great for creating flyers, posters, catering menus and so on.. Knowledge of typography is vital to get the most out of this piece of software.

*most professional graphic designers who use illustrator draw their designs on paper first.. then scan them onto their computer and redraw over them with the pen tool.

Either you're a genius or you're best mates with google.

Nah man, cheers for the info.

[lorney 218]

Exactly lakona

[Iakona 2,279]

Heh by no means a genius.. I'm a student at UWS who has spent the last 4 years working with every Adobe product under the sun.(I mainly specialise in Flash and Dreamweaver, but i use illustrator and photoshop quite alot)

Last year for my advanced bitmap module I had to do a 3000 word report on the differences between raster(photoshop) and vector(illustrator). Mind numbing!