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

0. Introduction

01 - Time-saving plugins for Adobe Illustrator

1. Use VectorScribe

02 - Overview
03 - Work with dynamic corners
04 - Work with dynamic shapes
05 - Edit paths with PathScribe
06 - Move points along a path
07 - Close paths
08 - Use the Extend Path Tool
09 - Use the Smart Removal Brush
10 - Use the Dynamic Measure tool

2. Use SubScribe

11 - Draw circles and arcs
12 - Draw tangents and perpendiculars
13 - Using the orient tools
14 - Connect and straighten paths
15 - Using the Lock UnLock tool

3. Use ColliderScribe

16 - Use the Snap to Collisions tool
17 - Use the Rotate at Collisions tool
18 - Use the collision spacing
19 - Super Marquee tool basics
20 - Selecting with alternating modes
21 - Selecting with random modes
22 - Use Space Fill

4. Use MirrorMe

23 - Mirror artwork
24 - Draw with symmetry
25 - Mirror text and images

5. Use Phantasm

26 - Adjust colors with filters and effects
27 - Create vector halftones
28 - Apply effects to photos
29 - Create duotone effects

6. Using InkScribe

30 - Draw with InkScribe
31 - Edit path segments with InkScribe
32 - Add, remove, and change points with InkScribe

7. Use DynamicSketch

33 - Draw and modify paths
34 - Sketch with variable width strokes
35 - Sketch with brushes
36 - Use pulled cursor control
37 - Use Repeat Sketch
38 - Use Intellingent Join
39 - Use Gesture Trim

8. Use WidthScribe

40 - Use the Width Brush tool
41 - Use the Width Gradient tool
42 - Use the Width Selector tool
43 - Use advanced controls for width markers
44 - Use the Width Stamp panel
45 - Use Width Stamp presets
46 - Use custom contours

9. Use Stylism

47 - Overview
48 - Work with drop shadows
49 - Work with feathering
50 - Work with Inner Glow and Outer Glow
51 - Work with Transform effects
52 - Work with Free Distort effects
53 - Work with Offset Path
54 - Work with Gaussian Blur

10. Use Autosaviour

55 - Configure autosaves and backups

11. Use Stipplism

56 - Understanding stippling
57 - Use the stipple controls
58 - Stipple vectors
59 - Stipple text
60 - Stipple photos
61 - Create stipple effects with symbols
62 - Understanding Symbol Stipple settings
63 - Use symbol registration points

12. Use Texturino

64 - Texturino overview
65 - Using the Opacity Brush
66 - Apply and edit texture effects
67 - Combine multiple textures
68 - Import textures
69 - Applying textures with graphic styles
70 - Create effects with Knockout mode
71 - Using the Texture Manager
72 - Using the Texture Brush tool
73 - Convert embedded images to textures
74 - Distort textures
75 - Package textures for collaboration

13. Use VectorFirstAid

76 - VectorFirstAid overview
77 - Remove redundant points
78 - Fix broken paths
79 - Cleaning up text
80 - Fix missing and outlined text
81 - Using checkup profiles
82 - Using custom checkups

14. Using FindReplace

83 - Perform a basic search
84 - Combine search attributes
85 - Use replace options
86 - Using FindReplace with groups
87 - Fix prepress problems with FindReplace

15. Using Rasterino

88 - Crop and trim raster images
89 - Edit raster images

16. Using InkQuest

90 - Swap color channels
91 - Using quick separations
92 - View overprinting

17. Using DirectPrefs

93 - Using DirectPrefs

Conclusion

94 - Next steps