Using Shapes to Create Artwork for a Postcard - Adobe Illustrator CC - page 161

5 . Name two ways you can combine several shapes into one.
6 . How can you convert a raster image to editable vector shapes?
Review answers
1 . There are six shape tools: Rectangle, Rounded Rectangle, Ellipse, Polygon, Star,
and Flare. As explained in Lesson 1 , “ Getting to Know the Work Area ,” to tear off
a group of tools from the Tools panel, position the pointer over the tool that ap-
pears in the Tools panel and hold down the mouse button until the group of tools
appears. Without releasing the mouse button, drag to the triangle on the right side
of the group, and then release the mouse button to tear off the group.
2 . After you draw a rectangle or rounded rectangle using the shape tool, you can con-
tinue to modify its properties such as width, height, rounded corners, corner types,
and radii (individually or collectively). This is what is known as a Live Shape.
These shape properties are editable using the Transform panel, which has a separ-
ate Rectangle Properties section, or directly on the art.
3 . Items that have no fill can be selected by clicking the stroke or by dragging a se-
lection marquee across the item.
4 . To change the number of sides on a polygon as you draw, select the Polygon tool (
) in the Tools panel. Start dragging to draw the shape, and press the Down Ar-
row key to reduce the number of sides and the Up Arrow key to increase the num-
ber of sides.
5 . Using the Shape Builder tool ( ), you can visually and intuitively merge, delete,
fill, and edit overlapping shapes and paths directly in the artwork. You can also use
the Pathfinder effects to create new shapes out of overlapping objects. You can ap-
ply Pathfinder effects by using the Effects menu or the Pathfinder panel.
6 . You can convert a raster image to editable vector shapes by tracing it. To convert
the tracing to paths, click Expand in the Control panel or choose Object > Image
Trace > Expand. Use this method if you want to work with the components of the
traced artwork as individual objects. The resulting paths are grouped.