Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Introducing Adobe Illustrator
In Illustrator, you primarily create and work with vector graphics (sometimes called vector
shapes or vector objects).
Vector graphics
are made up of lines and curves defined by math-
ematical objects called vectors. You can freely move or modify vector graphics without los-
ing detail or clarity because they are resolution-independent. In other words, vector graph-
ics maintain crisp edges when resized, printed to a PostScript printer, saved in a PDF file,
or imported into a vector-based graphics application. As a result, vector graphics are the
best choice for artwork, such as logos, that will be used at various sizes and in various out-
put media.
Tip
To learn more about bitmap graphics, search for “Importing bitmap im-
ages” in Illustrator Help (Help > Illustrator Help).
Illustrator also allows you to incorporate
bitmap images
—technically called
raster im-
ages
—that use a rectangular grid of picture elements (pixels) to represent the visual. Each
pixel is assigned a specific location and color value. Raster images can be created in a pro-
gram like Adobe Photoshop.
Starting Illustrator and opening a file
You'll be working with multiple art files during this lesson, but before you begin, you'll
restore the default preferences for Adobe Illustrator CC. Resetting the preferences is not
something that you'll need to do when working on your own projects, but it ensures that
what you see onscreen matches the descriptions in the lessons.
