Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
ILLUSTRATOR, PDF, AND ADOBE ACROBAT
Acrobat's Portable Document Format (PDF) lets you transfer files between different
operating systems and applications. By default, all Illustrator files created now are
also PDF-compatible files. And when you open an Illustrator document newer than
the version of the program that you have, you're actually opening the PDF portion of
the .ai file. When you choose File> Save As, keep the “Create PDF Compatible File”
option enabled so Acrobat (and earlier versions of Illustrator) can open an .ai file.
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To access the complete set of PDF options,
choose “Adobe PDF (pdf)” from the Save As
format pop-up and click Save, which opens the Adobe PDF Options dialog; then
choose from among the full range of PDF options, such as Optimize for Fast Web
View.
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To save layered Illustrator files as layered Acrobat files,
enable the “Create Acrobat
Layers From Top-Level Layers” option in the Adobe PDF Options dialog.
Opening other apps' PDFs
Illustrator can open many PDF files made by other applications, but can only open
one page at a time. Also, depending on how the PDF was made, text in the PDF
may be broken up into multiple text lines when opened in Illustrator.
WEB GRAPHICS
This section looks at some of the complexities of creating web graphics for modern
displays. Adobe has worked to eliminate obstacles between Illustrator and web
programs such as Flash, but some of its features can produce large files that result in
long load times, or objects that don't scale to large and small displays.
Document profiles and templates, such as Flash Builder were designed to optimize
your design for the web from the start. If you choose the Web, Devices, or Flash
Builder document profiles when creating a new document, most of the settings—
including setting resolution, RGB color mode, pixels for ruler units, and enabling
Align to Pixel Grid—are geared for screen display.
Using the Pixel Preview grid
If Show Pixel Grid is enabled (it's the default in Preferences> Guides and Grid), the
Pixel Preview grid will automatically show up when you zoom to 600% or greater.
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Use multiple artboards;
these are a great aid for sharing resources when you need to
maintain a look or prep a number of files for quick export. Use Export to choose a
format and output selected artboards. Save for Web keeps the assets, but only
exports the active artboard.
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To prevent colors from being altered when working for print and display,
work in CMYK
(the more limited color space), and then convert a copy of your file to RGB.
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To assist in creating bold graphics,
turn on Pixel Preview to see how the anti-aliasing is
affecting each object.
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To keep sharp-edged objects crisp and prevent unnecessary anti-aliasing
wherever
Illustrator paths line up with the pixel grid, enable Align to Pixel Grid in the
Transform panel (it will be enabled by default if you chose a Web or Flash Builder
document profile).
Anti-alias & Save for Web
If you use Save for Web, choose Type Optimized in the Image Size options to
preserve character-level anti-aliasing choices.
