Illustrator 1 — Object Creation and Modification Tools

Fill ColorShows the inside color of an object.

Magic WandSelects similar objects.

Lasso ToolSelects multiple objects.

Line ToolsCreates line-based objects.

Pen ToolCreates a precision shape using points and curve handles.

Pencil ToolCreates a free-form line.

Smooth ToolSmooths out paths.

Path Eraser ToolRemoves paths.

Brush ToolCreates a free-form line with a brush effect attached.

Blob Brush ToolBuilds a solid shape using a brush tool.

Width ToolVaries the width of a stroke dynamically.

Shape Builder ToolCombines or splits shapes dynamically.

Shape ToolsCreates geometric solids.

Fill TypeChoose between Solid Color, Gradient or None.Draw ModeChoose between Normal, Draw Behind or Draw Inside.

Stroke ColorShows the outline color of an object.

Helpful Key CommandsSelect All: ⌘ A

Deselect: shift ⌘ A

Group: ⌘ G

Ungroup: shift ⌘ G

Bring Object Forward: ⌘ ]

Bring Object to Front: shift ⌘ ]

Send Object Backward: ⌘ [

Send Object to Back: shift ⌘ [

Select Object Above: option ⌘ ]

Select Object Below: option ⌘ [

Selection ToolSelects objects and groups.

Group Selection ToolSelects objects within groups.

Direct Selection Tool Selects points and paths.

Eraser ToolRemoves areas of an object.

Scissors ToolSplits a path.

Knife ToolSlices a shape into sections.

Scale ToolScales an object.

Shear ToolSlants an object.

Reshape ToolAdjusts selected points while maintaining the overall detail of the path.

Warp ToolsWarps paths dynamically.

Rotate ToolRotates an object.

Reflect ToolFlips an object.

Illustrator 1 — Selecting and Transforming Objects

Click and drag an anchor point to resize. Hold shift to constrain proportions.

Click and drag with the option key held down to duplicate an object.

Position close to a corner point, but not on it. When the cursor changes, drag up and down to rotate.

Hold down shift to select multiple objects. Select Object > Group to group together.

Selection Tool

Click on a point to select it. Click and drag to change it’s position.

Click on an object’s edge, then click and drag to move the path.

Hold down shift to select multiple points. Click and drag to change their position.

Click a point on a curved path to reveal the curve handles. Drag a handle to reshape the curve.

Direct Selection Tool

Object Menu TransformCommands for moving and reshaping objects.

ArrangeCommands for changing the stacking order of objects.

GroupGroups multiple objects together.

UngroupBreaks a group into it’s component objects.

LockPrevents objects from being edited.

Unlock allUnlocks all locked objects.

HideHides selected objects.

Show AllReveals all hidden objects.

PathCommands for altering paths and points of objects.

Clipping MaskMasks an object or group using another object.

Compound PathCombines multiple objects to behave as a single object. Different than Group in that the compound path functions as a single object, with only one fill and stroke.

Illustrator 1 — Using the Pen Tool

1. Click 2. Click-Drag 3. Click point to retract handle

shift

4. Shift-click for straight line.

Ctrl

5. � / Ctrl-click outside the path to deselect it

Open Shape

Closed Shape 1. Click 2. Click-drag 3. Click-drag 4. Click-drag 5. Click. This makes the next line straight.

6. Click 7. Click-drag 8. Click-drag 9. Click-drag 10. Click 11. Click. A circle appears to show the path will close

Click to create a point. Each successive click joins the last point to the current point with a line, or path. Click-drag to create a curved line, defined by the position of the curve handles. Clicking on the end point of a curve retracts the curve handle, making the next line segment straight.

Convert PointConverts point to a corner or curve point.

Add/Delete Anchor Point ToolAdds or removes a point on a path

Convert Anchor Point ToolConverts a point to a corner or curve point.

Remove Point

Connect Points

Cut Path at Selected Point

Show/Hide Handles

Isolate Object

Helpful Key CommandsRetract a point: Click once on an end point to retract the outgoing curve handle.

Break a curve handle: Hold down option and drag a curve handle to change it’s direc-tion independent of the other handle.

Redirect a curve handle: Hold down option and drag from a point to redirect the outgoing handle.

Illustrator 1 — Compound Shapes

Two objects are selected, each with a different fill and stroke.

The Pathfinder Panel creates new paths based on the interaction of multiple objects.

Shape Modes create a special type of Compound Path that allows easy manipulation of component objects. Choose Make Compound Shape from the Pathfinder Menu instead of the Add mode to be able to edit the individual parts of the compound shape.

Pathfinders break the paths into smaller shapes. The pieces are initially grouped. Choose Object > Ungroup to work with the individual pieces.

Two objects are selected, each with a different fill and stroke.

Overlapping objects create an even/odd effect of fills and transparent areas.

Altering the points of a path change the even/odd effect.

Object > Compound Path > Release ungroups the objects into individual shapes.

Object > Group groups them as a single object, but does not change their fill and stroke values.

Object > Compound Path > Make uses the fill and stroke of the bottom object.

Changing the fill and stroke of the group changes all of the objects in the group.

AddCombines Objects

DivideBreaks objects into pieces

OutlineBreaks objects into lines

SubtractSubtracts top most object

TrimCuts top object from bottom

Minus BackCuts bottom object out of top

IntersectIntersection of objects remains

MergeCreates one shape (must have same fill color)

ExcludeExcludes overlap

CropLeaves intersection and splits top object

The star shape ‘knocks out’ a hole in the square shape revealing objects below.

Groups vs. Compound Paths Pathfinder

Shape Modes

Pathfinders

Groups

Compound Paths

Clipping MaskWith two or more objects selected, choose Object > Clipping Mask > Make to mask the bottom shapes with the top most shape. Similar to the Intersect Shape Mode, but allows multiple shapes and even raster images to be masked.

Illustrator 1 — Special Adjustment Tools

Width ToolClick on a path and drag up or down to adust the width of the stroke dynamically.

Shape Builder ToolCombines or splits shapes dynamically.

Warp ToolsA suite of tools that warp and roughen paths. Double-click on any of the tool icons to adjust the settings.

Drag the center point left or right to change it’s origin.

Click to create additional points of varying widths. Click a point and hit delete to remove. Double-click a point to enter precise width values.

Select two or more intersecting objects. Drag from one subsection to one or more other subsections to combine them.Hold down option to subtract one or more subsections.