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2 Feb
2012
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There are several ways to color vector images. Here I will describe the most common of them and the tools that are used in this process. All these methods are used by professional illustrators. What are their differences and advantages? Learn more after jump!
31 Jan
2012
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Drawing with a Graphic Tablet, typically a Wacom device, allows the vector artist a bunch of advantages such as acceleration of the illustrative creation process; Ease of drawing as compared to drawing with a mouse, the correlation between the line width and the pressure on the stylus, and, finally, the creation of a more natural and unique style graphic.
In this article we will discuss how to configure the Graphic Tablet for easy operation and configuration of Illustrator’s standard vector drawing tools to create a variable width path for illustrations. I will also describe several practical exercises that allow you to quickly master the Graphic Tablet. In the second part of this article, you will learn how to color vector illustration with the help of the Graphic Tablet. So let’s get started!
27 Jan
2012
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This tutorial covers the issues concerning the creation and pre-press workflow of a vector file. When creating an artwork that you are going to print, you should take into consideration the design’s technical factors. Phantasm CS allows you to quickly analyse and prepare the created artwork for printing. Let’s get started!
25 Jan
2012
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If you work with Adobe Illustrator, this is a very special interview with a person who you may not have heard of, but has probably had a major say in the way you work.
Brenda Sutherland is product manager for Adobe Illustrator. We had the great pleasure of meeting her last year when she visited our show stand in London in October. And it was a revelation, transforming the image in our minds of Adobe as a large anonymous corporate body into something altogether more personal. For we found Brenda to be experienced in design and pre-press, knowledgable and funny.
So we thought it time to introduce Brenda to you all in this comprehensive interview with questions contributed by some equally key figures in our industry. Enjoy!
Astute Graphics blog tutorial author Iaroslav Lazunov has opened this article up further to our international friends by translating this interview into Russian. This may be found on Iaroslav’s Vectorboom website: ru.vectorboom.com/load/stati/intervju/intervjuillustrator/10-1-0-50
Monika Gause has very kindly (and amazingly quickly!) translated this interview into German. This may be found on Monika’s Vektorgarten website: vektorgarten.de/interview-brenda-sutherland.html
Many thanks to Monika for her kind work!
24 Jan
2012
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Wacom has been present in the professional designer’s arena for many years now. The first Wacom device was purchased by this author around 15 years ago – a small A6-sized beige device. But Wacom have invested much in their innovative technology over the years, culminating in today’s Bamboo, Intuos and range-topping Cintiq products.
Much has been written about these seemingly optional graphics devices (even today, Computer Arts magazine published an overview on their website – click here), but relatively little in relation to working specifically with vector drawings. This article starts the discussion…
19 Jan
2012
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In this tutorial we will finish the experiment which we started earlier in the pages of this blog (Stereoscopy entries). We will learn how to create 3D objects quickly and efficiently, place them in a perspective plane and create a vector Anaglyph Stereo Image with the help of Phantasm CS. The fact is that everything that was previously available for raster objects only is now applicable to vector ones too.
12 Jan
2012
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In this tutorial we will learn how to create a Shopping Basket with the help of 3D modeling. I’ll share with you some secrets of working with such objects, and I will teach how to find shades for basic color quickly. For recoloring the objects we will be using Phantasm CS which makes this process much easier and faster.
5 Jan
2012
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Happy New Year!
With 109 articles published on the Astute Graphics Blog in 2011, many of which being comprehensive new and unique tutorials, we feel safe in justifying a de-rigueur “Best of 2011″!
This “Best of” list is based on visitor levels, feedback and our personal preferences. Enjoy!
We are proud of having signed-up the prolific and popular vector artwork tutorial writer Iaroslav Lazunov in the second half of 2011. Many of the the articles featured here are his work.
As part of our ongoing commitment to our customers, we wish to introduce further special guest authors throughout 2012. We have already received wonderful feedback based on the articles published to date, many of which point to the benefits of getting the most out of VectorScribe and Phantasm CS.
The quickest and easiest way to stay informed of the latest AG Blog articles is by following us on Twitter: @astutegraphics.
Most of these tutorials feature VectorScribe and Phantasm CS tools. If you use either of these, or just vanilla Adobe Illustrator, they are highly recommended reading to help you got more from your vector design workflow.
How to Create Vector Denim Texture : Receiving the most response via the blog, Twitter, email and more, this article by Iaroslav demonstrated what must be the most realistic vector demon texture ever. Final artwork freely available to download at the end of the article.
Happy Drummer : A wonderfully comprehensive tutorial which shows how to work faster in basic vector shape creation. Final artwork freely available to download at the end of the article.
How to Create a Hologram Sticker : Visually striking, the resultant artwork from this tutorial caught reader’s imagination. Dynamic and fully editable whilst making use of the very popular VectorScribe Dynamic Shapes tool.
How to Create a Night City scene : With the car’s lights streaking by, the lights glowing from the skyscrapers and a glow in the sky, the secrets behind the creation of this atmospheric scene is laid bare.
How to Create Proper Gears : Gears; you see them featured in so many designs. And yet many people wince at the inaccurate cartoon style of many examples. Here, Iaroslav makes use of VectorScribe to draw out some that look that they could actually work. Nice.
How to Create a 3D Film Strip : Using the 3D tools in Illustrator appeared to be a popular topic in 2011. This great tutorial jumped firmly in the front seat of this bandwagon and showed how, with the help of VectorScribe, a wonderful result could be achieved. Final artwork freely available to download at the end of the article.
Create a Steaming Kettle : A personal favourite here as Astute Towers; both for the streamlined methods of drawing in vector (with the help of VectorScribe‘s tools) but also for the very realistic vector steam effect. Final artwork freely available to download at the end of the article.
How to Create a Tennis Ball : A ball. Seems simple, right? Well, this is a mighty step better featuring a random texture and accurate dividing curvature around the surface. The related quick tip on how to create a grass background is likely to be of interest too.
Shortcuts : Work quicker and smarter when using VectorScribe and Adobe Illustrator. These series of articles show each available shortcut.
New advanced Ink Coverage tool in Phantasm CS Publisher version 2 : 2011 saw the release of Phantasm CS Publisher version 2 which brought major enhancements for the pre-press operators and designers. The improved Ink Coverage tool was a great hit! This article shows it in action on a hi-fi color image.
An initial series of fashion-related articles started appearing in 2011. This follows the increasing number of fashion designers using both VectorScribe and Phantasm CS from leading brands such as Nike, Adidas, Bench. and Esprit. More articles directed to the fashion industry is planned for 2012.
What happens if the Phantasm CS plugin is not present? This is a question often received. Don’t panic! The news is good. And this full story could be found in this article.
Vector Basic Training book by Von Glitschka : Learn more and do more. This shouldn’t just be restricted to reading blogs (yes – we realise THIS is a blog…!) but remember that medium called “books”? Thankfully the very talented vector designer Von Glitschka did and wrote a wonderful and deservedly popular book about our world. Here was our review which partly led to us bringing him over to the UK to give a free talk at the London IT Show in October.
Free and Useful Adobe Illustrator Scripts with Scriptographer : Showing the possibilities on offer with the premier free Illustrator plugin was enlightening for many. Scriptographer allows for wonderful and flexible vector artwork results. Worth looking into.
21 Dec
2011
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2011 has been quite a year for Astute Graphics, and we wish to thank all our customers and friends for making it so wonderful!
We’d also like to extend season’s greeting and festive wishes.
Astute Graphics’ office will be closed on, and between the following dates:
Thursday, 22 December 2011
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
There will be limited online support between Christmas and the New Year.
21 Dec
2011
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Something which has plagued a very small percentage of VectorScribe users on the Mac has bugged us for 6 months. The strange “…Filter…” error message (reported here) remained illusive to ourselves and the majority of beta testers.