Adobe Illustrator CS4
Quick Reference
The Tools Panel
Menu Toolbar
Use the Tools panel to select, draw, edit, and view
images. A small triangle on an icon indicates
additional tools may be accessed by clicking and
holding the mouse button. The Control panel (located above right of the Tools panel) shows selected
tool options.
BYU Office of IT Training
Version 091021
Workspace Switcher
Artboard
Tools Panel
Common Tools
Selection
- Select or move objects.
Direct Selection
- Select specific parts
of a path.
Magic Wand
- Select similar content.
Lasso
- Select an area.
Pen
- Create paths.
Type
- Add text.
Line Segment
- Create a line path.
Rectangle
- Create basic shapes.
Brush
- Apply brush-like paths to the
image with soft edge.
Pencil
- Draw freehand paths.
Smooth
- Smooth paths.
Blob Brush
- Create freehand shapes.
Eraser
- Erase paths.
Rotate
- Rotate an object.
Scale
- Scale an object.
Warp
- Warp paths.
Free Transform
- Transform objects.
Symbol
- Add symbols from Symbol
panel.
Graph
- Create graphs.
Mesh
- Create custom gradients.
Gradient
- Create gradients.
Eyedropper tool
- Sample a color and
click to specify fill color. Hold Alt and
click to specify stroke color.
Blend
- Blend objects.
Artboard
- Change the artboard.
Slice
- Define boundaries of web elements in artwork.
Scissors
- Cut paths.
Knife
- Cut element in two parts.
Hand
- Move the Artboard (the document window) without using scroll bars.
Zoom
- Magnify an image.
Swap Fill/Stroke Color
- Toggle the
background/foreground color.
Default Fill/Stroke Color
- Return
the fill and stroke colors to default (black
and white).
Fill/Stroke Color Boxes
- Doubleclick to set fill or stroke colors.
Control Panel
Panels
Fundamentals
Task-based Workspaces
The Workspace Switcher is located at the
top right of the program window. Click
this menu to change your Illustrator workspace to match your project. Or, customize
your workspace by choosing your panel
options in the Window menu. The panels
and tools can be moved around or resized
to best suit your needs.
Vector Graphics
Illustrator specializes in vector graphics, mathematically generated geometric
shapes. Resizing vector images does not
cause them to pixilate.
Raster Images
Raster images are stored as a pixel grid.
Resizing raster graphics can cause image
distortion. Photoshop is better for working
with raster images.
File Formats
GIF - 256 colors; supports transparency;
ideal for logos, clip art, and simple pictures.
JPG - unlimited colors; no transparency;
ideal for photographs.
1
PNG - unlimited colors; good for web
graphics; transparency not supported in all
browsers.
TIFF - uncompressed; great for professional printing; large file size.
Color Modes
RGB - Defines image pixels as a combination of red, green, and blue. Each component is measured on a scale of 0–255.
Standard for monitor/projector displays.
CMYK - Defines image pixels as cyan,
magenta, yellow, and black on a scale of
0–100. Each corresponds to an ink color.
Better for high-end printers and professional print jobs.
Using the Shape Tools
1. Select a shape tool.
2. Click and drag in the Artboard .
For additional effects, hold down the following keys while you draw:
Shift: Rectangle/Ellipse tools: creates proportional shapes. Star/Polygon tools: restricts
shapes from rotating.
Alt: Create a shape from its center.
Spacebar: Temporarily repositions the
shape on the Artboard as you draw.
http://it.byu.edu
[email protected]
Objects
Select an Object
1. Choose the Selection tool.
2. Click on an object in the Artboard.
Click an object in the Artboard and
or
press Shift. Then click other shapes.
Create a marquee by dragging around
or
all or part of the shape(s).
Scale Objects with Selection Tool
1. With the Selection tool, select an object
in the Artboard to make its bounding
box visible.
2. Move cursor to a handle on the bounding box until it changes to a doubleheaded arrow.
3. Click and drag to scale the shape. Hold
Shift to maintain proportion.
Scale Objects with Scale Tool
1. With the Selection tool, select an object
in the Artboard.
2. Choose Scale
in the Tools panel.
3. Click and drag the object in any direction to scale it from the center out.
Rotate Objects with Selection Tool
1. With the Selection tool, select an object
in the Artboard to make its bounding
box visible.
2. Put your cursor just outside a handle
until it changes to a curve with arrowheads at both ends.
3. Click and drag in a circular motion to
rotate the shape. Press Shift as you drag
to restrict the rotation to increments of
45 degrees.
Rotate Objects with Rotate Tool
1. Choose the Selection tool.
2. Select an object in the Artboard.
3. Choose Rotate in the Tools panel.
4. Click and drag to rotate the object.
Double-click Rotate in the Tools panel
or
to open the Rotate dialog box. Enter a
specific angle of rotation.
Reflect Object with Free Transform
1. Select the object to transform.
2. Choose Free Transform in the Tools
panel.
3. Click and drag a bounding box handle
past the opposite box edge.
4. Hold down Shift to maintain object
proportions.
Panels
Color
F6
1. Select an object in the Artboard.
2. Double click Fill or Stroke
.
3. Select a color from the Color Picker.
Use the Color panel and drag the color
or
BYU Office of IT Training
Version 091021
sliders or enter values in the percentage
boxes.
Swatches
Use Swatches to quickly access common
colors. To create a new swatch
1. Create a color in the Color panel.
2. Click and drag the color from the Color
panel to the Swatches panel.
or
1. In the Swatches panel, click the sticky
note.
2. Define a new color and select the box
next to “Global” to update the color to
all Illustrator files.
Gradient
Ctrl+F9
Create and edit gradients.
1. Select an object in the Artboard.
2. Select the Gradient Fill swatch in the
Gradient panel.
3. Drag a color to the color stop from the
Color Guide, Color panel, or Swatches
panel.
4. Repeat step three to define a second
color for the gradient.
5. Select gradient type (Linear or Radial)
from the Type drop-down menu.
Layers
F7
This panel lists all the layers in a document
starting with the foremost layer. Use layers
to keep graphical data separate.
Transparency
Shift+Ctrl+F10
Set object opacity along a continuum from
transparent to opaque.
1. Select an object in the Artboard. (The
object selected must have a fill applied.)
2. In the Transparency panel, click the arrow to the right of the Opacity box.
3. Drag the Opacity slider.
Enter a value in the Opacity box to
or
specify opacity level.
Stroke
Ctrl+F10
Format stroke for shapes and paths.
1. Select an object in the Artboard.
2. Adjust stroke weight in the Stroke panel
by either entering a value for the stroke
weight, selecting a value from the dropdown menu, or clicking the arrows on
the left side of the Weight box.
3. Select a cap
to determine open
path ends.
4. Select a join
to determine path
segment corners.
5. Set stroke alignment in Align Stroke
.
Character
Ctrl+T
1. Choose Type in the Tools panel.
2. Click anywhere in the Artboard and
begin typing.
2
3. Adjust text options such as font size,
style, spacing or leading in the Character panel.
Paragraph
Alt+Ctrl+T
1. Select a text box on the Artboard.
2. Adjust paragraph options such as alignment and indentation in the Paragraph
panel.
Text
Position Type on a Path
1. Choose Paintbrush, Pencil, or Pen.
2. Click and draw a path.
3. Select Type on a Path or Vertical Type
on a Path from the Tools panel. (The
pointer changes to a vertical I-beam
with a curved line.)
4. Click the path where the text will start.
The paint attributes of the line will
disappear. A blinking cursor will appear
on the path.
5. Enter text.
The characters will appear stacked with vertically on the path.
Convert Type to Outlines
To graphically modify text characters, convert
the type to outlines.
1. Select a text object on the Artboard.
2. Select Type → Create Outlines to
convert the characters into modifiable
shapes.
Converting type to outlines prohibits text or
font editing.
Paths
Create a Closed Path
1. Choose Pencil, Paintbrush, or Pen in
the Tools panel.
2. Click and drag to create a path.
3. Drag back to the starting point of the
path and press Alt.
4. Release the mouse button.
The end point will join the start point automatically.
Reshape a Path
1. Select a path.
2. Choose Pencil in the Tools panel.
3. Redraw directly over the selected path
to reshape it.
Connect New Path with Existing Path
1. Select the existing path.
2. Choose Pencil in the Tools panel.
3. Click and drag to create new path; then
press Ctrl to connect to an existing path
end point.
4. Release the mouse button.
Both paths must be selected to connect.
http://it.byu.edu
[email protected]
Draw Straight Segments with Pen
1. Choose Pen in the Tools panel.
2. Click to create an anchor point.
3. Click again in another location to place
a second anchor point.
4. Continue adding segments this way.
5. Press Ctrl and click a blank area of the
Artboard to deselect the path.
Hold down Shift to constrain the direction
points to 45 degrees.
Close a Path with Pen Tool
1. Choose Pen in the Tools panel.
2. Click or click and drag to create a path.
3. Hover cursor over the first anchor point
on the path until the cursor changes to
show a pen icon with an “o” next to it.
4. Click on the anchor point.
The “o” indicates that the path will close
when you click.
Draw Curved Segments with Pen
1. Choose Pen in the Tools panel.
2. Click and drag the mouse in the direction the first segment will curve. (Two
direction points appear. The first affects
the angle that the path will leave that anchor. The other point will affect the angle
that the path will enter that anchor.)
3. Release the mouse button.
4. Select a new point to create the next
anchor; click and drag.
5. Release the mouse button.
6. To continue adding segments to the
path, point to where the next segment
will end. Drag or click to create the new
anchor point.
7. To complete the path, press Ctrl and
click a blank area of the Artboard or
select a different tool in the Tools panel.
Hold down Shift to constrain the direction
points to 45 degrees.
What’s a path?
Move an Anchor Point
1. Select a path.
2. Choose the Direct Selection tool.
3. Click and drag the anchor point to a
new location.
Adjust the Segment Curvature
1. Select a path.
2. Choose the Direct Selection tool.
3. Double click the segment or its anchor
point so the associated direction points
appear.
4. Drag a direction point to adjust the
line.
Add Anchor Points to a Path
1. Select a path.
2. Choose Add Anchor Point located
under the pen tool in the Tools panel.
3. Click anywhere on the path.
Select the Pen tool from the tools panel
or
and hover over a blank section of the
path. Click when “+” shows next to the
cursor.
Delete Anchor Points from a Path
1. Select a path.
2. Choose Delete Anchor Point located
under the pen tool in the Tools panel.
3. Click any existing anchor point on a
path to delete it.
Select the Pen tool from the tools panel
or
and hover over an anchor on the path.
Click when “-” shows up next to the
cursor.
Remove Direction Points
1. Choose Convert Anchor Point located
under the Pen tool in the Tools panel.
2. Click and drag from an anchor point to
create a smooth point.
Click and drag the direction points to
or
create a corner point.
Join Endpoints
Ctrl+J
1. Choose the Direct Selection tool in the
Tools panel.
2. Select two endpoints of the same path
or two different paths to connect by
holding down Shift.
3. Choose Object → Path → Join.
Right-click and select Join.
or
If the endpoints are a distance from each
other, a straight segment is created automatically, connecting the two endpoints. If the
anchor points overlap, they combine as a
single anchor point.
Cut Paths with Scissors
1. Choose Scissors (click and hold the
Eraser tool to find the scissors).
2. Click any part of the path to cut.
Remove Part of a Closed Shape
1. Choose Scissors (click and hold the
Eraser tool to find the scissors).
2. Click a start and end point of the part
of the path to remove.
3. Take the Direct Selection tool and
select the path between to the cuts to
remove that section.
Split an Object with the Knife
1. Choose Knife (click and hold the Eraser
tool to find the scissors).
2. Click and drag across the shape.
The Knife tool works only on closed shapes
or paths with fills applied, and the resulting
paths are closed shapes.
Adjust Image/Object Order
1. Choose the Selection tool.
2. Select an object on the Artboard.
3. Use one of the following shortcuts:
Bring Forward:
Ctrl+]
Send Backward:
Ctrl+[
Send to Front:
Shift+Ctrl+]
Send to Back:
Shift+Ctrl+[
A path shows a drawn object’s “skeleton”.
Modify the path to change the object’s general structure. Altering paths can smooth out curves or
change line direction.
{
Path (blue)
Object (teal)
BYU Office of IT Training
Version 091021
3
http://it.byu.edu
[email protected]
Keyboard Shortcuts
Help
Illustrator Help
File
F1
New
Ctrl+N
New from Template
Shift+Ctrl+N
Open
Ctrl+O
Browse
Alt+Ctrl+O
Close
Ctrl+W
Save
Ctrl+S
Save As
Shift+Ctrl+S
Save a Copy
Alt+Ctrl+S
Save for Web & Devices Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S
Revert
F12
Other Script
Ctrl+F12
Document Setup
Alt+Ctrl+P
File Info
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+I
Print
Ctrl+P
Exit
Ctrl+Q
Switch Units
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+U
New File (No Dialog)
Alt+Ctrl+N
Close All Alt+Ctrl+W
Debug Panel
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+F12
Edit
Undo
Redo
Cut
Copy
Paste
Paste in Front
Paste in Back
Check Spelling
Color Settings
Keyboard Shortcuts General Preferences
Object
Transform Again
Move
Transform Each
Bring to Front
Bring Forward
Send Backward
Send to Back
Group
Ungroup
Lock Selection
Unlock All
Hide Selection
Show All
Join
Average
Make Blend
Release Blend
Make Live Paint
Make Clipping Mask
Release Clipping Mask
Make Compound Path
Release Compound Path
Lock Others
Hide Others
Repeat Pathfinder
Average & Join
Ctrl+Z
Shift+Ctrl+Z
Ctrl+X
Ctrl+C
Ctrl+V
Ctrl+F
Ctrl+B
Ctrl+I
Shift+Ctrl+K
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+K
Ctrl+K
Ctrl+D
Shift+Ctrl+M
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+D
Shift+Ctrl+]
Ctrl+]
Ctrl+[
Shift+Ctrl+[
Ctrl+G
Shift+Ctrl+G
Ctrl+2
Alt+Ctrl+2
Ctrl+3
Alt+Ctrl+3
Ctrl+J
Alt+Ctrl+J
Alt+Ctrl+B
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+B
Alt+Ctrl+X
Ctrl+7
Alt+Ctrl+7
Ctrl+8
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+8
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+2
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+3
Ctrl+4
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+J
Type
Create Outlines
Shift+Ctrl+O
Show Hidden Characters Alt+Ctrl+I
Insert Hyphen
Shift+Ctrl+Point Size Up
Shift+Ctrl+.
Point Size Down
Shift+Ctrl+,
Font Size Step Up
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+.
Font Size Step Down Alt+Shift+Ctrl+,
Kern Looser
Shift+Ctrl+]
Kern Tighter
Shift+Ctrl+[
Tracking
Alt+Ctrl+K
Clear Tracking
Alt+Ctrl+Q
Spacing
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+O
Uniform Type
Shift+Ctrl+X
Highlight Font
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+F
Left Align Text
Shift+Ctrl+L
Center Text
Shift+Ctrl+C
Right Align Text
Shift+Ctrl+R
Justify Text Left
Shift+Ctrl+J
Justify All Lines
Shift+Ctrl+F
Toggle Auto Hyphenation Alt+Shift+Ctrl+H
Toggle Line Composer
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+C
Select
All
Deselect
Reselect Next Object Above Next Object Below Apply Last Filter Last Filter Switch Selection Tools
Ctrl+A
Shift+Ctrl+A
Ctrl+6
Alt+Ctrl+]
Alt+Ctrl+[
Ctrl+E
Alt+Ctrl+E
Alt+Ctrl+Tab
Effect
Apply Last Effect Last Effect View
Shift+Ctrl+E
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+E
Preview
Ctrl+Y
Overprint Preview Alt+Shift+Ctrl+Y
Pixel Preview
Alt+Ctrl+Y
Zoom In
Ctrl+Spacebar
Zoom Out
Ctrl+Alt+Spcbr
Fit in Window
Ctrl+0
Actual Size
Ctrl+1
Hide Edges
Ctrl+H
Show Template
Shift+Ctrl+W
Show Rulers
Ctrl+R
Hide Bounding Box Shift+Ctrl+B
Show Transparency Grid Shift+Ctrl+D
Show Text Threads
Shift+Ctrl+Y
Hide Guides
Ctrl+;
Lock Guides
Alt+Ctrl+;
Make Guides
Ctrl+5
Release Guides
Alt+Ctrl+5
Smart Guides Ctrl+U
Show Grid
Ctrl+’
Snap to Grid
Shift+Ctrl+’
Snap to Point
Alt+Ctrl+’
Hide Panels
Tab
Panel Tools
Add New Fill Add New Stroke New Layer New Layer with Dialog Ctrl+/
Alt+Ctrl+/
Ctrl+L
Alt+Ctrl+L
Window
Align Appearance Attributes Brushes Color Color Guide
Gradient Graphic Styles Info
Layers Pathfinder Stroke Symbols Transform Transparency Character Panel
OpenType
Paragraph Panel
Tabs
Switch to Other Tools
Shift+F7
Shift+F6
Ctrl+F11
F5
F6
Shift+F3
Ctrl+F9
Shift+F5
Ctrl+F8
F7
Shift+Ctrl+F9
Ctrl+F10
Shift+Ctrl+F11
Shift+F8
Shift+Ctrl+F10
Ctrl+T
Alt+Shift+Ctrl+T
Alt+Ctrl+T
Shift+Ctrl+T
Selection
Direct Selection
Magic Wand
Lasso
Pen
Add Anchor Point
Delete Anchor Point
Convert Anchor Point
Type
Line Segment
Rectangle
Ellipse
Paintbrush
Blob Brush
Pencil
Rotate
Reflect
Scale
Warp
Free Transform
Symbol Sprayer
Mesh
Gradient
Eyedropper
Blend
Live Paint Bucket
Live Paint Selection
Crop Area
Slice
Eraser
Scissors
Hand
Zoom
Toggle Fill/Stroke
Default
Swap Fill/Stroke
Color
Gradient
Toggle Screen Mode
Show/Hide All Panel
Show/Hide All But Tools Panel
Increase Diameter
Decrease Diameter
V
A
Y
Q
P
=
Shift+C
T
\
M
L
B
Shift+B
N
R
O
S
Shift+R
E
Shift+S
U
G
I
W
K
Shift+L
Shift+O
Shift+K
Shift+E
C
H
Z
X
D
Shift+X
,
.
F
Tab
Shift+Tab
]
[
Questions?
Go to http://train.byu.edu/illustrator to find more Adobe Illustrator resources. Schedule your next Illustrator class at http://it.byu.edu/training.
BYU Office of IT Training
Version 091021
4
http://it.byu.edu
[email protected]