Illustrator Help

[Excium313]

hey guys, i just bought Adobe Illustrator because I want to learn how to convert my drawings to computer images to share with all of you. I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips or tutorials that would help me learn how to use Illustrator. I have a couple ship designs that i want to make on Illustrator.

Any help would be appreciated

[Andrew March]

adobe illustrator tutorials - Google Search

Google search.

[Excium313]

thanks, but i was looking at google at the time i posted the request. though i found a couple helpful tutorials there. i was looking more for tips about making ships like Star Trek ships in Illustrator. I see a lot of people using that program to make ships and was wondering if anyone had any advice on the best way to go about. i should have made myself more clear sorry.

[JRL3001]

Illustrator makes my brain hurt.....*glares at Adobe...which is actually only like 20 miles from my house* why couldnt you people give it an interface that is compliant with fricken photoshop!!!

*thwacks head on desk, then proceeds to open up Painter IX.5* ahh better...

ok, all that aside. Illustrator does make my brain hurt. I have been trying to figure it out for some time and have just given up on it. I am learning Freehand instead and for now use an old copy of PaintShop Pro for my vector work

[Andrew March]

I don't think you're going to find much in the way of specific illustrator tutorials. However, like most applications it's just a matter of getting to grips with the tools and adapting them to your needs.

I would look for tutorials that deal with construction drawings, since the application methodology would be very similar if not the same.

[MadKoiFish]

There are plenty of Illustrator tuts out there finding them is another thing. Most searches for vector tuts should procure some. I know of quite a few for "tracing" anime. I dont have the links off hand but there out there.

As for the Illustrator/Photoshop thing learn Adobe histroy it might clear stuff up.

As for Ship stuff specificly, your looking at more point to point and curves for lines and fills vs any of the Brush tools etc.
As well there IS always Adobe's tuts and resources avalible with the app or registration.

Personal tips :
when doing things like windows have a layer set up for master templates IE a grouped outline and fill for say windows. This way you can copy that template and paste it all over, or array it etc. And keep a TIGHT reign on order, lable everything and order it in a logical way so you can find the layer you want Nothing worse than digging through 30 layers with some 500+ objects a layer for a single stupid object. (this goes for ps as well lol)

[MagnumHB]

This page has more than you probably need: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop Tutorials & Lessons | Computer Graphics for Illustration Students

[Narsil]

Generally when I do my ship illustrations in Illustrator, I scan in my hand draw images to use as a template. And like some of the other guys have said, use layers. Also, I learned this technique from one of the masters himself, Michael Okuda, that when you do the top view, just do half of the ship. Then you copy, flip or mirror that copied image, then put them together. Hope that helps some.

[Excium313]

thank you everyone that have given advice. i got a few ideas from different tutorials and am currently working on my first ship illustration. i scanned my hand drawn copy and am using it as a template. so far its looking ok, ill most likely upload it in the 2D WIP in a few days once i get more done and then keep working on it in that. but thanks again everyone.

[PhilArt]

I recommend getting the Adobe Illustrator Bible. The book is a bit pricey, but is a comprehensive source for learning Illustrator. It is really clear and thorough and has helped me tremendously.