Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest to achieve. The following collection of Quick Tips showcase some excellent finishes and techniques that will take you no longer than a lunch break to learn. You will find videos and tips about various vector tools and techniques. Find out more at the jump.
-
Quick Tip: Create an Upholstery Pattern in Five Minutes!
In this tutorial you will learn how to create a vector upholstery pattern, using the Gradient Mesh and Transform Effect. Now you can upholster your vector furniture. Let’s get started!
-
Quick Tip: Create High Tech Style HUD Rings in Illustrator
This Quick Tip tutorial will show you how to make high tech style HUD rings in Illustrator. The same effect can be easily achieved in Photoshop with "Polar Coordinate". However, "Polar Coordinate" is not available in Illustrator.
So we will be using a different approach here to achieve the same effect. We will be using the pathfinder tool and creating Art Brushes. We then use the brushes we created to make the HUD rings. -
Wrap a Ribbon Around a Sphere, Using 3D Revolve
In this Quick Tip, you’ll create a Symbol, which you will then map to a 3D globe. The result looks like a ribbon wrapped around a hollow sphere. Let’s get started!
-
Quick Tip: How To Draw Wood Curls Using The Scribble Effect
In this Quick Tip you will learn how to draw wood curls and create cracked edges using the Scribble effect in Illustrator. You will also learn a quick way to make a wooden texture effect using Sprayed Strokes. Let’s get started!
-
Quick Tip: How to Create a 3D Sketch Text Effect
Follow this tutorial and you will learn how to play with the 3D options in Illustrator to create 3D letters and how to transform them into a sketch text using the Scribble effect and the Map Art option. You can create this effect using any color and because of its transparency you can place it on any background.
-
Quick Tip: How to Create a Simple Banner
In the following tutorial you will learn how to use the Drop Shadow effect and the Warp options to create a simple banner. The design is perfect for web and print and can be customized with different fonts and colors. Let’s get started!
-
Quick Tip: How to Replace the Spine in Illustrator Blends
In this Quick Tip you will learn some practical and creative uses for Replacing the Spine in an Illustrator Blend. From mathematically placing elements, to making decorative ornaments, you’ll find a variety uses for this great tool.
-
Quick Tip: How to make a Golden Curled Corner using Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial you will learn how to create a decorative curled edge using some easy illustrator techniques and a custom Adobe Illustrator Script. Let’s get started!
-
Quick Tip: How to Create a Wax Seal with Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial we will learn how to create a voluminous seal print on the wax with the help of 3D modeling. You can use the achieved knowledge to designs prints of your own style. Let’s get started!
-
Quick Tip: Create a Conical Gradient with Adobe Illustrator, in Two Minutes!
Unfortunately, Adobe Illustrator doesn’t come with a conical gradient setting, although some vector programs, such as Corel Draw do. Using features and tools found in Adobe Illustrator, you can create an adjustable conical gradient to use in your work, and it only takes two minutes!
-
Quick Tip: Using Gradients to Create a Vector Bug
In this Vector Quick Tip, you will use various Gradient effects, the Envelope Distort tool and Transparency settings to create a stylized bug illustration.
-
Quick Tip: The Tilde Key Trick
This screencast covers fun with the Tilde key and Adobe Illustrator. Works with any Shape Tool, the Line Segment Tool, the Arc Tool, the Spiral Tool, and more. Use this technique to quickly make complex shape patterns.
-
Quick Tip: How to Make a Glossy Web Style Rounded Button
Have you ever wondered how to make a glossy web button? In this Quick Tip you will learn how to create a simple button with recessed text, in just 11 easy steps. The best thing is, once you’ve made the first one, you can make an entire set in no time!
-
Quick Tip: Create a Wedding Ring and Wristband Using Illustrator’s 3D Effects
Easily turn a circle into a gold wedding band, or if that’s not your style, make a rubber wristband instead. It’s fast and easy with Illustrator’s 3D Extrude & Bevel effect. This is a great tutorial for beginners, let’s get started!
-
Quick Tip: The Blob Brush in Action
Illustrator’s Blob Brush settings can be confusing. Seeing it in action will help you get the most out of this fun, flexible tool. Learn how to make painterly scenes and objects with a few strokes of the Blob Brush and Eraser. You will be surprised by how fun this tool is!
-
Quick Tip – Using the Blob Brush and Eraser for Character Lines
In this Video Quick Tip you will learn how to use a digital drawing tablet in conjunction with the Blob Brush and Eraser tools to create character outlines. If you don’t own a tablet, don’t worry, you can still follow along with this tut and achieve a great looking result. Let’s begin!
-
Quick Tip: The Real Deal on Creating Chrome!
Vector drawing programs often supply templates for metallic finishes, but they can look like soft bands of blue and grey (silver) or yellow and brown (gold). Today I’m going to show you how to put a custom metallic finish with depth on your artwork and really turn your vector thing, into bling! Because I’m a simple kind of guy, there will be no transparency, mesh or 3D extrusion in this example, just a few cheeky tricks of the trade.
-
Quick Tip: How to Make Painterly Picture Frames in Adobe Illustrator
Use artistic brushes on an Opacity Mask to create painterly edges around a photo. With Illustrator, you can easily change the brush, effect and scale for infinite flexibility.
-
Quick Tip: How to Create an All Purpose Water Drop using Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial you will learn how to create all-purpose water drop using the Clipping Mask and gradient fills. Water drops created in this way can be placed on any texture, both vector and raster, and the texture under the drop will look enlarged – just like a real drop of water. Creating the drop only takes a few minutes but adds a level of detail to your illustration that looks great.
-
Quick Tip: How to Use the Flare Tool in Adobe Illustrator
The Flare tool in Illustrator is a bit of a mystery. How often do you find yourself in need of a lens flare in Illustrator? Never? Don’t write it off just yet! The Flare tool can be tweaked and transformed to create some spectacular special effects.
-
Quick Tip: 10 Minute Crystal Explosion
Illustrator, unlike Photoshop, does not have many functions allowing you to randomize elements of your design. However, those that it has, can be just as powerful. We will use just these tools to create a simple, yet appealing, T-shirt or wallpaper design.