Illustrator 1 very baisc question

[fleart1]

I just started illustrator 10and have been doing tutorials. I made a round object and filled it and saved it as an ai. file. I then tried to applly the pen tool to it to try to make some hair with the roughen effectwith pen tool but it wont let me. The path border keeps comming up. I tried object -> path-> and everything ther to see if that was the problem.
All I know is that I have a red circular object that I cant apply eyes or hair to.
Can anybody tell me how to get started and what the problem is?
thanks
Lastly, I created a new layer and the pen works. Is that the only way to do it?
thanks again.


Post Edited (fleart1) : 3/10/2004 7:12:39 AM GMT

[style]

hi, from what i understand this is what i think you should do....
... click on the pen tool but hold it down so that you get a few more pen tools.... choose the pen with the plus next to it... then..... click on the object and add vector points where you want to put your hair.... then.... use the direct selection tool and click on a vector point and play around with the points.... ((if you need more help... or if u didnt understand a word i wrote then you can pm me!)) welcome to the gdf!!

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/instyle/sigi.jpg

[fleart1]

HI,
I used the pen with + tool. When I clicked I got I got "cant add an anchor-point. Please use the add anchor-point tool on a segment of a path. I went to object and made path/outline stroke. I went back and only got that error inside circle, not path.
I next went to group select tool but when I tried to select the vector points that I made with + tool I couldnt.. The entire path moved when I clicked on them./

[PrintDriver]

Are you trying to draw shapes on top of your red circle with a pen tool?
Or change the shape of the circle itself?
Is the circle stroked and filled (sounds like it)?
To select just vector points you need to deselect all then use the white arrow (direct select tool) to highlight and change/move individual points on a line or shape.
If you just want to draw over the circle do not hit the circle border with the pen tool. Go either inside it or outside it.
You can temporarily lock the circle by selecting it and using Object>Lock. To unlock it go to Object>Unlock All (fast but sometimes messy).
New user? Or upgrade user?

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

Post Edited (PrintDriver) : 3/10/2004 3:13:17 PM GMT

[D-Frag]

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[PrintDriver]

?

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[Kool]

Just an addendum: In Illustrator you have to be right over the line when you click to add anything.

One of my big pet peeves with AI is how pancakeing small they make the points,

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[fleart1]

Hi again,
I am "BRAND NEW".. I am struggling with each step and have downloaded every tutorial posible. Problem is it works one time then when I try it it doesnt. Thats with everything.
Anyhow, back to this. To make sure our terminology is correct. to stroke is put an outside path and make it an object correct? I made circle then went to path and made outline stroke. Now the pen tool always changes the path when I tried it, even when I locked it so I guess that tool wont help. When locked I was able to add pencil marks outside the stroke area but inside the filled area I could only put one pencil mark because when I tried a second the first disappeared. I tried to put eyes and mouth inside but I was only able to put one eye because the other kept disappearing.
I tried the group selection tool but all it did was move the hair/pencil marks I made outside the stroke area. It wouldnt stretch it or anything like it does to a square symbol.
So to make things a bit clearer then, how would I make a nose and mouth in the filled area if I created an object path with an outline stroke??

Post Edited (fleart1) : 3/10/2004 10:13:13 PM GMT

[style]

i think you should read the manual that comes with illustrator to learn about the pen tool! it would really help you out!! pen tool is the best man!! to your q - to draw a nose and mouth.. create a new layer and then draw a nose... it can be on top of the last object you drew!! then do the same with the nose!! tweak it with your direct selection tool!! if you dont understand wot i wrote i think the other guys on here will help you better!! good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
/emoticons/wink.gif

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/instyle/sigi.jpg

[fleart1]

Hi,
ok, thanks. I wasnt sure If I had to make another layer or could do it this way. Was I right with the path stuff above?? Do I understand that correctly? Please, one more thing. My spiral tool worked exactly as the btutorial said it should yesterday. I selected spiral then started to dreag, then clicked alt then control and it made a nautulis (earfluid looking thing) Today, no matter what I do I get watermellon slices and nothing else. I am doing exactly same thing.
thn=anks

Post Edited (fleart1) : 3/10/2004 11:47:38 PM GMT

[PrintDriver]

is this what you mean (in a simplified fashion)?
No matter what I do, I can't make watermelon slices out of a spiral. Wait. Yes I can.
Look at your color palette. See the two boxes? The solid box is the fill and the frame box is your stroke. Click on it and the opposite will come to the front. The one in front is active and you can pick a color for it from the color bar below it. If you apply a fill to your spiral instead of a stroke you will get slices.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

Post Edited (PrintDriver) : 3/11/2004 1:57:39 AM GMT

[fleart1]

HI,.
THANK YOU. I dont know what the heck I wasdoing. Anyhow, I did that and when I click the alt and drag spiral with fill I get slice. When I drag and use control I get the nautalus.
I cant tell you how much I appreciate it. I will continue to read the book and tutorials and I think I am starting to get it.
I guess I am correct about the paths then?? I can be a path with or without the stroke right? When I just have an object then it is already a path but if I change the outer stroke then I have to create a path again.
PS. Your drawing was pretty cool. I guess you used the layer and pen with that?
thanks again

Post Edited (fleart1) : 3/11/2004 3:56:57 AM GMT

[PrintDriver]

Nope, no layers at all.
It's very important with the pen tool in Illy v10 not to touch another path when you start a new line. The pen tool will automatically change to add/delete point for some very unhelpful reason. I will admit to drawing the eyeball outside the box and dragging it into place but the nose and mouth were created in place. Either you got something really wrong with your program or you are using a PC with a Mac tutorial or something. Keyboard commands can be confusing cross platform but you should be able to do what I drew using only tools and the shift key.

Specialization is for insects...

R.H.

[fleart1]

Hi,
I got it!!! I didnt deselect after each individual pen storoke.
Well now I will start to learn to draw a bit. I will have to start experimenting because I think I can use most of the basic tools now. Youre a great teacher..
THANKS AGAIN !

[Wolf]

Glad you foundyour solution without using layers - but thought I'd just point out how useful layers can be in Illustrator.
I use layers a LOT, they're particularly useful if you want to try a couple of different things and don't want to commit to anything. Also if you name them in a useful way they make it really easy to change stuff.
If you do want to get a book, I recommend "Illustrator for Windows &amp; Macintosh 9" by Elaine Weinmann and Peter Lourekas.
Enjoy Illustrator - it rocks! http://graphicdesignforum.com/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

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