HOME | DD
Capt-Nemo — Illustrator/Vector Tutorial Part Two
by-nc-sa
Published: 2012-03-24 04:45:28 +0000 UTC; Views: 82792; Favourites: 795; Downloads: 1322
Redirect to original
Description
Part two of my vector tutorial.Part One: [link]
Edit: Somebody told me there is a sweet tool in Illustrator CS5 called the Width Tool. It lets you change the width of lines at specific points without having to convert strokes to outlines! I suggest you use that. Check out this tutorial: [link]
All you need to do is add a width point at the end of the stroke, double-click it, and change the total width to zero.
Edit two: I was informed of the "Draw Inside" tool also found in CS5. This tool automates the usage of clipping masks and makes them much easier to use. Check out a video here !
Related content
Comments: 99
I dunno, instead of strokes I just use the pentool to outline the lines then just fill in the color....hmmm
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I used to do that, too. Took way longer than my current method, and the lines wouldn't come out as smooth.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you very much for the tutorial I couldn't have done this [link] without your help
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Great tutorial, really helped me creating my first vector [link]
Thank you!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Looks pretty good; nice job!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks for the help, but one question.
Does Illustrator cost anything?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Indeed it does. Quite a lot, unfortunately. But some places you can get it for free, if you know what I mean.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Ah. Okay. Thanks!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Great, now make it in French >
(No joke, good job ;D)
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Baguette !
If Capt-Nemo is okay with this, I'd be pleased to translate his guide in French (Since it's my native language).
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Extremely useful tutorial, really!
In just 3-4 hours (I guess it's short for the first time), I made this: [link]
Concerning the cutie mark, isn't it easier to just find a big PNG image and distort it? I did so, I thought that drawing the balloons would take too much time.
How many layers do you usually use? For that one I used 15 (8 for outlines, 3 for body fill, 3 for eyes and one for cutie mark)+2 for reference images on top and bottom, is it optimal?
Also, are you going to make some other tutorials, covering more complex functions?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Wow, that was your first? It looks great! I would have figured you'd done a ton of them already if you didn't say otherwise.
You could use a PNG, that's fine. I like to make it myself just because I don't like reusing other people's work in mine, but I guess it's not really a big deal.
As for layers, you should check out the SVG I linked on the page for part one. I generally have a layer for the body, head, three for legs, snout, ear, hair, eyes, tail, and cutie mark. Plus some for extra stuff. I generally just use what seems appropriate, and what will make it easy to edit later, but not too many.
I might do general, non-pony tutorials on other stuff eventually, we'll see.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Thanks! Actually, I just realised I forgot about the shadow
I've seen the SVG. I think I still prefer making outlines and fill on separate layers, this way I was able to make (just for fun) this: [link] , I really like how it came out.
By the way, how do you create an SVG that preserves layers? When I convert mine, everything gets merged into one layer.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I used to have outlines and fill on separate layers, but it eventually got to be too much. If I wanted to do that now, I'd have to select the fills and change them to strokes instead.
In Illustrator, all I did was Save As... and choose SVG. I couldn't find a setting for layers. I do have "Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities" checked, perhaps that has something to do with it.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
You are right, the "save editing capabilities" was the checkbox I was looking for. I couldn't find it because I was using "save for web" all the time. Thanks!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I Just Found Out How To Change The Colour Now :3
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
How Do I Change The Colour Outline Of The Pony's Body On CS5?
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thanks! This tutorial helped me to create this: [link]
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
That was fast! The vectoring is good. The art could use a little work, but I'm sure you know that. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yeah, it was probably fast because I had already started by the time I asked the question, and I managed to get around it before you answered me. But yes, I managed to use the width tool and it works great!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Huh, I've always wondered how some people copy those pics so good... now I know it's a lot more complicated than just tracing it out or something.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
when you do the eyes or hair, you can also use the draw inside tool. It allows you to draw on top of the fill, but not on the stroke. It works even better than using the make outline tool or using a transparency mask.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Did you try working with Inkscape?
If you did,can you make a tutorial for that?
Btw,I love this tutorial.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I've never used Inkscape, sorry. 
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Good stuff, but have you considered using Flash instead? That way one can animate things.
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I've wanted to try out Flash for a while. If I ever get good at that, I'll make a tutorial for it, too.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
i should be studying biology today but then i study this vector....
well.... at least i am studying....
Thanks for making this tutorial!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Time to make my OC come alive! And also edit my other vectors too
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Thank you soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo *3 hours later* oooooo much!!!
This can really help me in my drawings!!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
I didn't realize so much work went into these vectors... IT LOOKS LIKE FUN!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Mmm... more vectory goodness. The shortcuts you mention are going to help me a lot in the future!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Oh boy oh boy!
Yeah, I don't like it any more than you do.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Clipping masks can be a pain sometimes!
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Hoo yeah. I'm hoping that it's just Illustrator 10, but they just refuse to work correctly sometimes. If I delete the shapes and try again it works. No idea why.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Will it work on "Total Drama" characters?
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
Yep, sure should! They're a bit simpler, actually, than MLP characters in some areas (like the eyes), so it shouldn't be too hard.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
THANK YOU! I have an old copy of Illustrator 10 on my system, time to blow the dust off the icon and get busy!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
you sir, are awesome! good job!!
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Yay! I can make better vector drawings now! Thanks.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
You really need to get Adobe CS5. With the shape builder and width tools, you can do these things faster and easier.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
Not bad as a tutorial.
But you made the eyes overly too complicated.
You don't have to cut holes into the head. In fact they are a layer above the head. So you can just put the lower eyelashes below the eyes. But you have to create a mask for the iris and pupils.
This way you're able to easily replace and modify the eyes (if wanted).
👍: 0 ⏩: 1
I suppose that's true. The funny thing is, I learned about clipping masks and the Pathfinder tool at about the same time. My technique turned into this. It never occurred to me to use the masks on the irises and pupils, even though what you described is basically what I used to do.
Ah well.
👍: 0 ⏩: 0
<= Prev |