Illustrator Exercise Files

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Select a category from the list below.

• Technical Drawing
• Manipulating Objects
• Appearance
• Bitmaps
• Magic Wand and Alignment

Appearance

Download the frog example [Illustrator:323.0kB]

This basic frog shape has been filled very crudely using a coarse gradient mesh. See if you can improve the fill, to produce a more attractive or realistic colouring. If you want to start over again (probably a good idea) there is a copy of the basic outline on a hidden layer, which you can add your own gradient mesh or other fill. Note: allow plenty of time for this exercise, and take frequent rests to avoid injury.

Download the pattern fills example [Illustrator:358.9kB]

We don't describe pattern fills in any detail in the book, but you can learn a bit about how they work by playing with this image, applying different pattern fills to the frogs – just click on a pattern in the Swatches palette. Use Illustrator Help to find out how to create some patterns of your own, and use them as fills.

Download the simple sketch [Illustrator:239.3kB]

Read the section on Live Paint, on pages 226–228. Starting each time with a clean version of the file supplied, colour it in different ways to make several coloured illustrations using the Live Paint bucket. If you wish, alter or add to the sketch to create new possibilities for live painting.

Try applying the Scribble effect (found on the Effect>Stylize sub-menu) to the uncoloured sketch. Experiment with different settings until you get a result you like. Now try using Live Paint to colour in parts of the scribbled drawing.

Download the weather vane design [Illustrator:120.4kB]

Read the section on 3D Effects, on pages 235–240. Use the supplied file to experiment with rotating, extruding and revolving. (Begin by trying to reproduce Figure 5.41 on page 235.) You might like to change the colour of parts of the design before you apply the effects to get a more interesting result and to see the mapping between the different parts and the final 3D result. Experiment with the different shading algorithms, as well as the parameters to each effect. (Note: this exercise is likely be demanding on your processor.)