IllustrationClass.com

Vector Build Methods 1

03.03.09 | Free Tutorials

This is the first video tutorial I have posted on IllustrationClass.com. So I decided to base it on the question I get asked most often.

“How do you get such precise vector shapes with the pen tool?”

Well in all honesty my build methods don’t solely depend on the pen tool. Most of my finessing of shapes and refinement is done using selection tools and via a great very intuitive and useful plugin for Ai called “Xtream Path” by CValley Software.

I’ve mentioned and shown this plugin before in my other tutorials but now you get to see it all in action. If you like these video tutorials please let me know by posting feedback in the comments for this post.

These simple build methods are foundational for creating illustrative design solutions on any type of project and will help you achieve precision graphics as you produce print collateral such as business cards, flyers, and brochures.

This download contains both videos and a notes file with more information about CValley Softwares plugin for Ai.

Watch the video tutorials online here:
- Vector Build Methods 1
- Vector Build Methods 2

(Tutorial Includes Notes in both ‘English’ and ‘Español’.)

Keywords: Build, Methods, CValley, Xtream Path, Video

File Size: 27.2 MB

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Comment (43) | Trackback(0)

Comment (43)

Geert wrote: March 4, 2009 at 10:27 am

I love these videos! Very helpful. Thank you, Von!
erika wrote: March 4, 2009 at 10:05 pm

I love the videos too! I think a great one for the (hopefully soon) future would be a texture video tutorial. *hint hint
Jermaine wrote: March 5, 2009 at 8:19 am

Yeah love the videos. Wow that’s pretty slick and it would save so much time. $140 though?!?!
julper wrote: March 5, 2009 at 9:58 am

Hi Von, I’m a big fan of your work and your techniques and I’ve learned a lot from the tutorials, but honestly I don’t see the point of that plugin, to me it seems much more complicated and longer than using just the pen tool…

It is maybe because you had to make an obligated change to Illustrator and the software still doesn’t feel right for you, right?

Anyway, it’d be pretty good if you give us more video tutorials
geoff wrote: March 5, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Von,

Thanks for the videos. As an Ai newbie, I find learning how an experienced artist works very helpful.

One suggestion: You did some things “off screen” in the video that weren’t obvious. It would be helpful for noobs like myself if you could include your entire window in the video so we could follow along a little better.

Thanks again for sharing your methods.
richnosworthy wrote: March 5, 2009 at 2:26 pm

Nice working method, the cvalley tools are great. What did you press to make all the broken tangents line up about half way through – couldn’t see what you did

thanks
admin wrote: March 5, 2009 at 7:38 pm

Julper,

The point is it’s faster than building with multiple tools that Ai expects you to use. The art in this video was pretty simple but I know if it was more complex I could build it faster using this plugin than I could the pen tool and beziers alone.

You’re correct in that FreeHand core basic build methods were far more intuitive and easy than Ai. But this plugin makes it even faster then it was in FreeHand.

Jermaine,

$140 is steep but you could recoup that cost with one large job in the time you save.

Von
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zachlebar wrote: March 8, 2009 at 7:48 am

Thank you soooo much for this entire site Von. The lessons here have been both educational and fun. Now with videos they’re even better.

I’d love to see some more of these, maybe a more in depth look at lighting and shading, or as erika said, textures.

You really could have a huge hit on your hands

From the words of Oliver Twist, More Please!
admin wrote: March 9, 2009 at 2:57 pm

I appreciate all the comments and email feedback regarding the videos. I’m still learning the best way to capture them and as some have pointed out I go off screen to round my points so I wanted to clarify how I do that.

With your point selected just go to the Ai menu bar at the top of the art board and click on the “Convert selected anchor points to smooth” button.

Here is what it looks like:

Thanks again and I hope your continue to enjoy the site. More cool content coming soon.

Von
Daily Links | AndySowards.com :: Professional Web Design, Development, Programming, Hacks, Downloads, Math and being a Web 2.0 Hipster? wrote: March 17, 2009 at 6:01 pm

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patricia wrote: March 17, 2009 at 10:11 pm

I always learn something new here. Thanks for the great tutorial Von.
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sergiox wrote: March 25, 2009 at 7:16 pm

At last Adobe Illustrtor has incorporated the segment direct edit tool. For some years I was using this tool in Macromedia Flash for using the result in Illustrator later. As Von says, it really makes the job more fast. Thanks Von for sharing these material.
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gary wrote: April 6, 2009 at 5:41 pm

I love your site, Von. Thank you so much for sharing.

It looks like Inkscape has some of the path-tweaking features of the plugin your using in the first video. I was a long-time user, and fan, of Illustrator, but since I started using Inkscape a few years ago, I haven’t had the need to go back… Though I do miss the Pantone spot color pallet integration.
josh wrote: April 7, 2009 at 11:56 pm

Von, what are those tools right below the CValley plugin in the Tools pallet?
admin wrote: April 8, 2009 at 12:40 am

Josh,

That is another CValley plugin called “FilteriT.” It allows you to easily distort vector shapes. So if you needed to bend something to fit a banner lets say it makes it easy to do. Like “Xtream Path” it’s better than the hinky “Envelope Tool” in Ai which is nothing short of craptacular in it’s ease of use and lack of precision.

You’d think the way I promote CValley’s product that they’d at least advertise on this site. (Hint)

Von
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InToGraphics wrote: April 21, 2009 at 7:32 pm

Hi Von,

Excellent tutorials.
Although I would have enjoyed them even more with a few (to the point) spoken instructions.
Why I miss sound :
I watch the complete video the first time without following along, and each time thereafter, when necessary, I can keep focussed on what I’m doing while still hearing you instruct me.

I always enjoy video tutorials much more than the traditional written tutorials (printed and electronic).
There are a couple of reason for me :
I can make you repeat the things you show (and say?) as much as required without upsetting you.
There is almost no chance of misinterpretation
(you might say to pick the selection tool, but I can see you picking the direct select tool).
BTW, I like the way you make it clear which tool from the toolbox you’re going to use next (i guess you have to because there is no sound).
I have a good use for my second monitor.

And I think that your tutorials are a better demo of what’s possible with the Xtream Path plugin’s direct segment edit tool, than the demo at the CValley website.

Looking forward to more.
Robert
bluelm wrote: May 5, 2009 at 2:18 pm

Hey Von –

I had to register to this site JUST so I could comment on this tut.

As a designer and former instructor I have to say your use of the pen tool terrifies me. I simply cannot grasp why you would choose a method that (at least in this video) takes 10x longer than just learning to use the pen tool properly.

You commented to Julper that on more complicated drawings this process is much faster than the “multiple tools” that AI forces you to use. In 12 years, I’ve never used more than 1 tool. The pen tool with some modifier keys.

I would very much like to see one of your more complicated drawings. And a tut showing how these plugins make the drawing of something complex an easier process by adding more tools and steps.

Looking forward to your reply
- bluelm
admin wrote: May 5, 2009 at 2:35 pm

Bluelm,

I require registration as to prevent comment SPAM.

I fully understand Ai has modifier keys that bake the process of creating vectors down a bit but it’s still slower than working with the CValley plugin.

As far as more complicated illustration the site has many tutorials that document that tools use and my creation of the art using it.

I’ll do more videos as time and projects permit that are more complex but more than likely it won’t be the full illustration because a video that large would just be too big. So I’ll document enough to suffice.

Not to throw down the gauntlet but I’m pretty sure I could build anything faster using the CValley plugin than you or anyone else could build using only the tools that come with Ai? I may be wrong but I suspect it’s true.

Von
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mkhandekar wrote: June 5, 2009 at 6:43 pm

Von,

The cValley plugin is the ultimate timesaver. I agree with Bluelm hat students need to learn how to use the basic tools, but once you know them, and are in the workplace where deadlines loom, this tool is really helpful.

Do you have a list of all the plugins you use for Illustrator/Photoshop?

Many many for introducing me to this plugin.

Meghana
http://www.mkhandekar.com
MWorrell67 wrote: October 19, 2009 at 7:22 am

Awesome, Von, thanks for a very helpful look under the hood.

Get ready with your rotten tomatoes, folks… here it comes: CorelDraw has offered this kind of easy, direct vector editing for years and years (and years) with no plug-ins and at a fraction of the cost, and it still does. I understand fully the limits of the program, and I use Adobe products just like everyone else. But CorelDraw is a KILLER vector rendering tool, and you can bring your finished drawings right over to Illustrator.
admin wrote: October 19, 2009 at 9:53 am

Maybe those 5 FreeHand users still hanging on to a dead app and refusing to change to Ai will instead adopt CorelDraw? Might be an easier switch?

CorelDraw lost it’s marketing viability when it stopped supporting Mac and went PC only. I think it can now run on intel Mac processors now but was unavailable long enough on the Mac to insure it would never gain those former users back who switched to Ai.

Thanks.

Von
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