Vector Art: AD360

COURSE CALENDAR | WEEK 07 CLASS OUTLINE | Homework |

Midterm Project review.

STEP TWO: Template Setup
1. Make a final sketch of your Building or View. You may use photographs or found images as reference, but the drawing should be your own.
2. Scan the drawing so the output is approximately 600x800 pixels, 150 dpi.
3. Save it as a jpg.
4. In Photoshop, if necessary, increase the contrast, Posterize, add poster edges or cut-out filter or Threshold to create a graphic tracing image with strong outlines.
STEP THREE: Specifications and Execution
1. Setting up your Illustrator file. (we may adjust this later)
  - Size: 8.5 x 11 inches (600 x 800px)
  - CMYK
2. Next "place" (File > Place) the template image as a template layer (tracing image) in Illustrator. Choose the template and link check boxes and click ok.
3. Use named layers to organize different elements in your illustration.
4. Use the Bezier Pen Tool to outline the outer edges or use basic shapes and the addtoshape (pathfinder) build up of each part of your illustration. You will toggle between OUTLINE and PREVIEW mode in order to achieve accurate curves.
5. You can approach the illustration in different ways. One way is to outline the mid-tones, shadows and highlights that define the structure of the illustration first. Create broad closed paths to start, then add detail when the main areas have been defined. Another approach (if you are creating a comicbook style) might be to define all the outline areas first and then go back in and add broad paths of color.
6. Use named layers to organize different elements in your illustration.
7. Create your own colors in the color palette. Remember to save and label your color swatches. Toggle between Outline and Preview to see your progress.
8. When you are finished, zoom into your illustration and clean up any stray paths, unnecessary or redundant anchor points.

Discussion

Using basic shapes and add to shape pathfinder

Use the basic shapes tools to build up a form by overlapping closed, filled shapes.
Choose Window > Pathfinder to bring up the pathfinder palette.
Select all shapes to unite and click the first icon in the palette> Add to Shape.
Next press the Expand button.

Optimizing images for online distribution (GIF, JPG)

WEB
1. Set the Document Color Mode is set to RGB. You may need to adjust your color swatches after conversion.
2. Make sure there are no stray points or paths around the image.
3. Select all and open the Transform palette.
4. Click on the chain link icon to constrain width and height proportions. Change the width so that it's 200 pixels wide.
5. Go to File > Save For Web.
6. Select the 2-Up Tab in the upper left corner. This will allow you to see your original and optimized image at the same time.
7. Select GIF, Selective, Diffusion, Transparent, Colors > 256, Dither 100%, Web Snap 0%. Use this screen shot for reference. (If the preview in the optimized tab looks speckled, you may need to save your file as a jpg.)
8. Click Save.
9. Save your image as a GIF.
10. Name this file with your firstinital and lastname _web.gif. (Example: jsmith_web.gif)

Homework | Week 7

MIDTERM PROJECT IS DUE next class. DO NOT MISS THIS CRITIQUE CLASS!!!

Prepare for the Midterm Critique:

Students will present Midterm Projects to the class
Late projects will not be accepted. **
Missing or arriving late to the critique automatically reduces your grade by half.

Prepare your finished files as follows:

Name your files with your name and the project title.
- jsmith_midterm.ai
- jsmith_essay.rtf
- jsmith_web.gif
Put all files (illustrator, gif, scanned template, and essay) in a folder with your first initial, last name.
Drop the folder in the ad360_DropBox on the ADGA server (10.10.110.16)
Create a backup on CD to turn in.

**Your project must be dropped in the dropbox within the first 15 minutes of class otherwise it will be considered LATE and will not be accepted.

The Rubric that will be used to grade your project has been defined. Please read it before turning in your project.