Computer graphics can be divided into two types — raster and vector graphics. While raster graphics are more suitable for photographs due to its ability to emphasize all their colorfulness, vector graphics are actively used by designers to create logos and other visual elements. Its main advantage is that it does not lose its quality when scaled, since it is based on mathematical formulas rather than on a grid of pixels, like bitmaps.

One of the most popular and high-quality programs for working with vector graphics is Adobe Illustrator. This is a kind of flagship among similar programs, which contains a large number of functions and features. We will tell you about them.

What is this program for?

Adobe Illustrator is designed for creating various graphic layouts. As a rule, Illustrator is used by graphic artists, designers, and decorators who need to illustrate an image or text, rather than draw pictures on their own.

Initially, Adobe Illustrator was originally designed only for working with vector graphics, but designers and artists have adapted it for creating advertisements, posters, postcards, and illustrations on websites, in newspapers, and magazines.

Main functions

The main functions of Adobe Illustrator are listed below:

• Working with geometric shapes. In Illustrator, you can work with shapes — combine them, subtract them, augment them with other outlines, and so on. Geometric shapes are often the basis for icons and logos, so working with them is a fundamental thing for any designer;

• Creating illustrations. You can make colorful illustrations with shapes, lines, and outlines, as well as apply various effects and textures. In Adobe Illustrator, you can create any shape, overlay it with layers, and apply various effects: gradients, shadows, textures, etc.;

• Raster graphics tracing. Illustrator allows you to convert a raster image into a vector image in a couple of clicks;

• Editing outlines. Draw on your own with the Pen tool or edit other people's illustrations. You can download designs in Ai-format from stock images and edit each element;

• Applying fills. In Adobe Illustrator you can easily apply different fills to objects and paths;

• Preparing for printing. You can prepare business cards, posters, or huge billboards for printing. Since vector graphics are scalable to any size, Illustrator can create billboards the size of an entire house. The file export options allow you to customize the color profile for printing, as well as select the desired format;

• Working with artboards. With the help of artboards, it is convenient, for example, to make banners for a site in different sizes;

• Convert text to curves. You can convert any text in Adobe Illustrator to curves, that is, make a vector, similar to the tracing function. This allows you to work with it as a full-fledged vector image — change the shape of letters, make a logo or a beautiful inscription, etc.;

• Creating brushes. By making your own brushes, you can add even more uniqueness to your illustrations. If you do not have enough time to create your own brushes, you can download them from third-party resources.

This variety of features has made Adobe Illustrator a favorite among many designers around the world.

Workspace

The workspace is located in the main program window on the left side. It is equipped with buttons with special tools for work, among which there are:

• Direct and standard selection. It helps to select objects as a whole or using spaced points and outline segments.;

• Magic Wand which is able to select objects with similar or identical attributes and properties;

• Pen — helps you draw straight or curved lines, add new objects and edit old ones;

• Anchor Points are a series of tools for generating, deleting and transforming points in contours;

• Line segment, arc, spiral, rectangle — geometric shapes consisting of curved or straight lines;

• Text — helps you to add text in a limited space with a vertical or horizontal orientation with the selected content and the desired formatting (size, font, typeface, etc.);

• Brush — helps you draw freeform lines, patterns, contours and objects;

• Gradient — a tool for filling the selected area with a color with specified start and end points of the shade;

• Eyedropper — necessary to collect information about the selected color, text, or design element.

In turn, the right side of the interface contains the information panels and menus needed to collect information about images, text, curves and layers added to the canvas. From here, the user can view recent activities, add guides and artboards..