Supercharge Your Illustrator Skill Set
Session by Tony Harmer (a.k.a. The Design Ninja) - Adobe MAX 2024
Session Overview: Explore advanced Illustrator tips, shortcuts, and new features to enhance your workflow.
Speaker: Tony Harmer, illustrator, artist, and educator
(Instagram: @tonyharmer)
Creating a Layout Grid and Custom Guides
Grid Setup:
Start with a rectangle, then go to Object > Path > Split Into Grid to set rows/columns with gutters (e.g., 8mm gutter for an 8x6 grid).
Shortcut: Press CMD + 5 (Mac) or Ctrl + 5 (Windows) to convert the shapes to guides.
Advanced Tip: Save this grid as a reusable asset or template if your design often relies on structured layouts.
Quick Fill and Layer Shortcuts
Fill Shortcuts:
Press , for a solid fill.
Press . to apply a gradient fill.
Press / for no fill.
Useful Layer Shortcuts:
Hide Layers: Use Command + ; to quickly toggle layer visibility.
Quick Open for Embedded Files: Hold Option + Double Click to directly access embedded files instead of navigating folders.
In-Lab Shot!
I really enjoyed the lab sessions at MAX; hard to take notes but nice to physically follow along!
Pathfinder and Non-Destructive Techniques
Pathfinder Tip:
Hold Option with the Pathfinder tools to combine shapes in a non-destructive way, maintaining editable layers and paths.
Advanced Technique:
Using Image Trace for Gradients: Now capable of preserving gradient-filled objects in traced images, ideal for converting raster images into editable vector gradients.
Efficient Use of Layer and View Options
Layer Management:
Holding Option in Layer view will hide all other layers temporarily, making focused editing easier.
Additional Paste Options: Use Command + F to paste elements in place, ensuring alignment across artboards or design variations.
Text and Pen Tool Enhancements
Touch Type Tool:
Activate with Shift + T to individually adjust each character without converting text to outlines. Perfect for customizing typography.
Quick Pen Tool:
The newly added Quick Pen Tool is accessible from the Pen Tool dropdown. It’s a faster, more intuitive pen for quick shape creation with customizable options.
