Draw Better and Faster with Illustrator CC

Draw better, faster, and easier with the new tools in Illustrator CC.

Illustrator CC does something that few updates to the program have done: It promises to change the fundamental way that you draw. Yes, there was the Pen tool in Illustrator 1, Pathfinder operations in Illustrator 5, and dynamic effects in Illustrator 9. But Illustrator CC changes the entire nature of the game. Deke's not exaggerating; the things he's about to show you are that big. Learn about the "new" Pencil tool, on-the-fly corner rounding, and freeform curve bending. 3 features in 3 short chapters that will change the way you see Illustrator. Then Deke shows how to combine them all in a real-world Illustrator project that proves his thesis: drawing has never been faster, better, or easier than this.

Introduction

• Welcome

1. The Now-Useful Pencil Tool

• Drawing effortless, fluid arcs
• Extending and connecting paths
• Drawing straight and perpendicular lines
• Combining the Pencil with a drawing tablet

2. The Dynamic Round Corner Controls

• Selectively and dynamically rounding corners
• Using the hidden Corners dialog box
• Drawing complex shapes using round corners

3. New Ways to Bend and Twist Segments

• The new Anchor Point tool
• Bending segments with the Pen tool
• Free-form path bending

4. Assembling a Real-World Project

• Drawing a base polygon with the Pen tool
• Adding curves and smooth points
• Beveling and enhancing the artwork
• Tweaking a design with the Pencil tool
• Drawing multiple lines at a time
• Contour lines and opacity masks
• Creating an intricate engraving effect
• Creating an engraved drop shadow

5. More to Come

• Until next time