Adding type

Preparing type for print

Aligning objects

Grouping objects

Arranging objects

Transforming objects

Clipping masks

Adding type

We will begin by looking at the type tool. With a new document open go to Window/Type/Character at the menu above or hit Command and T (mac) ctrl and T (pc) to open the Type Window. Click on the Type Tool in the Toolbar, then on your document and begin typing. With your type selected take a look at the Type Window and use the two top pop-up menus to change the style of font and the remaining pop-up menus to adjust its size, leading, kerning and tracking.



Leading is the vertical space between lines of type, which is measured from the baseline of one line of text to the baseline of the line above it. As a rule the leading of your type is usually three points larger than the size of the actual text. If your type is 12pt your leading will be around 15pt. Kerning is the addition or subtraction of space between two characters. Tracking is the loosening or tightening of spacing between the characters in selected text or an entire block of text.

If you return to the Type Tool (on the Tool Pallet) and click and hold the icon down you will notice that seven different type tools appear on a pop out menu. Each one has a different function.

Draw a polygon on your document. Select the Area Type Tool and click on the top line of the polygon you just created.



As you begin typing you will notice that the type will stay inside the area of the polygon you have drawn. The Area Type Tool changes the closed path of an object or shape into a container for your type. The Vertical Area Type tool behaves as dose the area type tool only in a vertical direction.



You can also achieve a similar result using the Type Tool. By clicking and dragging a square outline on your document (using the Type Tool) you are in fact creating a container for your type. The Vertical Type tool behaves, as does the Type Tool only in a vertical direction.



Now draw a circle and select the Path Type Tool. Click on the outline of your circle and begin typing. You will notice that the Path Type Tool changes the path of an object or path to type paths. The Vertical Path Type Tool behaves, as does the Path Type tool only in a vertical direction.



When using Path Type Tools and Area Type Tools make sure not to click an existing object or shape, as it will convert the object or shape into area type or type on a path.

Preparing type for print

Before you race off to the printer with your final artwork you will need to convert your type to outlines. Only do this once you have finished formatting your type as once it is converted to an outline you are no longer able to edit it. Converting your type to outlines means that the computer you are printing from recognises it as a shape and not as a font. If you use a font that the system you're printing from doesn't have, your font will change to the next closest font family or a default font, which will not look so great. Obviously converting your font to outlines will avoid this change over in type.

To do this select your type and on the above menu go to Type/Create Outlines. Your text when it is selected should now look like this

Aligning objects

Draw three circles, each with a different colour and have each one positioned so that they are overlapping one another. Go to Window/Align at the above menu or hit shift and f7 (mac + pc) select all three circles and click the Vertical Align Bottom icon in the Align Pallet . We would also like them to be spaced evenly so click the Horizontal Distribute Space icon



Make sure that auto is selected in the drop down menu beside it.

Try moving one circle down a few centimetres and then realigning the other circles to align to its new position. To do this, select all your circles again but before you hit the Vertical Align Bottom icon click on the lowest circle once more before aligning them. When you hit the Vertical Align Bottom icon the other two circles should align to the lowest circle.

Grouping objects

When your designs become more complex you will want to group certain shapes together, to make many separate objects function as a single item. Select all three circles and go to Object/Group from the above menu or hit Command and G (mac) ctrl and G (pc) to group the three circles as one. Object/Ungroup from the above menu or Command and Shift and G (mac) ctrl and Shift and G (pc) will ungroup objects.

Arranging objects

Grouping objects is very easy but in some cases grouping an object may change the stacking order of your shapes and objects. Illustrator has many useful functions for arranging elements in your document. We have had a quick look at the Layers Pallet however there is an actual stacking order to each element you draw within each layer.

To change the arrangement of an object ungroup your circles and select one of the circles that is slightly overlapped by another and go to Object/Arrange/Bring to Front in the menu above. As you can see in the Arrange menu there are four options that help you to arrange the stacking order of your graphics.

Transforming objects

Transforming objects and shapes allows you to modify graphics relative to their centre points or move their reference point anywhere in the document window. You can also create a copy of the object you wish to transform without changing the original.

Draw a rectangle that has a stroke and no fill. With your shape selected go to Object/Transform/Rotate from the above menu to bring up the Rotate Panel. You should see something like this.



Type 90 next to Angle. If you were to press ok you would end up with your rectangle at a 90 degrees angle from where it is positioned from its centre point. If you click the Preview check box you will be able to see what that looks like and adjust your angle to your liking.



You could hit ok and your original rectangle would be modified, however you could hit copy and retain your original in case you need a master graphic as a reference point. If you hit Copy a rotated rectangle of your original will appear directly over the centre of the original. You may end up with something like this.



To rotate an object from a point other than its centre registration point select your rectangle once more and click on the Rotate Tool in the Tool Pallet Click on one end of your rectangle with the Rotate Tool. By doing this you are actually changing the registration point of your rectangle. Now click on the opposite end of your rectangle and drag your shape around to another position. You will notice that as you drag it, the shape is rotating from the new registration point you just set.

This basic process of transforming objects applies to the remaining transform options under the Object/Transform menu.

Clipping masks

Clipping Masks are used to mask or hide areas of a vector based design or a group of vector objects. You will be masking areas of your swatch design by using the outline of the watchband or face as a Clipping Mask to position your design in the swatch template.

Draw a square on your document and then an oval over it that is longer than the square that you just drew but not wider. Make sure that the circle is in front of your square. You should have something like this.



Select both objects and go to Object/Clipping Mask/Make on the menu above to create a Clipping Mask. Your graphic should look something like this.



What you have just done is used the objects outline on the upper most stacking order (the oval) to mask the object beneath it. If you select your masked object you will notice that they are now grouped together. A simple Object/Ungroup will not work on Clipping Masks. Select your Clipping Mask and go to Object/Clipping Mask/Release on the menu above.

You will notice that you are left with a square but if you hit Command and A (mac) crtl and a (pc) to select all. You will see the outline of your oval as shown below.



Why? you may ask. When you create a Clipping Mask the shape or object used as the actual Clipping Mask will change to an object without a stroke or fill. When you release a Clipping Mask this becomes more obvious.

Understanding Clipping Masks will become important when you use the outline of your watchband to mask your designs. To avoid any difficulties it is a good idea to duplicate the watchband object and use that as a Clipping Mask.

Remember, the objects you mask are moved into the same layer as the object that you used as a Clipping Mask. If you use a layer or group to create a Clipping Mask, the first object in the layer or group (remember we spoke about stacking order) will mask everything beneath it. When you create a Clipping Mask the shape or object used as the actual Clipping Mask will change to an object without a stroke or fill.

Create

Please create a small composition consisting of simple shapes to add to your workbook. Think about how you can look at any object and break its basic elements down to a simple circle, square and triangle. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just an example of what you have explored.