This tutorial shows how to make a rainbow of colored gel buttons based on a single master button. Anyone with intermediate level skills should be able to follow this tutorial. There are similar tutorials on making gel buttons but all of them I have seen are pixel-based and use image editing programs to create the effect. This tutorial uses a drawing program. The advantage is that merely by changing the color values of the individual objects in the master button you can create a button of any color. With a pixel-based program you virtually have to make the button from scratch each time you want to change the color. You can only use programs that support vector objects, live (editable) bitmap effects and transparency for this kind of button. Adobe® Illustrator 9 fits the bill. I can't think of an easier way to create these buttons because, as you will experience for yourself, changing the color of the button is nothing more than a couple of clicks away.

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

The purpose of this section of the web site is to take apart a vector drawing so you can see how it is put together and able to understand it. In the illustration section is a table of equivalent terminology to better help you translate the terms from one application to another. This will clarify the subject and make it less confusing. You will not be bound to a single application once this becomes clear to you.

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

This tutorial will guide you through the process of designing business cards and postcards in Illustrator as well as providing press-ready templates to get you started quickly.
Versions 9, 10, CS, CS2, CS3, CS4

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

There are dozens of ways in Adobe Illustrator to combine objects to produce new shapes or effects. But one of the most creative--and probably least known--is the opacity mask. With this technique, you can combine an object with one or more other objects to define transparent areas of the shape. You can even use Opacity Masks to create image effects on live type.

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

Gradient fills in Illustrator, in their most basic form, work very much like a solid fill. You must create an object, and then fill with the gradient. Colors, color distribution and angle of the fill are edited through the Gradient palette. However, there is also a Gradient tool that will give you even more control.

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

Learn how to fill text with gradients and use blends to create graduated color fills.

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

Vector graphics increase in value when they leap program boundaries. We will show you how to cross the line from Illustrator to Photoshop.

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

What's the difference between Filters and Effects?

They're both on the menu, and they both seem to offer the same things...so what is the difference? Let's see here! :)

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

Selecting objects in a complex Illustrator file can sometimes be frustrating. We share our favorite techniques for homing in quickly on just the objects you need.

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago

Illustrator's tools are powerful, but sometimes they can't do the job without help. One of the problems we quickly discovered was aligning anything except the simplest shapes. Circles and rectangles of unit sizes were easy, but more complex shapes made up of multiple pieces were a big problem. With some effort, we found a method that works.

submitted: 5 years and 3708 days ago