Chapter 8 without getting hopelessly lost. On the other hand, if you’re determined to find out as much about the program as possible, you can read the book from cover to cover. I organized the book so that the chapters move from simple to more complex concepts. The early chapters make a good base for understanding the latter ones.
Use this book as both a reference book and an on-site trainer for Adobe Illustrator. To find out more about a specific feature, look for it in the Index or Table of Contents. To get a more in-depth feel for the feature, follow the step-by-step instructions that accompany the information on the major features.By and large, people get more out of doing than out of reading about doing. Adobe Illustrator is a classic case-in-point. Don’t bother to memorize anything in this book. Instead, pick up a concept, work with it in Illustrator for a while, and then come back to the book when you’re ready for something new. Above all, have fun with it! Adobe Illustrator is one of the coolest programs on the planet. With a little practice, you can be creating illustrations that knock your socks off.
Note | Because I realize that some folks use PCs and some folks use Macs, I try to offer commands for both Windows and Macintosh platforms. Occasionally I offer information specific to one platform or the other, including keyboard shortcuts. While you journey through this book, you’ll see that many figures (those that show you what you see on-screen) are a mixed bag of all things Mr. Gates and Mr. Jobs. |