Advanced Techniques

Blend Tool

• Select the Blend Tool from the toolbar and apply it between objects;
• The blend smoothly transitions both shape and color;
• You can enter the isolation mode to move blended objects individually on the artboard;
• You can access the blend options by double-clicking the blend tool. Adjust settings like smooth color or specified steps to control the transition;
• Use the "Object > Blend > Blend Options" menu for more control, like reversing the order of blending or expanding the blend into editable shapes.

Symbols

• Go to Window > Symbols to open the symbols panel. Illustrator has preset symbols and symbol libraries that you can explore;
• Symbols can be resized, edited, and placed into your artboard;
• Editing a symbol affects all instances of that symbol. When editing, Illustrator will warn you about this;
• You can enter symbol editing mode (similar to isolation mode), make changes, and exit. All copies of the symbol will update automatically;
• You can create custom symbols and after creating your symbol, drag it to the symbols panel;
• Choose between static (like the flower example, where all copies remain the same) or dynamic (allows you to change individual instances' colors and sizes without affecting the original symbol);
• When placed on the artboard, the symbol keeps the size it was recorded/inserted with;
• Designers often use symbols to store variations of logos or other reusable elements for quick access in new projects;
• You can save a symbol library for future projects, making it a useful way to organize branding elements across different clients or projects;
• The Symbol Sprayer Tool lets you spray symbols like paint across the artboard;
• There are additional symbol tools for further customization (e.g., altering symbol size, density), though they are not commonly used;
• Symbols are underutilized but can be very effective for organizing and maintaining consistency across designs. They save time by allowing you to reuse and modify elements efficiently.

Perspective Drawing

• Select the Perspective Grid Tool from the toolbar to display the grid, which can be adjusted to suit different perspectives;
• You can modify the height, bottom border, size of squares, and grid extension using different anchor points;
• Adjusting the horizon line changes the perspective, such as creating a bottom-to-top view (for tall buildings) or a top-down view;
• You can modify the orientation of the perspective using anchor points on the grid. For architectural designs or precise perspectives (e.g., front, side, or top views of a building), adjusting these settings helps achieve the desired layout;
• The widget allows you to choose which part of the grid you are drawing on (left, right, or horizontal grid). For example:
  • The left grid is represented by the blue side;
  • The right grid is represented by the orange side;
  • The horizontal grid (top or bottom view) can be adjusted as needed;
• Shapes drawn will automatically snap to the selected grid's perspective;
• To hide the grid, click the "X" on the grid or go to View > Perspective Grid > Hide Grid;
• You can also choose from 1-point, 2-point, or 3-point perspective options for specific types of drawings;
• You can save your adjusted grid as a preset for future use;
• The three-point grid has three vanishing points, often used for 3D drawings like buildings, where you have two sides and a top view;
• Use this tool to select and adjust objects drawn within the grid, or snap a normally drawn shape into the perspective grid;
• You can also toggle to no active grid, meaning new shapes will be drawn normally (without snapping to a grid).