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People generally ask: which is better Photoshop or Illustrator for manipulating text? According to experts the answer is: Illustrator – many consider it to be the best program available.
One has to learn the basics, along with effectively using the tools that are available; this basic knowledge is necessary in creating an error free outcome.
How it works
Text in Adobe Illustrator can be created in 2D, 3D as well as in color. Follow the steps below to learn how to compose text in Illustrator:
For a simple design, draw a straight line using the pen tool (available in the tool panel: Window > Tools). Turn this line into an arc by using the Convert Anchor Point tool under the pen tools and dragging out an anchor point to create an arc.
From the Type tool (also located in the tool panel) select “Type on Path”. Click at the start of your line (generally the left) and type a word or short sentence. Your text should follow the path of arc.
Next, go to Window > Type to bring up the Type panel. Change the font, font size and font color to your liking. Under the paragraph menu select “Left” align.
If your text needs to be moved along the path, choose the Direct Select Tool from the tool panel and click on the left bracket; drag it in the direction you want. To change the alignment of the text go to Type > Type on Path > Type on Path Options; there will be four options in the drop down menu: center, baseline, ascender and descender. Ascender moves the text below the path, descender moves the text above the path, center creates the text in the middle of the path and baseline is the default option.
Important Considerations
- It’s better to type text in the text box
- Text and images work better when created in the same layer
- Colored text works best at larger sizes, such as 700×300 pixels
- Full concentration on letter groupings, adjustments of height and perspective must be taken into consideration when working in 3D
For beginners, Adobe Illustrator is something that can easily help you learn several aspects about composing and working with text and images. Go for Illustrator, it has many unique features over other programs out there.
About the author:
Kelly is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Besides this she is fond of technology. Recently an article on angelina jolie gallery attracted her attention. These days she is busy in writing an article on Terracotta Tiles.
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All apologies to those who were effected/affected by my recent hard drive/computer problems. Unfortunately all was lost, fortunately my parents fronted me some $$ to get a new computer and I’m all hooked up and ready to get back at it. Thanks Mom & Dad; love you both!
Right now I’m working on getting everything back to the way it was before the problems started.
To everyone that’s emailed me, I’m working on responding, if you don’t hear from me in the next few days please drop me a line again. I may have accidentally deleted it while sorting through the thousands of spam mail I’ve received 
To all the clients whose projects I was working on, and have lost in full or in part, I will try my best to bring them back up to par over the next handful of days (at no expense to you of course!). Once I have all my programs and files loaded I will begin working on any projects immediately.
Blog readers, new content is coming, if you have anything to submit to help fill in the gaps while I get my work back together please send it in ASAP: http://blog.theraisak.com/submit
To all you online shoppers, I will update my stores within the next couple of weeks with new designs and products. If you haven’t stopped by my shops in awhile, please feel to browse through them, a few of them do have new designs that I posted before my computer went belly up.
To those waiting for my Illustrator tutorial book, unfortunately it was lost, but I started writing a new version that looks even better than the first. I hope to have it out by the end of the summer!
Over a week without a computer, the internet and a cell with no data plan can really make you feel like you’re living in the “dark” ages. No instant access to information or communication with the outside world. Talk about feeling “out of the loop”.
Though I’ll admit there are some great benefits of not being plugged in like: getting lots of fresh air, loosing a few pounds, going to places you haven’t been to in ages (Brantford Tourism Center!!!); having happier kids & pets, a cleaner house; getting some paperback books read and finishing lots of crossword puzzle books.
What was missed the most?
- Google Maps (though I now have a brand new map of Brantford in paper format!)
What would you miss the most?
Print off this cute cat and mouse coloring page for your kids:
You will need a PDF reader such as Acrobat Reader to view and print this file. Simply download the file, print it and color away. Don’t forget to send us copies of your master pieces to display on the blog!
All coloring pages are available under a personal use license; all other uses are strictly prohibited. For more information about additional licensing of our work please contact us. Thanks!
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Strawberries are my favorite summer time treat and since here in Canada we just celebrated the Victoria Day / May 2-4 / 1st Day of Summer long weekend, what better way to kick off the short week with a berry fun tutorial!
Jumping right into it. Open Illustrator and with the Ellipse tool draw an Oval. With the Convert Anchor Point tool (under the Pen Tools) click the bottom anchor of your oval to bring it to a point; before letting go, drag your cursor to make the point slightly rounded. If you find yourself creating a “loop” simply drag your cursor in the other direction. This is the bottom of your strawberry’s body.
With the Direct Selection Tool (white pointer) click the top anchor point of the strawberry to activate it. Press and hold the Down Arrow Key on your keyboard until you have a “flat top”. You can keep your strawberry as is or you can create a dip in the top by using the Add Anchor Point tool (pen with a plus sign) to create two new anchor points where the top starts to bend. With the Direct Selection Tool select the top/middle anchor point and hold the Down Arrow Key until you have a nice gentle dip. The body of the strawberry is done, now for the leaves.
There’s two ways of doing the leaves: points facing up and points facing down. Its completely up to you how you’d like your’s to look. If you don’t like it one way, its super simple to create the other look by rotating and swapping sides!
So, to create the leaves where the tops are round and bottoms are pointy: use the Ellipse tool and draw a small oval; with the Convert Anchor Point tool select the bottom point then press and hold the Down Arrow Key until you have an upside down tear drop shape. Select it with the Selection Tool (black pointer) and copy and paste it (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V). Rotate the copy slightly to the left (or right – it really doesn’t matter); then copy/paste the rotated version; now right click on your canvas, select Transform > Reflect > Vertical > OK. You should have a mirror image of your first copy. Place your leaves so that all points come together (it’s OK if they overlap) and bring the center leaf to the front (Ctrl+Shift+] ).
If you’d like the points to be facing upwards instead of downwards, simply select all three copies of your leaves, hold the Shift Key and Rotate the leaves until the points are facing up; now move the left leaf to the right side and the right leaf to the left side of the center leaf and bring the center leaf to the front.
Now here’s where you can go off on your own and create your own unique strawberry by filling it with color and maybe even seeds! Here’s how mine turned out:
How did your yummy vector strawberry turn out? Post a link to your strawberry in the comments!
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- Create a Vector Tulip in Illustrator (theraisak.com)
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One of the most important factors to succeed in any business is your network. They will initially come from your family and friends however, in time, you will need to expand your professional network. Despite the advent of modern technology, what remains to be, arguably, the best ways to expand your reach is the distribution of business calling cards.
Calling cards can be considered a formal representative of your company or in other words, your spokesperson. Your first impression with prospective business clients and/or partners can hinge on how your calling card is designed. As the saying goes, first impressions last. You have to stand out above the rest in order to gain that much-needed attention. Here are some easy tips to ponder on:
1. Content
Your main purpose is to clearly communicate all the pertinent details such as your business name, tagline, name of business contact, designation and relevant contact information (contact numbers, email address, etc.). Don’t forget to insert your company logo. This serves as the unique identifier of your brand. You may also want to put a brief outline of your services at the back of the card. Use font highlight techniques such as bold, underline, italics, etc. in emphasizing the important points. Create a tagline that can easily be recalled. In other words, make it catchy.
2. Keep it short and simple.
Staying concise is the key. You don’t want to insert any unnecessary data that could “turn-off” your target audience. Time is gold and this would apply to most people in the business world. You are not submitting a full proposal. You’re just introducing yourself. Moreover, big words have no place here. Make sure to display your sincerity and your professionalism. Be creative but stick to your company’s image and theme.
3. Clarity
The layout of your calling card is very important. If the presentation is all messed up, it will affect your target audience’s impression of your professionalism. Maximize every space in your calling card. The “DIY” attitude might not be the best recourse if you have no experience in designing. Don’t be afraid or too cheap to seek professional help if need be. At the very least, seek the opinion of your other team members.
4. Print it on good paper
Yes, even the paper the calling card is printed on matters. You don’t want to look cheap in front of your prospective clients. Just as you suit up for client proposals and presentations, you should “suit up” your calling cards. Invest in a high quality paper that can withstand certain damaging conditions such as water spills, long storage in wallets and desk drawers. An example of a good quality paper would be one with a satin matte finish and can also have glossy coating applied on it.
Don’t forget to think outside of the box. You don’t have to stick to the traditional rectangular shape that calling cards have been known for. If you are a graphic design company, then that’s all the more reason for you to get creative.
Calling cards reflect your company’s image. It can also be considered the “face of your company.” As such, make sure to always put your best foot forward. Treat it as if you’re courting your boyfriend/girlfriend. You don’t want to get busted on your first date, do you?
Author bio:
Alexis Thompson is a former Mountain Backpacker and a 26 year old mother of 2 daughters, Sophie and Rhian. She is into almost all types of Music especially The Fray and Hillsong. She also has a passion in Singing and Scrap Booking. Follow her escapades on her Twitter.
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Download and print out a copy of this happy hippo wading in water for your kids to color and enjoy:
You will need a PDF reader such as Acrobat Reader to view and print this file. Simply download the file, print it and color away. Don’t forget to send us copies of your master pieces to display on the blog!
All coloring pages are available under a personal use license; all other uses are strictly prohibited. For more information about additional licensing of our work please contact us.
In this tutorial I will show you how to create a closed rose using Adobe Illustrator. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to check out our Open Rose tutorial and even Rosy Stationary Tutorial.
The first technique we will be using shapes (spiral and ellipse), the second technique we will be drawing it “freehand” with the brush tool. Choose whichever technique is easiest for you or try them both!
The Shape Technique
Grab the Ellipse tool and draw an Oval on your artboard. With the Scissors tool, cut the top off of your oval and delete it. Next take your Spiral tool and draw a spiral, place it over the open end of your oval. With the Direct Selection tool, grab the loose end of the spiral and join it to the spiral (so it creates a “closed” spiral instead of an open-ended one). With the Selection tool, grab the bottom of your spiral and drag it upwards (to squish the spiral horizontally), if needed adjust it so that the ends of your spiral touch or slightly overhang your oval. Select your oval & spiral and fill it with red, pink, white or any other rosy color and you’re done.
The Freehand Technique
Grab the Brush tool. Draw a U-shape then a spiral. If you want it to look a little more whimsical, make the U a little pointy at the bottom and draw it in one continuous line; or if you’ve created two separate shapes, connect them. The choice is yours! Fill it with pink, red, white, or any other color of your choice.
Like this tutorial? Share it!
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Wishing all the mom’s out there a very happy Mother’s Day!
May your day be filled with peace and quiet and lots of love and attention from family and friends alike.
Happy Mother’s Day from Theraisa K 
