Points & Paths

Create a realistic LCD readout display in Illustrator

• Published 17 October 2010 
• | 6 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Techniques, Effects

I initially meant to keep this tutorial short but I soon found myself on a quest for realism so not only will you learn how to create the realistic LCD lettering display but you’ll also see how to create the interface that accompanies it. Let’s get started.... Read More

Create a metallic star in Illustrator

• Published 17 October 2010 
• | 0 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Techniques, Effects

This tutorial will show a technique to create a segmented star that, when gradient fills are applied, takes on a basic metallic appearance. A future tutorial will take these same techniques and elaborate on them to create a more realistic looking star… if you think that’s... Read More

Illustrator Student Spotlight: Vol. 1

• Published 03 May 2010 
• | 0 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Student Spotlight

In addition to running this site, I also teach several Illustrator courses at Sessions College for Professional Design. During the course of a month, I see a lot of work from students just starting out with Illustrator as well as those who have... Read More

Illustrator Questions Answered: How do I edit an effect on an object?

• Published 26 March 2010 
• | 0 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Questions Answered, Effects

Illustrator Questions Answered on Pointsandpaths.com is a regular feature that provides answers to common Illustrator questions I’ve seen asked by my students, by people online, by colleagues and by voices unseen which, basically, means me talking to myself.

Here’s the... Read More

Illustrator Freebie: Organic Tech Seamless Pattern

• Published 25 March 2010 
• | 0 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Freebies

I created the organic tech shape in a tutorial from my old site a while back and have turned it into a seamless pattern. There are 3 pattern tiles and 4 variations of each. The first tile uses only the organic tech shape while the second mixes that with some circles. The third tile uses a... Read More

Illustrator Questions Answered: How do I apply a stroke color to a mesh object?

• Published 19 March 2010 
• | 3 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Questions Answered, Meshes

Illustrator Questions Answered on Pointsandpaths.com will be a regular feature that provides answers to common Illustrator questions I’ve seen asked by my students, by people online, by colleagues and by voices unseen which, basically, means me talking to myself.

So... Read More

Trendy AquaBallz in Illustrator

• Published 16 March 2010 
• | 0 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Effects, Techniques

This is an update to a tutorial I had on my earlier website. It’s been completely rewritten for Illustrator CS4 and, I believe, simplified. So perhaps you’re hooked on the “Aqua” look and are just aching to use it in your work. Look no further Trend Boy and/or... Read More

Create a Lucky Clover in Illustrator

• Published 07 March 2010 
• | 0 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Techniques, Style

To help celebrate St. Patrick’s day and the luck of the Irish is an Illustrator tutorial on how to create a clover, four-leafed or otherwise. The basics of this project involve the use of 3 circles and some Pathfinder magic to create the clovers.

1. Draw the first circle Read More

Reports: Illustrator CS5 Available April 21 or 22

• Published 06 March 2010 
• | 0 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under News, Software

According to various sources, none of them Adobe, Adobe Illustrator CS5 will ship in late April as part of the Adobe Creative Suite. According to a report on the CS5 web site, an advert for a digital printing conference in April reads “Adobe... Read More

Easy Cartoon Clouds

• Published 03 March 2010 
• | 1 Comment(s) 
• | Filed under Effects, Techniques

This tutorial shows you a technique to create custom cartoon-like clouds that feature soft shadows. This is a complete update to another tutorial on cartoon clouds that I had written for my previous site. This version is simpler and has a better end result so let’s get... Read More