Meeting Recap: Graphics Tips for the Technical Communicator

by Christina Eftekhar

Aimee Streicher, a Carolina Chapter member, showed a small group some tips and techniques for working in Adobe Illustrator CS3.

First, Aimee explained the difference between the color modes CMYK and RGB. Next, she explained the difference between the most common graphic outputs, PNG and JPEG.

During Aimee’s demonstration, Aimee showed how to start a new illustration from scratch and explained the different tool bars and pallets. She showed how to draw lines, place and change arrowheads, how to add text and use colors, and how to use layers to provide text in other languages.

Here are some interesting tips Aimee shared during her demonstration:

- Press {SPACEBAR} to switch to the hand tool.

- To add arrowheads select Effect > Stylize > Add Arrowheads.

- To change the arrowhead:

1. Select the arrowhead.
2. Click the Appearance palette.
3. Double-click Add Arrowhead.
4. Use the dialogue box to change the arrowhead’s style or location.
5. Click OK.

- To get a perfect square, select the Rectangle tool + {SHIFT}.

- To import objects and images, select File > Place.

- The Anti-Alias function during the export process is used to smooth edges. This is mostly used for online work. Uncheck this box for print jobs.

- To save as EPS (Illustrator file), crop the image to remove unwanted whitespace. Select File > Save As > Illustrator EPS, and then click Save.

For more tips and help, visit these Illustrator tutorials:
http://www.lynda.com
http://www.vtc.com/products/Adobe-Illustrator-CS3-Tutorials.htm
http://www.trainstation.cc/Tutorials/Illustrator/illustratortutorials.html
http://graphicdesign.about.com/od/illustratortutotirals /Adobe_illustrator_Tutotirals.htm

Aimee's professional background is as a technical illustrator, graphic designer, and desktop publisher. She has worked primarily in the corporate environment, mostly in either illustrating or documentation departments. In her spare time, Aimee draws and paints watercolors.

Aimee’s website is http://www.aimeesartsite.com/


Christina can be reached at c dot s dot eftekhar at gmail dot com.

---