Web Design

75

CHAPTER

Get to Know the Illustrator Interface 3

A

lmost all computer graphics are either bitmaps, meaning that they are composed of small, square

pixels, or vectors, which are constructed by defining points and using mathematical algorithms

to draw lines between the points. Illustrator is an extremely powerful vector-based design tool. Many

of the logos that represent major corporations were designed in Illustrator. Like its Creative Suite

counterparts, Illustrator’s interface contains a series of panels, from which most of the program’s

features can be accessed, and a set of drawing tools.

Menu Bar

You can access

the commands in

the program from

these menus.

Bridge and

Window Tools

Launch Bridge

or arrange open

documents.

Workspace

Switcher

Change the layout

of the panels by

selecting a

different workspace.

Panels

Most of your work in Illustrator will be done with

these panels. Click a panel’s icon to expand it.

Toolbox

The drawing and other tools in the program can be

accessed from the Toolbox.

Control Bar

The items available on the Control bar differ

depending on the currently selected tool.

Document Tabs

You can switch between open documents by

selecting its tab.

Canvas

The drawing area for your document.

Artboard

The area surrounding the canvas can be used as a

virtual desktop to place items you plan to use later.