An Illustrator Novice
A Look from a Different Perspective

Sufficient articles and reviews have been posted and published concerning the NeXT version of Illustrator from Adobe to enable almost anyone to decide if the program is the answer to their needs. Anyone, that is, who already has a pretty good idea of the capabilities of this type of program and who generally knows what kind of output they are looking for. But how does this program fit the needs of a new NeXT user who doesn't have the skills of a graphic design artist and has never used a high end computer graphics package? Most of the reviews I have read seem to be written by people who are relatively experienced with computers and programs and nearly all agree that Illustrator version 3.0 is the best software available for creating illustrations.

Missing from these reports is the feeling of awe and uncertainty I felt and I'm sure a lot of other first time users will feel upon first launching this program. We're talking industrial strength graphics capability here and the array of features available tends to be a little overwhelming. Another omission I've noticed is the lack of `tongue-in-cheek' comments and tips that help put a novice more at ease about using a new product. The lack of cute remarks is most probably due to this being a very serious product reviewed by people with a professional purpose, but a small amount of levity helps allay the fears of the unknown. I recently had the opportunity to use Illustrator for the first time and without attempting to review the program, I offer my first impressions and thoughts as a new user.

The Illusive Intuitive Interface

I must admit, I installed the program and tried to use it before I opened the first book. As an ex-Macintosh user, I remember doing that with MacPaint. Using MacPaint, with no instruction, I was able to exercise most of the tools available and produce an acceptable picture. This shoot and ask questions later approach even worked with a few later programs. Well, when it comes to learning Illustrator, Macpaint it ain't. After four years of Macintosh experience, I really feel comfortable working with computer programs that adhere to a consistent graphical user interface. Still, to me, an intuitive program is intuitive only after I've figured out where the author decided to put everything and I've deciphered all the icons. 

When Illustrator opens, you know right away that the programmers expected you to read a little before getting this far. The only thing displayed at first is the main menu. No tools, no drawing window, not even a help item in the menu. You must select File from the menu and then choose what you want to open from a dialog box. This is logical, though, because not only doesn't the program know whether you want to open an existing file or create a new one, Illustrator can use different templates when creating new files. Of course WriteNow uses the same logic and it displays an untitled document window upon startup. Which leads us to Intuitive Interface Axiom No. 1 - after reading the documentation, all new application programs become intuitive.

Neophytes Know Nothing 

New applications are confusing because the new user needs time to make mental connections between what the program is capable of doing and what he is trying to accomplish. There is always an acclimation period during which you become able to equate a desired result with an implementation method in the program. This time frame is necessary because the user learns the capabilities of the program in a structured order from an instruction book instead of as a natural flow of idea - action - result. The more capable a program, the longer it takes to learn how to progress smoothly from a mental image to a graphic representation of that idea. Illustrator is a very capable graphics program.

I use a commercial CADD program in my job and have a fair understanding of the elements and manipulations necessary to make an engineering drawing. I feel the selection of tools available in Illustrator probably exceed the general requirements for producing illustration style graphics; which means it will stay ahead of your learning curve for quite awhile. In fact a lot of new users may be unaware of the advanced graphic effects being presented today which require the use of many of the capabilities available in this program. Not knowing the result, they would never think to find out how to use the feature. So, tip number one, take time to read the documentation. You may not need everything that's available now, but you will be aware of it if you ever do.

For all its power and complexity, Illustrator is a very fun program to use. Remember, graphics must be seen. Regardless of how much you read or hear, the only way to really appreciate this program is to see what it can do, so jump in and play with it.

Beware the Bezier

If, like me, you are used to constructing drawings using simple lines and arcs, be prepared when you generate your first element using Bezier curves. The Bezier curve is simply a mathematical way to define a graphical element which looks anything but simple when displayed. This is the only method used for defining elements in Illustrator, but it is very powerful and an excellent means of creating free form art. Illustrator calls its line elements paths and the big tip here is just go ahead and lay the path down approximately where you want it without worrying about the exact placement.

The picture at right shows just the anchor points of a path. Not shown are the two control points associated with each anchor which determine the degree and direction of the path on each side of the anchor. Illustrator provides all the necessary tools needed to manipulate the placement after it is in the file. In fact, this is what makes the Bezier curve so useful. You have complete control over the elements in the file at any time in any degree of adjustment. The instructions dispel the mystery and the only way to learn is by doing so, as I said before, just jump in and play with it.

Deep Docs

The set of books that come with this program are very nicely done with spiral bindings which make them easy to lay out flat and still hold your place. A tutorial manual filled with graphics and screen shots begins with the freehand tool and proceeds through simple lines and curves, shapes, type, transformations, the auto trace tool, patterns and graphs. After completing the examples in this book, you will be aware of most of the features of the program and know how to use them. Of course the tutorial examples are just a basic primer compared to the graphics some people are producing with Illustrator. 

Another booklet titled Beyond the Basics takes you to the leading edge of illustration graphics. This reference showcases the creation of nine commercial quality illustrations and investigates the methods and tools used to produce them. The 260 plus page Users Guide has a complete index listing of every feature available in the program and instructions for using each.

Total Type

Illustrator's text tools are very comprehensive, ranging from standard word processing capabilities to using type as graphic elements which conform to all the usual graphic rules. This allows the placement of text along a user selected path, using type characters as masks and a variety of other effects limited only by the imagination. Shown below is a collage of some of the simpler effects and combinations available using Illustrator. This is fun stuff and allows the creation of very unique, personalized graphics output. I found learning the process of using the different tools for type manipulation to require the most study and concentration. It can get quite involved with multiple layers, split paths and transparent masks to achieve a certain effect but the final result will definitely set your presentation apart from the rest of the pack. I look forward to becoming proficient in the use of all the type tools because it seems the creative use of type is the focus of the leading edge of today's graphic illustrations.

Playful Practice

I've mentioned playing with this program a couple of times for a good reason. When the engineering department installed a CADD system, I had the responsibility of seeing that the operators began producing drawings as quickly as possible. As you know, engineering drawings are very orthogonal by nature and everyone learned just enough to draw what was needed. After the initial rush was over, I took the time to investigate the rest of the capabilities by drawing something that interested me but was not business oriented. I was playing with the program features, pushing the envelope so to speak, to find out what it was capable of. Every day for three months, I played with the system for two or three hours after work and never produced a usable drawing; but I learned that program inside and out. 

Illustrator is a complex program that contains a lot of hidden value and features. To become proficient with it will require a substantial investment of time and effort. Make sure you allow enough play time to learn how to use it before you are required to produce. Once you are comfortable with using Bezier curves and know which tool to use to obtain a certain effect, I'm sure you will agree with the experts, as I now do, that Illustrator is the best there is.

ã 1992 CeNUG