Mastering Vector Brushes in Illustrator CC

Mastering Vector Brushes in Illustrator CC

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Creating Vector Brushes in Illustrator CC 2.1 Preparing the Image 2.2 Using the Image Trace Tool 2.3 Adjusting the Image Trace Settings
3. Expanding and Ungrouping the Image
4. Grouping the Paths for Brush Creation
5. Creating an Art Brush
6. Creating a Pattern Brush
7. Creating a Scatter Brush
8. Creating a Color Calligraphy Brush
9. Creating a Bristle Brush
10. Conclusion

Creating Your Own Vector Brushes in Illustrator CC

Do you want to add unique and personalized touches to your design projects? Look no further because Illustrator CC offers a wide range of brushes that you can customize to create stunning vector art. In this Tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating your own vector brushes from scratch using scanned images. So let's dive in and explore the magical world of vector brushes!

1. Introduction

Illustrator CC is a powerful software that allows designers to create scalable vector artwork. One of its key features is the ability to create custom brushes, which can add depth, texture, and unique effects to your designs. In this tutorial, we will focus on creating vector brushes from scanned images to give your artwork a HAND-drawn, organic feel.

2. Creating Vector Brushes in Illustrator CC

2.1 Preparing the Image

Before we can start creating our brushes, we need to prepare the image that we want to convert into a brush. You can use any medium to create your artwork, such as charcoal, Pencil, or even watercolor. Once you have your physical artwork ready, scan it into your computer at a high resolution to ensure maximum detail.

2.2 Using the Image Trace Tool

Once you have your scanned image, open it in Adobe Photoshop to make any necessary adjustments to the contrast and levels. Save the image as a TIFF file and bring it into Illustrator. With the image selected, go to the Image Trace tool in the top toolbar. This tool will automatically convert your image into editable vector shapes.

2.3 Adjusting the Image Trace Settings

To achieve the desired brush effect, we need to play around with the Image Trace settings. Click on the "Image Trace" button in the control panel on the left side of the screen to open the Image Trace panel. Here, you can adjust settings such as ignoring white, noise, paths, and threshold. Experiment with these settings to achieve the desired level of detail and texture in your brushes.

3. Expanding and Ungrouping the Image

After you have adjusted the Image Trace settings to your liking, it's time to expand the traced image. Go to the top left corner of the screen and click on "Expand." This will convert the traced image into editable vector paths. Next, ungroup the image by selecting it and pressing "Control+Shift+G" or "Command+Shift+G" on your keyboard. This will separate the individual paths, giving us more control over creating our brushes.

4. Grouping the Paths for Brush Creation

Now that we have our image paths separated, we can start grouping them together to create our brushes. This step allows us to define the brush Shape and behavior. Experiment with grouping different paths together to create unique brush effects. Remember to keep your brush size small to maintain high quality and ensure that your lines are straight for better usability.

5. Creating an Art Brush

Art brushes are versatile and can be used to create various strokes and effects. To create an art brush, select a path and drag it into the Brushes panel. In the pop-up window, you can name your brush and adjust settings such as width, pressure sensitivity, and colorization. Art brushes are great for creating textured and expressive strokes.

6. Creating a Pattern Brush

Pattern brushes allow you to create repetitive Patterns along a path. Select a path and drag it into the Brushes panel, then choose the "Pattern Brush" option. You can control spacing, corner, and scaling options to create interesting patterns. Pattern brushes are useful for creating borders, frames, and decorative elements.

7. Creating a Scatter Brush

Scatter brushes create random and scattered effects along a path. Drag a path into the Brushes panel, select "Scatter Brush," and adjust settings for size, spacing, scatter, and rotation. Play around with the spacing parameters to achieve the desired effect. Scatter brushes are great for creating abstract and organic designs.

8. Creating a Color Calligraphy Brush

If you want to create a brush that mimics the appearance of calligraphy, Illustrator CC offers the calligraphic brush option. Create a new brush and select the calligraphic brush type. Customize the size, angle, and roundness of the brush tip. For a more realistic effect, activate pressure sensitivity if you're using a graphics tablet. Color calligraphy brushes are ideal for creating elegant and fluid lettering.

9. Creating a Bristle Brush

Bristle brushes simulate the look and feel of traditional paint brushes. To create a bristle brush, choose the Bristle Brush option and adjust settings such as size, length, stiffness, and density. Bristle brushes are perfect for adding painterly textures and brush strokes to your artwork.

10. Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned how to create your own vector brushes in Illustrator CC. With these custom brushes, you can add uniqueness and personality to your designs. Experiment with different media and settings to discover endless possibilities. So go ahead and unleash your creativity with custom vector brushes in Illustrator CC!

【Highlights】

• Illustrator CC offers a wide range of customizable brushes for creating unique vector artwork.
• Scanned images can be converted into editable vector shapes using the Image Trace tool.
• Experiment with different settings to achieve desired levels of detail and texture in your brushes.
• Group and ungroup paths to create custom brush shapes and behaviors.
• Art brushes, pattern brushes, scatter brushes, color calligraphy brushes, and bristle brushes offer a variety of effects for different design purposes.

【FAQ】

Q: Can I create brushes from any scanned image? A: Yes, you can create brushes from any scanned image, as long as it is saved in a high-resolution format.

Q: How do I adjust the settings for each brush type? A: When creating a brush, a pop-up window will allow you to adjust settings such as width, pressure sensitivity, colorization, and more.

Q: Can I modify the brushes after creating them? A: Yes, you can always double-click on a brush in the Brushes panel to edit its settings and make adjustments.

Q: Can I combine multiple brushes in a single design? A: Absolutely! Illustrator CC allows you to use multiple brushes in a single design, giving you endless possibilities for creativity.

【Resources】

• Adobe Illustrator CC: www.adobe.com/illustrator