Illustrator Tutorials — Effects

Follow this step by step Illustrator and Photoshop tutorial to create a cool poster design of vibrant shard graphics. We’ll create the array of shapes with Illustrator’s vector tools before finishing off the poster with some subtle textures in Photoshop.

In this tutorial I am going to show you how to create a retro grunge style poster using patterns, gradients and brushes in Illustrator.

We will learn how to create 3D objects quickly and efficiently, place them in a perspective plane and create a vector Anaglyph Stereo Image with the help of Phantasm CS. The fact is that everything that was previously available for raster objects only is now applicable to vector ones too.

You probably know that such sites as Shutterstock or Istockphoto do not accept vector works that have raster images or objects to which the raster effects have been applied. Today I'll tell you how to quickly find the raster images and effects in the vector file for replace or remove them.

You will learn how to create a colorful retro style poster using gradients, geometric shapes, patterns and 3D effects.

To create snowflakes, we will be using Dynamic Shapes (part of the VectorScribe plugin) and Transform Effects. Using the technique described here, you can create different shapes of snowflakes in a few minutes. This is such a fascinating process that I really enjoyed sharing it with you. In the second part of the tutorial we will learn how to create colorful Christmas balls. Their color can be changed in a few seconds. Learn more at the jump.

In this tutorial we will learn how to create Watercolor Background using a Gradient Mesh, tools of deformation and Blending Modes. The techniques which are described here allow the creation of complex textural backgrounds in a simple and effective way.

Spruce twigs can be created quite easily in vector, which will be demonstrated by following the techniques described in this tutorial. To create a twig, we will be using transformation effects, Appearance panel, and Dynamic Shapes which are created with the help of the VectorScribe plugin. The dynamic shapes will help us quickly create a twig and easily manage its view.

Drawing people is not the most obvious application of vector imagery, but Stanley Chow shows it can deliver brilliant results

Graphic styles help you apply appearance effects on any objects. You can create a graphics style and apply it to multiple objects.