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BIG request...anyone moved from Freehand to Illustrator, on the Mac especially? But basically it would be great to ask some questions. Here's how I did this in FH, where is it now, or what is it named in IL? Key commands are driving me nuts. One very basic question, if I'm in the Type tool, is there anyway to toggle to the Selection tool just by holding down a key? Man, it's sloggy having to deselect from the Type tool and then click on another tool. I'm so used to just holding down the Command key and switching to the selection tool, or just pressing Tab to deselect. Any help appreciated. I'm burnt out on trying to look thru Adobe's tutorials. The program is just so deep, and things are so buried. Most of this frustration is the learning curve I know!!
Thanks ahead of time for suggestions, answers.
Mick
-------------------- Mick Samsel Creative Services Cherokee, IA Posts: 498 | From: Cherokee, Ia USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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"Some are born to move the world, to live their fantasies. But most of us just dream about the things we'd like to be." - Rush Posts: 1192 | From: Washington, NJ | Registered: Feb 1999
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I use Adobe Illustrator every day, hours on end.... and some aspects of it STILL drive me nuts. CorelDraw has a ton of nice features - I wish they would merge and make a single kick-butt program.
If you have any Illy questions in particular, post them here - I'm sure many of us would be happy and quick to provide an answer. Good luck :-)
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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I never used Freehand enough to know the key shortcuts and such, but using CorelDRAW and Illustrator has been challenging- they do basically the same things, just some of them require completely different ways. My production time is much more efficient in CD, mainly because of simple things in IL (like the selection tool, Transform, node editing tools) are suddenly much more complicated than they need to be.
You will probably find that to be true with Freehand/Illustrator- some things will make sense, others will make you question why someone with at least half of a brain hasn't improved or at least corrected some of the basic tool functions...
-------------------- Michael Clanton Clanton Graphics/ Blackberry 19 Studio 1933 Blackberry Conway AR 72034 501-505-6794 clantongraphics@yahoo.com Posts: 1736 | From: Conway Arkansas | Registered: Oct 2001
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There's been a toggle in Illustrator (and Photoshop and InDesign) for as long as I've been using them.
The command and option keys toggle your current tool back to the last selection tool you used. Whether the direct selection or the regular selection tool. It goes back to the original tool when you let off of the command and/or option key.
One cool automatic toggle that Illustrator has is knowing which PEN tool you need at all times. Select the pen tool first. (not the one with the plus or the minus next to it, just the normal pen tool.) It will put a node wherever on your work area that you want one. But, if you hover over a selected line segment, it will magically transform into an "add point" pen (the one with the plus). Hover over a node and it will transform itself into a "delete node" pen (the one with the minus. Also, if you hover over a node with your pen tool and then hold down the option key at the same time, it will become a "transform" pen and allow you to add or edit directional "handlebars" to make curved lines and whatnot.
I wouldn't know how to make the pen any simpler, unless there was an electronic cap you could wear that would read your mind while drawing.
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.... if only the selection tool would select a node or handle without it having to be perfectly, and microscopically without deviation exactly on the center.
I can't even begin to count the thousands of times I had the selection tool *on* a handle node in Illustrator and got the annoying warning horn and message that I wasn't exactly on the right spot down to the sub-atomic level.
That's always been a flaw in Illustrator. Even when they tried to address this by giving the option of 'larger' node choices... it's still jacked.
Oh well, nothing is perfect is it? :-)
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Todd, I don't have that problem. I miss a node click every once in a blue moon. Try going to your Illustrator preferences>selection & anchor display, then experiment with different settings, particularly "tolerance". That should fix your problem.
And, for goodness sake, turn off the darn warning. If you click on a node and it doesn't get selected, you know you missed it without needing a warning.
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I'll give it a shot Don... wasn't familiar with *tolerance* setting... hehe. Funny how you can get into your grove and just quit exploring. I'll see if that helps.
I have turned off the warning with the 'checkbox' multiple times... but it still pops up on occasion. Not sure why on that.
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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Don - you are the man. I just bumped my tolerance setting from the default of 3 px to 8 and when I click the selection tool close to - but away from the node... the node spring over to the selection tool tip. Sweet!! I think I'll tone it down to about 5 or 6 pixels - that should be sufficient.
Thanks for that early Christmas gift!!
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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I have mine set on the default tolerance of 3 pixels. I'm guessing you could double and solve that problem. (Illustrator could just have us enter our age when we install, and increase the tolerance area automatically as we age....now where did Adobe hide that suggestion box?)
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You're welcome. Illustrator still isn't perfect, but it gets more perfect the older it gets, and that's good enough for me. I have CS3, and have CS4 at work.
After seeing you guys playing with the transparency tricks and gradients a few days ago, I'm salivating for CS5. Won't be long before I miss the boat on the upgrade price.
Hope Mick is getting some good ideas for using Illustrator here.
quote:(Illustrator could just have us enter our age when we install, and increase the tolerance area automatically as we age....now where did Adobe hide that suggestion box?)
LOL... no kidding. Or how about nodes the size of sugar cubes?
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
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If it's affordable, FlexiSign, is the way to go it puts Illustrator to shame and is ultra fast... Just my 2 bits...
-------------------- Jack Wills Studio Design Works 1465 E.Hidalgo Circle Nye Beach / Newport, OR Posts: 2914 | From: Rocklin, CA. USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Although I love flexi it can and will never do what Illustrator can, I always start the design in flexi because there are things during the initial design that flexi does alot easier than illy....but illy wraps it all up in a nice package
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
posted
I know a Flexisign user who paid $4500 for it. For that much, she could have bought a new Mac, a Adobe CS (w. Illustrator), and paid for a class on how to use Illustrator.
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Todd, I've had your "hitting the node" problem on my PC's but not on the mac. My Dell desktop drove me nuts. The Dell laptop is much better but not quite up to par with the Mac, but much closer. My mouse is sooo much smoother on the Mac. I tried every setting imaginable on the Dell and I just could not get it smooth. I don't know but maybe it was the mouse. I have wireless Logitech's for the laptop and Mac but a Microsoft wireless for the desktop. So maybe trying a different mouse would help you Todd. Good luck.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5397 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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Dave, check your settings. Not just the mouse settings, but your software preferences. The defaults aren't good for everybody and might vary from computer to computer and monitor to monitor. A problem like you're having is likely an easy fix.
And different mice have different tolerances/degrees of accuracy. That's the main reason why gaming mice cost so much.
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Oh, and for a quick fix, lynda.com still has a FREE WEEK of unlimited video lessons for new customers. It's a one time deal and no catch. Lots of short (3-5 minute).video lessons taught by experts.
And if you try it out and want more after the week, it's only $25/ month, unless they've raised their rates. I subscribed for a year and learned flash, painter, and a few new illustrator and photoshop tricks. If you're married, your wife can watch the lessons off of the same account.
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Yes Don, thanks for all of the ideas and the people who have posted. Sorry I didn't get back sooner, and thanks for the personal emails I'm writing down a list of things I'll post as questions, and hopefully some tips as I stumble onto them. Thanks everyone!
Mick
-------------------- Mick Samsel Creative Services Cherokee, IA Posts: 498 | From: Cherokee, Ia USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Yes Don, thanks for all of the ideas and the people who have posted. Sorry I didn't get back sooner, and thanks for the personal emails I'm writing down a list of things I'll post as questions, and hopefully some tips as I stumble onto them. Thanks everyone!
Mick
-------------------- Mick Samsel Creative Services Cherokee, IA Posts: 498 | From: Cherokee, Ia USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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quote:Originally posted by Don Coplen: After seeing you guys playing with the transparency tricks and gradients a few days ago, I'm salivating for CS5. Won't be long before I miss the boat on the upgrade price.
Hey Don,
The gradient thing I did was with CS4. I wonder if it could be done with CS3.
I heard that CS6 is on the horizon, and if you aren't at CS5 already, they won't allow you to upgrade to CS6. Hmmm.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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Thanks, Russ. I wrestled around w CS3 without much luck.
As for upgrades, I'm probably going to miss the deadline. I know Im not interested in spending $600 I really don't have for an upgrade that will be out of date in a few months. If I were getting more freelance work, I could justify it.
If things turn brighter, I'll pick up a qualifying version on eBay to get the upgrade to, say, CS10.
[ November 28, 2011, 09:33 PM: Message edited by: Don Coplen ]
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I probably won't upgrade either. CS4 does a decent job and I can't justify spending the money right now. I have a license for the design premium suite and individual licenses for Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, but Adobe has priced me out of their upgrade market.
My mind wanders. And that's not a good thing, 'cause it's too small to be out there alone. Posts: 3129 | From: Tooele, UT | Registered: Mar 2005
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