How to Cheat in Photoshop

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Posted on 01/08/05 03:24:53 AM

mj
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Illustrator

I know this site is dedicated to Photoshop but at times I think a good Illustrator image could be posted every once in a while. I made this over the last 3 days. Lots of work and at least 50 layers. What are everyone's thoughts????

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Posted on 01/08/05 03:52:21 AM

Neal
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Re: Illustrator

WOW! That's fantastic. How large is the file?

Posted on 01/08/05 04:03:15 AM

mj
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Re: Illustrator

Thanks Neal, very kind of you.
The AI file is 1.56 Mb.

Here is the outline view. Complicated but just like PS it's fun.

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Posted on 01/08/05 07:37:57 AM

maiden
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Re: Illustrator

That is truly amazing MJ superb highlighting and blending. I wish I had the patience to do something quite that complex.

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Posted on 01/08/05 08:17:43 AM

trinityofone
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Re: Illustrator

Nice work MJ!

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Posted on 01/08/05 1:15:32 PM

mj
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Re: Illustrator

Thanks everyone. Patience is a virtue when using Illustrator. Frustration is the other.

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Posted on 01/08/05 5:15:43 PM

Steve Caplin
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Re: Illustrator

Fantastic work! And it's great to see Illustrator stuff in here. I've been asked to write a How to Cheat in Illustrator, and images like yours really make me want to do it!

Posted on 01/08/05 9:28:38 PM

mj
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Re: Illustrator

At 11:15:43 AM 01/08/05, Steve Caplin wrote:
Fantastic work! And it's great to see Illustrator stuff in here. I've been asked to write a How to Cheat in Illustrator, and images like yours really make me want to do it!

Thanks for the complement Steve. It would be fantastic if you would write a Cheat for Illustrator. How much would it take to bribe you into writing it ?

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Posted on 01/08/05 9:28:59 PM

mj
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Re: Illustrator

Maybe this would entice you to write an "Illustrator Cheat" book.

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Posted on 02/08/05 08:46:58 AM

Steve Caplin
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Re: Illustrator

MJ, that's spectacular! One of the things that's put me off Illustrator is the fact that you have to be so painstaking about the artwork construction - but it looks like you've got it cracked.

I think I will do this book, there's a lot that can be explained and there are always quicker ways of achieving effects, which after all is the whole Cheat philosophy. Watch this space!

Posted on 02/08/05 09:21:05 AM

maiden
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Re: Illustrator

I've not done anything nearly as great as MJ's stuff but I did do this

I bought :
The Adobe Illustrator CS WOW! book by Sharon Steuer
(www.adobepress.com ISBN 0-321-16892-5)
which is a really great insight into how to use Illustrator like the professionals do.

Although I would wholeheartly recommend that you produce a "How to Cheat in Illustrator" book Steve as that would be absolute essential reading one which i would certainly add to my bookshelf.

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Posted on 02/08/05 12:49:57 PM

mj
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Re: Illustrator

At 02:46:58 AM 02/08/05, Steve Caplin wrote:
MJ, that's spectacular! One of the things that's put me off Illustrator is the fact that you have to be so painstaking about the artwork construction - but it looks like you've got it cracked.

I think I will do this book, there's a lot that can be explained and there are always quicker ways of achieving effects, which after all is the whole Cheat philosophy. Watch this space!

Thank you Steve. Artwork is painstaking but the rewards are worth the effort in my opinion. I don't have all of what I need and I can use all the help the experts can give especially you.

There will be a lot of happy Illy fans watching this space for a book from you, count me first in line. I'm looking forward to the quick tips or Cheats. Thanks again.

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Posted on 02/08/05 12:57:48 PM

mj
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Re: Illustrator

At 03:21:05 AM 02/08/05, maiden wrote:
I've not done anything nearly as great as MJ's stuff but I did do this

Great blending Maiden. I love the face, I don't know if you meant it to be funny but I had to laugh when I saw it. Sorry if that is offensive but it struck me as humorous and fits most of the themes that you post in PS. I hope I have generated more interest in Illy for those that have it but don't use it.

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Posted on 02/08/05 1:17:33 PM

maiden
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Re: Illustrator

Yes it was meant to be comical so thanks for laughing, although really it was just an experiment with blending as the blending tool can be quite complex to get to grips with. I'm certainly interested in anything to do with Illustrator and I'm amazed at anybody who would have the patience to do photorealistic art using Illustrator because as Steve has already said it takes quite some dedication to do the blending, and the numerous layers required is quite staggering even to do something simple.

So any hints, tips, cheats and shortcuts will be greatly appreciated, as the ratio between time creating a photomontage and the level of detail required to be convincing sometimes makes using Illustrator impractical which is a great shame because it is a simply wonderful program. But now that Steve has whetted our appetite for a cheat book when could we expect to see a book on the shelf at the bookshops?

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Posted on 02/08/05 1:22:51 PM

Steve Caplin
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Re: Illustrator

At 12:17:33 PM 02/08/05, maiden wrote:
But now that Steve has whetted our appetite for a cheat book when could we expect to see a book on the shelf at the bookshops?

Um… well, first the publishers have to decide if anyone out there would buy it! Then there's all the marketing, sales and editorial meetings, then I have to write the thing - probably wouldn't be out until CS3, whenever that may be! So don't hold your breath…

Posted on 02/08/05 1:29:37 PM

maiden
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Re: Illustrator

I like to keep an avid eye out for new books but there doesn't ever seem to be many on the subject of Illustrator that are really up to much, except the one I mentioned from Sharon Steuer which is inspirational.

Obviously I'm a big fan of your style, Steve, and applying your "Cheat" philosophy to Illustrator would work really really well and I'm sure it would create it's own market. Like I've said and MJ has already said we would certainly buy it and I'm sure there would be many others equally as daunted by the time factor of Illustrator who would pay for good soild hints and tips in Illustrator.

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Posted on 02/08/05 1:33:53 PM

mj
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Re: Illustrator

Here is a tip I picked up from a great friend of mine. She teaches Illy at Ed2go. (Toni Toomey) this has helped me more than anything when using meshes. If you don't already know it Illy makes hidden anchor points when you use the Mesh tool. You can delete these hidden points by first selecting the nearest visible anchor point with the Direct select tool. Then click on the Delete anchor point tool and voila there are the hidden anchors. Just delete them. You can then add new anchor points and drag the mesh line into the position you want. Neat trick. Maybe one for you book Steve.

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Posted on 02/08/05 1:55:31 PM

mj
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Re: Illustrator

At 07:29:37 AM 02/08/05, maiden wrote:
I like to keep an avid eye out for new books but there doesn't ever seem to be many on the subject of Illustrator that are really up to much, except the one I mentioned from Sharon Steuer which is inspirational.

Obviously I'm a big fan of your style, Steve, and applying your "Cheat" philosophy to Illustrator would work really really well and I'm sure it would create it's own market. Like I've said and MJ has already said we would certainly buy it and I'm sure there would be many others equally as daunted by the time factor of Illustrator who would pay for good soild hints and tips in Illustrator.

I could not have said it better Maiden. The one thing that turns me off on most books on the market is the fact that 3/4 of the book is how to use the Pen, Pencil and other tools if you have half way mastered these tools then the book is not of use. Cheats would sell itself to those that are using Illy.

Maiden here is a book that is useful (although outdated it does have some tricks and tips that still apply)

She shows the use of some of the more obscure tools and methods that you don't find in other books.

Illustrator 9 F/X & Design
Sherry London Coriolis Publishing

It is out of publication but you may be able to find a used one at Amazon. I was lucky enough to get a signed copy from Sherry.

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Posted on 02/08/05 11:23:25 PM

uk2usadaz
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