Illustrator basic tutorial- Learn about the toolbar- VectorArtPlus

In this illustrator tutorial we will learn about the toolbar of illustrator. See the image below at a glance for advantages of references below.

1. Select tool (V): This tool helps to select an artwork. If artwork is grouped it will select all the grouped items. If ungrouped, it will select artwork partially. To group or ungroup any objects press CTRL+G and CTRL+ALT+G.

2. Direct selecting tool (A): This tool helps to select objects partially even it is a grouped or complex vector artwork.

3. Magic wand tool (Y): This tool helps to select items with same appearance.

4. Lasso tool (Q): Use this tool to select random paths of a vector artwork. Suppose you want to mark several paths of a polygonal. Then you have to use it.

5. Pen tool (P): This tool helps you to draw any complex shape. There are three sub tool of pen tool.

   (+) Add anchor point: To add a point to a selected object, use it.

   (-)  Delete anchor point: To delete an anchor point, use it.

   (Shift+c) Convert anchor point: To convert anchor points to a new shape you can use it.

You can watch this video about pen tool.

6. Type tool (T): This tool is used to type any text. There are many typing options in adobe illustrator. To enable typing options just press ctrl+t. It will open the character window.

a) Area type tool: This is the way to type on a specified area such as circle, square, polygon etc.

b) Type on a path tool: If you want to type on a curve path then use it.

c) Vertical type tool: This tool helps you to type vertically.

d) Vertical area type tool: Use this tool if you want to type on area vertically.

e) Vertical type on a path tool: This tool is similar to type on a path tool. But it will help you type vertically.

7. Line segment tool (\): If you need to draw a line then you can use it. It has also some sub tool.

a) Arc tool: You can draw an arc with this tool.

b) Spiral tool: This tool helps you to draw a spiral path.

c) Rectangular grid tool: This tool draws a box with rectangular grid.

d) Polar grid tool: Polar grid tool helps to draw a grid in polar shape.

8. Rectangle tool: This tool used to create a rectangular shape. There are some sub tool of rectangle tool.

a) Rounded rectangle tool: This tool will create a rectangle with rounded corner.

b) Ellipse tool: If you want to draw an ellipse select it.

c) Polygon tool: To draw a complex shape of polygon use polygon tool.

d) Star tool: Simply create various size of stars use this tool.

e) Flare tool: To draw a light flare, use this tool. To modify the flare ungroup it after drawing a flare.

9. Paint brush tool (B): This tool works as like as a paint brush. To enable the brushes window go to "window/brushes". Select any brush and draw a shape as the image below.

10. Pencil tool (N): You can draw as like as a pencil on an art paper with this tool. The smooth tool smoothen the path of your drawing. You can delete some path if you want with the path eraser tool.

11. The blob brush tool is a nice tool. It works better than the paint brush tool. You can apply gradient and graphic styles on it.

12. Eraser tool (Shift+e): This is a very helpful tool. You are able to erase any part of an object with this tool. Double click on the icon to enable the options.

13. Rotate tool: You can rotate any object with this tool. Double click on the icon and click on preview to  rotate in live mode.

14. Scale tool (S) : Double click on the icon and click on preview to scale an object in real time.

15. Shear tool: You can shear any object with this tool. Use as like the scale tool.

I think you have enjoyed this tutorial. After all, if you have any question or want to say thanks to me, don't forget to comment. Thanks for reading this tutorial on adobe illustrator.