I want to learn to use adobe illustrator, where do I start?

So I got Adobe Illustrator, and I want to learn to use it. I'm a total Newbie, I've never even touched it before. I have some basic photoshop skills, but thats about it.





So what is the best way to learn to use it? Does anyone know of any good online tutorials, or videos or books I should get? thanks so much!I want to learn to use adobe illustrator, where do I start?
Best advice: Take a class. These are offered at pretty low cost at most community colleges and some adult education programs.





If the instructor is a qualified Adobe certifed trainer, the classroom text will be the ';Classroom in a Book'; series. It is also the book I recommend for self teaching of most Adobe products.





The book takes the user through a series of professionally designed projects, beginning with some simple ones, and progressing through more complex projects designed to introduce the user to more and more of the applications tools and features. The book comes with an included CD that contains the graphics and text needed to complete these projects.





I always recommend the people to each exercise twice. The first time, using the resources on the CD, and a second time using their own graphics and text. That second run through helps the student retain the knowledge gained from the first run through. Plus, by the student having to locate their own photographic and illustrative sources, it has a more realistic, real-life, feel to is.





The problem with online tutorials is that they can only offer some VERY limited information on all of Illustrator's features. It is an EXTREMELY powerful tool, and, if the user is not willing to put in the time and effort to learn it's full potential, it will be a HUGE waste of money. I compare it to someone purchasing a two hundred thousand dollar sports car, only to use it to go fetch groceries.I want to learn to use adobe illustrator, where do I start?
one technique you can practice with is using live trace, import a portrait or flowers, something simple and nothing too detailed, run live trace to convert bitmap image to vector, remove bitmap and edit vector anchors to smooth outlines,





http://www.tutorial9.net/illustrator/ado…


http://library.creativecow.net/articles/…





Adobe - Illustrator CS4


http://www.adobe.com/products/illustrato…


livedocs %26gt; adobe Illustrator ~getting started,


http://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/Illustra…





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