Christmas Tree

1. Create the tree foundation

First, roughly create the tree path with Pen Tool and fill it with (green-darker green)
gradient. Go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen

Roughen Options
When the Roughen options window popup, enter the following values: Size: 5%,
Detail: 100/in and select Points=Corner, then click OK.

2. Create the art brush

Now we need to make a New Art Brush for the tree branches. With the Pen Tool, make
a path as shown below(1), fill with dark green, and apply the same Roughen effect as
the previous step. Your path now should look like path(2). Duplicate path(2) by
ALT+Drag or Copy & Paste, vertically scale it down a bit, and change it to lighter tone
of green(3). Repeat this step, duplicate one more path and fill it with a even lighter tone
of green(4).

New Art Brush

Select these 3 paths and drag it to the Brushes Library to make a New Art Brush.

Art Brush Options

Leave everything as default, but select Tints and Shades from the Colorization
Method drop down menu.

3. Tree branches
With the Pen Tool, create some wavily stroke paths and fill stroke color with green.
Then apply these paths with the Art Brush youve created in the previous step. Adjust
the Opacity between 40-50% so it blends with the tree. If you want bigger tree
branches, apply thicker stroke weight, thinner stroke = smaller branches. Play around
with the Opacity and Stroke Weight and try to make the tree looks as natural as
possible.

4. Christmas balls
Create various size and gradient Christmas balls with the Ellipse Tool. Place some on
top of the tree, send some to the back, and put some behind the branches.

5. Light bulbs
The tree still looks too plain, we need some more decorative lights. Create some light
bulbs as shown on the left, drag it to the Brushes Library to make a New Scatter
Brush.

Scatter Brush Options

When the Scatter Brush Options window popup, select Random for all options and
enter the range values as shown below.

6. Tree lights
With the Pen Tool, roughly draw a zig zag path from the top to bottom, and apply the
Scatter Brush youve created in the previous step. Notice how the light bulbs are
randomly rendered base on the range values youve entered in the Scatter Brush
Options, and you can change these setting at any time by double click on the Library
object. If you want to have more lights, create another path and apply the same Scatter
Brush.

Final

Halloween Pumpkin

1. Basic shapes
First, use the Pen tool and draw the basic shapes of the pumpkin.

2. Fill Gradient
Fill the shapes with a linear gradient with no stroke fill. Gradient color1: R=255 G=127
B=0, color2: R=255 G=127 B=0

3. Shading

Select all shapes, go to menu Edit > Copy (Ctrl+C). Then go to menu Edit > Paste in
Front (Ctrl+F) to paste in position.

With the shapes remain selected, open Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder). Hold
down Alt key, click on Add to shape area. This will merge shapes together.

Select the following gradient setting - color1: R=255 G=255 B=255, color2: R=204
G=122 B=22. Slide the white picker toward the right side. With the merged shape
remain selected, drag from the upper center toward bottom.

Change the Blending Mode of the merged shape to Multiply.

4. Stem
Use the Pen tool and draw a shape of stem on top of the pumpkin. Fill it with a radial
gradient as shown. Gradient color1: R=111 G=129 B=46, color2: R=82 G=56 B=17.

5. Cutout Face
Make a new layer on top of the pumpkin. Use the Pen tool and draw the basic shapes of
the face. Select all the shapes (face only), use the Gradient tool and fill it with a radial
gradient as shown. Gradient color1: R=255 G=242 B=0, color2: R=255 G=146 B=0,
color3: R=187 G=50 B=0.

6. Depth
Now, we need to add some depth to the pumpkin cutouts. Use the Pen tool, roughly
draw a shape intersect with the left eye cutout. Then Copy the left eye and Paste in
Front. Select the left eye shape and the intersect shape, go to Pathfinder, hold down Alt
key and click on Intersect shape areas.

Repeat this step until you get all the features done (eyes, nose, and mouth).

7. Shadow & Highligh

Fill the shadow area with a darker gradient (color1: R=255 G=146 B=0, color2: R=187
G=50 B=0). Then fill the highlight area with a lighter gradient (color1: R=255 G=255
B=139, color2: R=255 G=164 B=0).

Final

Christmas Hat

1. Hat
Start your hat by drawing 2 basic paths and filling them with Linear gradient (red to
darker-red).

2. Shadow
Make a path (shadow path) like the image on the left. Select the top part of the hat,
Copy & Paste in Front (Ctrl+F). Now, select the copied path and the shadow path,
hold down Alt key and select Intersect shape areas in Pathfinder pallate.

Your path should looks like the image on the left. Repeat this step to make another
shadow path for the bottom part of the hat. Then fill these 2 shadow paths with Linear
gradient (red to darker-red), in your Transparency pallate, select Multiply.

3. Fur
With your Pen Tool, roughly draw a path like the image on the left and fill it with grey
color. Go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Roughen

Roughen Options
In your Roughen window, enter the following setting: Size=8%, Detail=95/in, select
Corner points. You may click on the Preview check box to preview your result.

Make a copy of the grey path by holding down Alt + drag (you may use Copy & Paste
if you like) and fill it with white. Scale it down a bit and bring it up slightly above the
grey path. Select the top part of the hat and its shadow, bring them to front by Object >
Arrange > Bring to Front (Ctrl+Shift+]).

Use the Ellipse Tool to make the circle and repeat the previous step to make the furry
ball.

Final

Have Fun
Now, have fun with your Christmas hat!

3D Bowl

1. Create the bowl

Create a path and fill it with yellow color like the image below. Then, select Effect >
3D > Revolve from the menu.

2. Apply 3D Revolve Setting

When the 3D Revolve Options window popups, apply the following setting:

Click on the More Options if the lower portion window is not showing
Create a new light by clicking on the New Light icon and drag those two lights
as shown
Change Shading Color to orange by: select Custom from the drop drop, click
on the sample color box, Color Picker window will pop, then enter this color
value (R=255 B=50 G=0)
If you want a smooth blending, increse the Blend Steps (default is 25, max is
256). Note: increase Blend Steps will also increase file size and memory usage.

3. Create the apple

Create an oval path with the Ellipse Tool and fill it with green color. Then select that
green path and apply Effect > 3D > Revolve, leave all options in the 3D Revolve
Options window as default and click OK. Now, you should get something like the
image shown below:

4. Add Drop Shadow

Keep the apple path selected, go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow and apply the
setting as shown below.

5. Create New Art Brush

First create a path similar to the image as shown below, fill it with black (k=100), and
then create the highlight path fill it with 80% black (k=80). Drag it to the Brushes
library window to create a New Art Brush. If your Brushes library is not on the screen,
go to Window > Brushes or press F5.

New Art Brush Options

The Art Brush Option window should pop out, select Tints from the Colorization
Method drop down menu, leave everything as default, and click OK.

6. Draw the apples basin

Create a stroke path with the Pen Tool and select the Art Brush that youve created in
the previous step. Now place it on top of the apple like the image shown below.

7. Duplicate the apple

Select the apple (with basin), hold down the Alt (or Option key for Mac), drag it to
make a copy of it. You may also use Copy & Paste to duplicate the apple. Then, change
it to red color.

8. Adjust 3D Revolve setting

Select the red apple (oval path only), in your Appearance pallate, double click the 3D
Revolve effect icon to adjust the options/setting. If your Appearance is not showing,
select menu Window > Appearance or press Shift+F6.

3D Revolve Options
Now, your 3D Revolve Options window should pop out. Enter the following
value(X=57 Y=63 Z=-159). You can change the rotation values manually by entering
the numbers or by dragging the cube on the left.

9. Fix the apples basin

Notice the basin is slightly off from the apple after you changed the rotation values from
previous step. Move the basin stroke to center of the apple by using the Selection Tool
or Direct Selection Tool.

10. Add one more apple

Make one more apple by repeating Step 7 to 9.

11. Put them together

Put the apples and the bowl together as shown. Draw a oval shape path, base on the
shape of the bowl.

12. Mask the apples

Select the the apples and oval path only, go to menu Clipping Mask > Make or press
Ctrl+7

13. Final
Thats it! Your illustration should look like the image below:

3D Logo

1. 3D text
Use the Type tool, type in "3D Logo". Go to Effect >Warp > Arc and apply the
following setting:

2. 3D Extrude & Bevel

Then go to Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel and apply the setting as shown in the image
below. You can drag around the cube to set the X,Y,Z rotation values. Set the Extrude
Depth to 20pt.

3. Expand Appearance
Now go to Object > Expand Appearance to remove all effects and convert to paths.
After the text object is expanded, Ungrounp the object by Object > Ungroup or press
Ctrl+Shift+G. You probably need to do Ungroup 4-5 times in order to break the object
apart.

4. Merge paths
Select the round corner paths and merge them together by the Pathfinder tool. Hold
down Alt key, click on the Add to shape area and the selected paths will be merged.
Repeat this step to clean up all round corner paths.

5. Apply gradient
Select the top level paths and apply a yellow-green color gradient.

6. Eyedropper
Select the back(depth) paths, use the Eyedropper tool and click on the front paths. This
will copy the gradient fill.

7. Darken
Keep the back paths selected, go to Gradient pallete and adjust the gradient colors to
darker tone.

8. 3D logo
You can use this technique to make 3D objects from any shape, text, etc.
Here are the steps:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Apply 3D Extrude & Bevel effect

Expand object
Ungroup object
Apply gradient
Eyedropper gradient fill

More
Here are more samples I made using the same technique.

3D Vase

1. Create a path
First, create a path like the image shown below with the Pen Tool, go to menu Effect >
3D > Revolve

3D Revolve Options
The 3D Revolve Options window should pop up and look like the image below. Click
on More Options if the lower portion window is not showing. You can leave most of
the setting as default, but add an additional light spot by click the New Light icon and
drag it to the lower left corner as shown. Enter 35 for Blend Steps, maximum Blend
Steps is 256, higher Blend Steps results better rendering quality but also increases file
size and memory.

2. Create the flower symbol

Now use the Ellipse Tool, create a flower like the image below. I have a very simply
flower illustration here, but you can create anything as you like. Drag the flower to the
Symbols Library Pallate to create a new symbol. If your Symbols Pallate is not
showing, press Ctrl+Shift+F11 or go to Windows > Symbols to show Symbols.

3. Create Map Art

With the vase object selected, in Appearance Pallate, double click on the 3D Revolve
effect icon(f) to change the 3D Revolve Options.

When the 3D Revolve Options window pop ups, click on Map Art button.

Map Art options

Check Preview option so you can preview the result. At the top where it says, Surface,
use the arrow buttons to locate the surface that you want to Map Art. Notice there is a
red wireframe on your object which show you the surface youve selected. In this case,
it is 4 of 5. From the Symbol drop down, select the symbol that youve created in the
previous step. You can position and resize the symbol in way as you want. You can also
create multi-surface Map Art by selecting the Surface then the Symbol. Click OK
when you are happy with the result.

Final
Thats it! With just 3 simple steps, I just created a nice 3D Vase with Illustrator 3D
Revolve Tool.

Stylish Vector Flower

Learn how to create stylish vector/line flower with

Illustrator Blend Tool. This Adobe Illustrator tutorial is great for creating background
and large print illustration.
Version: Illustrator 8+
Download Source File

1. Flower petal
Create two stroke paths: one yellow and one blue.

2. Blend Options
Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options and set it to Specified Steps = 10. Specified
Steps basically tells how many step to blend from 1 object to another.

Blend

Now select the 2 petal paths, go to Object > Blend > Make or press Ctrl + Alt + B and
you should get something looks like the image shown below.

3. Duplicate more petals

Duplicate more petals to form the flower by Copy & Paste or Alt + Drag.

4. Stem
Create a stem by using the same Blend technique as in the previous step. Here I set the
Specified Steps = 8.

5. Leaf
The leaf is formed by 2 parts, top and bottom. I use Specified Steps = 5 here.

6. Put them together

Now put them together to create a beautiful flower.

7. Right long leaf

Create a long leaf with Blend step = 3.

8. Left long leaf

Repeat the previous step to create the left long leaf.

Final
Your final image should looks like the image shown below:

More
Play around with the stroke color, stroke weight, Blend step, Transparency and you
might get unexpected nice result. Here is a sample I did in Photoshop, with different
Blend Mode, Multiply and Darken. This image style is good for creating website header,
banner, wallpaper, background, large print, etc.

iTune Icon

The challange of this tutorial is to use various

Blending modes and blending techniques to replicate the iTune icon. This tutorial is a
good exercise to master your Blend techniques.
Version: Illustrator 9+
Download Source File

1. Basic shapes
Start making the basic shapes of the iTune icon. If you need help on how to trace from
an image, visit my Tracing Photo tutorial.

2. Music note
Make a glossy orb by using my Glossy Button technique. First, make 3 shapes from
light color to dark color. Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options, select Specified
Steps = 128. Then select all 3 shapes and press Ctrl + Alt + B or go to Object > Blend
> Make.

Reflection
Make an oval shape and fill with black-white gradient. Make sure the black color is full
black (C,M,Y,K=100). Drag it on top of the orb and select Screen Blending Mode.

Highlights
Make a tall vertical rectangle and an elongate circle; then Blend it. Duplicate it by Altdrag to the right.

Make a 3 color gradient path.

Make another highlight using the same Blending technique as in the previous step and
select Screen Blending Mode.

3. CD
Use the Gradient tool and fill the CD shapes with white-grey gradient.

Rainbow Gradient
Make some multi-color line strokes as shown below. Make sure the first and last stroke
is white because it will be transparent. Use the Blend Tool (W), click on the edge of
each stroke starting from left to right.

Mask
Use the CD shape and mask the rainbow gradient by Ctrl+7 or Object > Clipping
Mask > Make. Then select Multiply Blending Mode and adjust the Opacity to 26%.

Repeat the previous step to make another rainbow gradient.

4. Music note refection

Make 3 oval paths, make sure the outer path is white color(this will make a glow effect).
Select all 3 paths, go to Object > Blend > Make (Ctl+Alt+B).

Drag it below the music note and select Multiply Blending Mode , 37% Opacity.
Duplicate the refection object by Alt-drag to the right side.

5. Drop Shadow

The last step is to apply a Drop Shadow effect to the CD. Select the outer CD path, go
to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow and apply the following setting:

Final
Here is the final iTune icon!

Stamp

This tutorial shows you how to create a stamp image

with Illustrator in just 3 simple steps! This tutorial is useful for designing photo edge or
album cover.
Version: Illustrator 9+
Download Source File

1. Draw a rectangle path

Select the Rectangle Tool, create a box like the image below. Go to Effect > Distort &
Transform > Zig Zag.

Zig zag Options

When the Zig Zag window popups, check Preview to preview the result, enter Size=1,
Ridges per segment=26, then click OK.

2. Add Drop Shadow effect

With the path selected, go to Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow, and enter the following
setting: Opacity=50, X Offset=1 Y Offset=2, Blur=3, and select black color.

3. Place in your artwork

Now you can remove the stroke color and place in your artwork and align them center.
Thats it!

Bonus Tips

If you are creating this stamp for print, make sure your Document Raster Effects
Settings is 300dpi or you will get pixelated print out. To change your setting, go to
Effect > Document Raster Effects Settings. If you are designing for web/screen, leave
it as 72dpi because higher dpi takes more memory.

Tracing Photo

Full detailed tutorial on how to draw and trace

people from a photo. Learn how to create realistic illustration with just simple gradient
fill. No massive Gradient Mesh!
Version: Illustrator 9+
Download Source File

1. Place a photo
First place a photo in Layer 1 by File > Place or Copy & Paste from clip board. Double
click on Layer 1 to change the Layer Options. Set Dim Images to: 30% and lock layer.

2. Start tracing
Make a new layer (Layer 2). Hold down Ctrl key and click on the eye icon of Layer 2 to
view Layer 2 in Outline mode.

Use the Pen Tool and start tracing the basic features of the girl. While you are tracing,
there are couple shortcut keys you should know in order to work more faster.
These shortcuts are:

Ctrl+[ = Send Backward (This will send object back 1 step)

Ctrl+] = Bring Forward (This will bring object front 1 step)
Ctrl+Shift+[ = Send to Back (This will send object all the way to the back)
Ctrl+Shift+] = Bring to Front (This will bring object all the way to the front)
Ctrl+F = Paste in Front (This will paste object in front with same position)

3. Make shadow
Draw a new path as shown (top). Then Copy the base path of the face and Paste in
Front. Select the copied base path and the new path, open your Pathfinder, Alt-click
on Intersect shape areas.

Use the same technique from previous step and make all shadow paths for the overall
illustration. You dont have to get into the details yet, one simple shadow path of each
part is good enough (ie. eye, lips, shirt, body, etc). Remember to use Ctrl+C for copy;
and Ctrl+F to paste object in front. Trust me, this will save you a lot of time!

4. Fill in base color

Now fill in the base color for the face, eye, lips, and eyebrow.

5. Shadow gradient
Fill the shadow path of the face with a Gradient (white-skin tone) and select Multiply
for Blending Mode.

Select the other shadow paths and use the Eyedropper Tool to copy the gradient fill of
the main shadow path.

For the lip and eye shadow, use the Eyedropper to copy the base fill and select
Multiply Blending Mode.

6. Body
Use the same technique, copy the gradient fill for the body. Note you might to adjust the
gradient of each shadow path to blend in with the overall illustration.

7. Hair
Pretty much the same, fill 1 path with the gradient, then use the Eyedropper Tool to
copy the fill.

8. Shirt
Same technique as the previous steps.

9. Skirt
Fill the skirt with a blue gradient, then use the Eyedropper Tool to copy the fill for the
shadow.

10. Hair details

Now you can add more details to the hair. Make shadow effect by adding Multiply
paths. Add some highlights by using lighter gradient color. If you want, you can add
more details to the clothes, lips, or add a cool tattoo on her body.

Final
After you get used to this tracing technique, you can basically trace anything!

More Samples
Here are some samples that I traced from photo using the same technique.

Use Adobe Illustrator to Make a Pirate's Map

CATEGORIES: Tutorials, Illustrator | Chad Neuman | September 22, 2006
Learn to create warped text that is still editable on top of another object by creating a
pirate's map.
Sometimes it's necessary to create outlines of text so that it can be distorted. But
perhaps you want to be able to modify text after it's warped. Here's a neat way to do
that. September 19th was Talk Like a Pirate Day, so let's make a pirate's map using this
envelope warping technique. Here's the image file I used: a map of Madagascar.

1
Open a new document in Adobe Illustrator. Choose the Text tool, and click-and-drag
and area to insert some text. You can type in some text, and Edit>Copy from another
source and Edit>Paste into the text box. I've inserted some text from the classic book,
Treasure Island, which is in the public domain.

2
Change the font style and size to your liking by clicking-and-dragging over it with the
Text tool then changing the font on the Options Bar or under the Type pull-down menu.
I've used Snell Roundhand at 20 points to get a more "pirate" feel.

3
Choose the Rectangle tool, and change the Fill and Stroke to None. Click-and-drag a
box just around the text.

4
Select both the new box and the text underneath it by clicking-and-dragging around
both with the Selection tool. Go to Object>Envelope Distort>Make with Top Object.

5
Go to Object>Envelope Distort>Reset With Warp. Choose a shape for the warp; the
Fish shape makes for a good curved piece of paper look if the settings are correct Horizontal Selected, Bend % set to 10, and the Horizontal Distortion set to 14 and the

Vertical Distortion set to 17.

6
Go to File>Place and choose the map of Madagascar. Click Place.

7
With the Selection tool, click the placed art and resize by clicking-and-dragging a
corner bounding box. Then click on the Live Trace pull-down arrow and choose Color
6. This will convert the map to a vector object.

8
With the map selected, go to Object>Envelope Distort>Make with Warp. Enter the same
settings as before: Fish shape, Horizontal Selected, Bend at 10%, and Horizontal
Distortion set to 14 and Vertical Distortion set to 17.

9
With the map selected, go to Object>Arrange>Send to Back and then change it's
Transparency to 70% (Window>Transparency).

10
Click-and-drag the map directly underneath the text. Now both the map and the text are
curving on the same shape coordinates. What's neat about this is that you can still edit
the text. Go to Object>Envelope Distort>Edit Contents and use the Text tool to edit the
text. I changed the text "shook the four corners" to bold.

Computer Display
Windows Vista Icon
Adobe Illustrator Tutorial

You must have some experience with the Pen Tool before you do this tutorial.
Everthing in the picture is done with the Pen Tool and the Ellipse Tool.

Fill everthing except the highlights with the Gradient Tool. Give the highlights a
blue/white gradient and put it on Screen.

Select these object with the Selection Tool while holding shift. Go to Object ->
Path -> Offset Path and use 1.5 px and Round. Select the new outlines with the

Direct Selection Tool and use the Gradient Tool on them. The last thing you
have to do is to select the highlights on the screen and go to Filter -> Blur ->
Gaussian Blur.

When you are done you should have a Computer Display Windows Vista Icon
that looks something like this.

Creating a Quick and Easy Glass Bowl

Tutorials, Free September 01st, 2006 By Meghan Murphy

With just a circle, a few ovals and the Inner Glow effect, you can create a quick and very
useful glass bowl image in Illustrator. And once you master this technique, it can be easily
adapted for many different uses.

1Create a circle with the Ellipse tool. Hold down the Shift key while dragging open your
circle to keep it perfectly round. Change the Fill and Stroke color to White.

2Again using the Ellipse tool, create an oval that slightly overlaps the edges of your initial
circle as shown here.

3With both the circle and the overlapping oval selected with the Selection tool (Shift-click
each or drag a selection around them), go to the Pathfinder menu (Window>Pathfinder if it's
not already open) and click the Divide button.

4Go to Object>Ungroup to separate the newly divided shapes.

5With the Selection tool, select the top of the circle and the oval (and any other small
pieces that may have been created in the division process) and press Delete. This should
leave only the main bowl shape.

6Now with the bowl shape still selected, go to Effect>Stylize>Inner Glow. In the Inner Glow
menu, double-click on the color square and choose a medium blue from the Color Picker
(write this color name down; for example, 09B1CC; we'll need it later). Set the Mode to
Normal, the Opacity at 35%, and Blur at 35 pt. Make sure the Edge button at the bottom of
the Inner Glow menu, not the Center button, is selected, and click OK.

7To make the bowl's rim, first make an oval with the Ellipse tool that fits right on top of the
main bowl shape like shown here. Then change the oval's Fill and Stroke color to White if it is
not already. With this oval selected, go to Effect>Stylize>Inner Glow. In the Inner Glow
menu set the Mode to Normal, the Opacity at 20%, and the Blur at 11 pt. The color should
be the same blue you used for the main bowl shape.

8Create one more oval; this one goes in the middle of the one created in Step Seven.
Select this oval, change its Fill and Stroke to White if it's not already, and then go to
Effect>Stylize>Inner Glow. Set the Mode to Normal, the Opacity at 35% and the Blur at
20pt.

9Hold down Option (PC: Alt) and click-and-drag this new oval and move it to the bottom of
the bowl shape. This duplicates it. While holding down the Shift key to maintain its

proportions, scale down the oval till it sits comfortably at the bottom of the bowl.

10Add some shine to your new bowl with white circles placed in the top left and bottom
right of the bowl.

11I've added a few fish using the Pen tool.

Creatingaribbonin
Ever wondered how you draw a ribbon in Adobe Illustrator? A while ago a reader e-mailed
me with this question. A prefect tip for a step-by-step tutorial, I hope you enjoy it :)

Step 1 - draw the first part of the ribbon

A basic knowledge on how to use the pen tool and how to draw bezier curves is needed to
get started with this tutorial.

Draw a curved line that looks similar to the illustration above. Hold down the shift key while
dragging the handles in the last point of the curved line. Drag a vertical guide onto the
curved line as shown in the picture above. To make it snap to the exact position, make sure
that Smart Guides is checked (View > Smart Guides or command/control + U).

Step 2 - break the curve into 2 parts

Because we'll have to apply different shades and we need to create depth into the ribbon, we
need to cut the ribbon into different segments.

Select the Scissors Tool and click on the location on the path as shown in the picture above.
With the Smart Guides active you'll get the 'intersect' text when your cursor is at the right
spot. Now the path is cut into 2 segments. Select both segments, hold down the shift +
option/alt key and drag/copy the paths vertically as shown in the picture above.

Step 3 - close the paths

Close the paths as shown in the picture below, so the ribbon exists of 2 segments. Select
both segments, select the Rotate Tool and click while holding down the alt/option on the
location as shown below in the picture, enter 180 and click the Copy button.

Step 4 - rotate and duplicate the 2 segments of the ribbon

Advanced users will probably just click on the exact location, hold down the alt/option and
shift key while dragging the segment to the correct location as show in the picture below.

Chances are that both segments don't perfectly match. Select the 2 new segments, zoom in,
and drag them to the exact location. With Smart Guides still checked it'll snap and you'll see
the word 'origin' appearing.

Step 5 - merge the middle segments of the ribbon into 1 segment

Select the 2 middle segments of the ribbon and click on the "Add to shape" option in the
Pathfinder palette. This way Illustrator will treat these parts of the ribbon as 1 object which
will make it easier when we give this segment a fill.

Step 6 - giving the ribbon segments a gradient fill

Our ribbon is now divided into 3 segments. All we need to do now is give each segment its
own fill. To add dimension and depth we need to use a different (linear) gradient on each
segment:

First segment gradient consists of : 50% cyan and 7% magenta, 32% cyan and 4%
magenta, then again 50% cyan and 7% magenta followed by 69% cyan and 10% magenta.

Second segment gradient consists of the following swatches : 67% cyan and 15% magenta,
50% cyan and 7% magenta, then 23% cyan followed by 31% cyan and 5% magenta.

Last segment gradient consists of : 50% cyan and 7% magenta, then again 50% cyan and
7% magenta followed by 31% cyan and 5% magenta.

You probably have to use 'Send to back' or 'Bring to front' on the different segments to get
them into the correct perspective.

Step 7 - fine tuning the centered curve of the ribbon

As you probably have notice, the curve in the center doesn't look that natural. That's
because I drew that part holding down the shift key, but this was needed to make sure the
rotated ribbon would match perfectly on the original one. I can correct this very easily, but
first I need to expand the 2 merged segments. Select both segments and click 'Expand' in
the Pathfinder palette. This way the vertical line connecting the 2 segments disappear and
we have only 2 bezier points left. Now it's a matter of dragging the handles into the
preferred position to smooth the curve of the ribbon.

Ah! Much better don't you think? :)

Drawing a Deer in Illustrator Tutorial

Home Tutorials Illustrator Tutorials

Steps:
1. We will draw a deer as it is stitched on a piece of cloth.
2. Draw a free hand square with Pencil Tool (P),
the shape need not to be accurate square.

3. Color the square with yellow fill and no stroke; Draw two other squares with in the first square
and color them with no fill and red and green stoke; To make the stitched look choose the "Dashed
Line" option in stroke Palette and insert 3 pt in the 1st Dash Box and 3 pt in 1st Gap Box.

4. Now draw the deer with The Pencil Tool and give the stitched look as before; make some small
circles with Ellipse Tool (L);

5. Now we have to create our own swatch. It is

very easy task. At first draw some stitched lines
and place them very condensed way.

6. Select all the lines and drag to the swatch

palette; a plus sign appeared, now release the
mouse. Our swatch is created.

7. Select the beer and set the fill with the swatch that we have just created.

8. Our Deer is ready !!!

Drawing Homer Simpson In Illustrator

SEP 13, 2007

Hey

Illustrator is a great program. It offers so much versatility in creating vector

images. Hence why it is the top vector program out there. As a beginner to
this program I want to share with you a tutorial that is simple to follow that
you can use to draw Homer Simpson of The Simpsons. It is really easy to do
but it does take a long while if you want to get it correct and good looking.
What we would hopefully be working towards is something shown on the right.
That image is lifted directly out of I had made. All the included colours will be
given although you can download the swatches from the source file if you
want to load them directly. If you want to see any of the image screen shots
full size please click on them.
Step 1 is simple create for canvas and suitably name it. A size under 800 x 600
is perfect because the source file we will be working on isn't the best of
quality. Remember to save the file once as you click OK. You don't want to
lose all of your work because you didn't save your file.

You next need to create a layer for the background image that we are going to
trace. Rename the existing layer (If you need your layer palette up go Window
> Layers) and naming it something useful (and spelled correctly (D'Oh)). The
next step is to lock the layer by checking the tick box. Locking the layer
prevents you from moving it are changing any of the attributes when working.

The next step is to copy and paste or place the image below onto this layer.
You can either resize it to a large size if it is to small or leave it as it is.

You should have something that looks like this. When you lock the layer there
will be a small pad lock by the eye. If can always click and unclick the pad
lock to edit and change the layer as necessary. This will be done numerous
times to different layers.

The next step is to start drawing. Use the Pen tool (P) and set the stroke to
about 2. Change this depending on the size of your image. One thing to
remember is that a thinner line will be added on to the image later.

Once you have selected the pen tool create a new layer. Name it outline. The
carefully draw around the outline of Homer. Make sure that you adjust the
curves as needed with the White Pointed Tool (A).

Once you have spent some time carefully adjusting the image you should have
a good outline. Through out the creating of this tutorial I was always going
back and changing the outline to look both good and fit to the original sketch.

You now need to reduce the stoke size of the brush. The inner lines are
smaller and thinner due to the detail.

Again, follow the sketch outline using the 1 stroke brush. One thing to note is
that the left eye is better if you use the ellipse tool. It is easier to get the
round shape.

Continue down the body tracing the image as necessary. The more time and
effort you put into getting all the lines to match up is vital. The image does
look better in the end. Remember to add in the backs of his eyes.

One thing that might become apparent when drawing your image is problem
areas due to the edges of the brush strokes. The one below is shown be his
sleeve opening. This can be solved in an easy way.

Go Object > Path > Outline Stroke. The converts the single line to a block
shape. You can then move the points by hand to match up and cover up any
errors.

You can then move the points and make the sleeve look better.

The next step is to start creating the coloured skin. Homer Simpsons skin is
defined by the colours below. You can use the colour palette included in the
source pack.

Begin by making the colour the yellow you just created and the stroke to 0 or
the colour invisible. Use the pen tool.

Create a new layer. Name it colour. Lock the outline layer so you can't change
it while you are working on the colour layer.

Go around the outline of skin with the pen tool. You don't have to be to
careful when you make the points as along as all the skin is filled in and there
is no white bits left.

You need to continue with other parts of his skin. The beard is RGB 238, 205,
128. You can download the colour values from the source pack.

The next step is to move onto his feet and finally on to his shoes. The blue
used will be slightly different and darker to the original used in the sketch.
The colour values are shown below.

He is starting to come to look good now.

The final part of block colouring is to do his shoes. These are dark and use the
colour values RGB 85, 85, 85. Again use the pen tool and go around the shape
of his shoes.

They are coloured in a look like so.

He really does look cool at the moment and hopefully should yours. Give
yourself a pat on the back for you good work. But you can make it even better
with some shadows.

The shadows use the same basic colours but are darkened. These colours are
not in the source pack so you have to make them yourself.

These is where your artistic talent comes in. Use the pen tool again with no
stroke and the fill set to the shadow colour. Make and out line shape of the
shadow and use the reference image as a source. I've moved the sketch image
off to the left so I can easily refer to it. Use a new layer if you want to.

Continue around all parts of the skin.

If you look at the layer palette below i've locked all but the shadow layer I am
working on. By the way the path under Shadow shouldn't be locked. I clicked
the button by accident before taking the screen shot.

Although from the screen cap it may be difficult to notice all of the skin has a
shadow.

Continue now with the shadow of the trousers. The colour shadow is RGB 83,
124, 180. Again create a shadow by following the sketch image as a source.

The shaodws really bring the image to life and they look a lot less 2D.

You need to do the same with the grey for his t-shirt. I've used the default

light grey that is included with the colours with Illustrator.

At this point my homer looks very similar to the original copy.

You need to do again the shadows on his feet. I've used another of the default
greys.

All you need to do now is finish off by sorting out any stray lines. I've added

some text for extra effect (and people no I did it). As well as this there is also
a shadow. This again uses one of the greys built into the colour palette.

3D Pill
All those long hours and sleepless nights designing can really get to you. With
this tutorial you'll learn how to create a 3D pill to cure your design headaches!

STEP ONE
Using the Ellipse Tool, draw out a circle. Hold down Shift to make the circle
proportional. Choose any color for the fill. You don't need a stroke color.

STEP TWO
Using the Rectangle Tool, draw out a rectangle making sure it overlaps the
circle. To help you with lining the shapes up while drawing, make sure the
Smart Guides are on. Go to View > Smart Guides and make sure it's selected.

STEP THREE

Now let's merge the shapes together. Using the Selection Tool (the black arrow),
select both shapes. Hold down Shift to select multiple shapes. Go to Window >
Pathfinder to open up your Pathfinder palette. While holding Alt click on the
"Add to shape area" option.

STEP FOUR
We have the bottom half of the pill done. Let's create the top half now. Select
your bottom half with the Selection Tool (the black arrow) and then go to Object
> Transform > Reflect. Choose "Horizontal" and then click "Copy". A second
shape was just created. You want to move this shape up so that it meets up
nicely with the bottom half of the pill. You should have the following:

I filled the top half of the pill with white and no stroke color.

STEP FIVE
Because we're going to make these shapes 3D using the Revolve feature, we only
need half of each of them. So using the Rectangle Tool draw out a rectangle over
the two shapes. We'll use this to cut the shapes in half.

STEP SIX
Before we cut away from the shapes we need to keep a copy of the rectangle
shape in memory. You'll see why in a second. So make sure the rectangle shape
is selected and go to Edit > Copy or hit Control + C.
Now using the Selection Tool (the black arrow) select the rectangle and bottom
shape. Hold down Shift to select multiple shapes. Go to Window > Pathfinder to
open up your Pathfinder palette (if it isn't already opened from before). While
holding Alt click on the "Subtract from shape area" option. You should be left
with the following:

STEP SEVEN
Notice that the rectangle shape is now gone. We still need it though to do the
same thing to the top shape. That's why we made a copy of it. So go to Edit >
Paste in Front and the rectangle is available again.
Using the Selection Tool (the black arrow) select the rectangle and top shape.
Hold down Shift to select multiple shapes. While holding Alt click on the
"Subtract from shape area" option on your Pathfinder palette. You should be left
with the following:

I selected both shapes and grouped them together. You can do this by going to
Object > Group or hitting Control + G.

STEP EIGHT
Let's get to the 3D now! With the grouped shapes selected go to Effect > 3D >
Revolve. The following box appears:

Make sure the "Preview" option is selected. Also, make sure the Offset is set to
Right Edge. Since we were using shapes on the left we need the revolve to go
right! Play around with the Position and Surface to your liking.

STEP NINE
One other thing to note is the "Map Art" option. If you've already clicked ok
when you were in the previous step you can always get back to an effect by going
to Windows > Appearance. This will open your Appearance palette. Double click
on an effect to edit it.
The "Map Art" option will allow you to place a symbol on your 3D shape. For
example, I want to place my logo on there. First, you need to make sure it's a
symbol. Go to Window > Symbol to open your Symbol palette and then drag
your logo in:

Click on the "Map Art" option. The first thing to do is choose which surface area
of the pill you want it to appear on. I chose surface area 5 and then selected my
logo from the drop down box:

Then position your logo where you want it. You can also select to shade your
logo by checking the "Shade Artwork" option:

Here is my final result:

Metallic Text Effect

Step 1
Open a new document in Adobe Illustrator and draw a rectangle with the black
background. Type whatever you want inside the rectangle. I chose Bauer like the
name of the font I used:

Step 2
Select your text and right click and choose Create Outlines:

Step 3
In Swatch Tab choose the white-black gradient color for your text:

Step 4
Set the gradient properties in the Gradient Tab Tool like this:

Set the stroke color to dark grey and the stroke weight to 2 pixels (in the Stroke Tab).
Adjust the gradient position and youll get this:

Step 5
Ok. Now add a reflection to your text. Duplicate your text (select and CTRL+C, then
CTRL+V) and Object > Transform > Reflect:

Remove the stroke and set the gradient properties like here:

Step 6
Now change the text shear angle (Object > Transform > Shear) to 40 degrees and
resize the text to a small height dimension. Youre done:

Paper Scroll - Illustrator Tutorial

Create a rectangle with the "Rectangle Tool".

Use the "Pucker Tool" on the edges of the paper.

Add two rounded rectangles at the top and at the bottom.

Make the paper torn by adding little objects like in the picture with the "Pen Tool".
Select the paper and the little objects and click on "Subtract from shape area" in the
"Pathfinder" palette.

Use the "Gradient Tool" for the highlights on the paper.

Use these settings for the other two objects.

Picture Frame in Illustrator Tutorial

Home Tutorials Illustrator Tutorials

Steps :
1. Open your favorite picture and then choose File>Save as..; Save it with .ai extension.
2. Make a black rectangle.

3. Now select the "Mesh" tool from the tool box

or press U from keyboard; set the color for the
"Mesh" tool with no stroke and dark red fill.
4. Click to the upper right corner on the black rectangle.

5. Again with the "Mesh" tool click several times near the corners.

6. Now place the photo in the center of the

rectangle. And then Select All and shear them a
little bit with the "Shear" tool.

7. With the "Direct Selection" Tool (A) make the upper right and lower left corners slightly sloped.

8. Draw some Spirals and Stars by the sides of the photo with "Spiral" Tool and "Star" Tool and
color them with no stroke and light red fill. While drawing with these tools you can increase or
decrease the segments (of spiral) and points (of star) by pressing "up" arrow or "down" arrow
respectively.

9. Now draw two straight line with the "Line Segment" Tool, color them with light red color and
place them at near the top and near the left side to indicate the edges.

10. With the "Rectangle" tool draw a small black rectangle and reshape it with the "Direct
Selection" tool as the figure; make similar and slightly smaller copy of that and color it with black
and white gradient. Now place the smaller one onto the other one.

10. Select both of them and choose Object>Group. Now place them beside the frame as the
stand.

11. Photo frame is drawn. Isn't it easy??

Creating a 3D Model in Illustrator - by Jinesh Vora

A submission made to Oman3D Tutorial Competition 2005

This tutorial will teach you how to make 3D glasses on a carpet using
Adobe Illustrator. The making of this same 'model' in 3D Studio Max
has been demonstrated in a previous tutorial at Oman3D. You will
learn here how easily it is to create a simple 3d model using Adobe
Illustrator rather than using any 3D program such as 3D Studio Max.
The technique that we will use in this tutorial will involve creating a
single slice of the object that we want to create and then using the
"Revolve" effect to convert our slice into a 3D object. Read on to learn
the exact steps on how to do this.

Create a new Illustrator file using the default settings. We will start
by creating our single slice of the object. Use the pen tool to create
the object you see in the image below. Use a white stroke colour and
a blank fill.

Once you have this object ready select it and use the Revolve effect
that is found under Effect>3D>Revolve. Configure the settings as
shown in the image above and make sure to set the Surface effect to
"Defuse Shading". Click on OK to see the instant result of our work!

It is now time to create the second glass in the scene. First of all,
duplicate the glass that we already made, you can simple press and
hold ALT while dragging the image using your mouse to get a
duplicate copy of it. Open the Appearance Palette from the Window
menu above, in the Appearance Palette find the 3D Revolve Effect and
double click it. Change the rotation around the x, y, and z axis to
-44, 0 and 100. Once you click on OK you should see the second
glass created.
It is now time to make our carpets. You can use any design you wish
for the carpets, I personally created these using the library
Decorative Brushes ( Window>Brush Library>Decorative Brush>Celtic
- 0.5pt stroke weight ). You can copy and paste the image that I
supplied here to use for your own project.

After aligning both carpets at the centre vertically and horizontally,

now using the perspective view skew the carpets to get a similar
scene to that shown in the image below

Adding the Shadow of the Glasses

Create an ellipse shape in a size similar to the glass. Use a blank
stroke and a 25% gray colour for the fill. Using the "Effect Menu"
apply the Gaussian Blur to the shape. Once done arrange the shadow
to the back of the glasses.
To add a shadow for the second glass lied down. Copy the actual
glass and change its 3D Revolve Effect from the Appearance Palette.
Here you will have to click on the "More Options" button to make the
Light Intensity to Zero. After that you will have to apply the Gaussian
Blur effect and arrange it to the back in the same way you did to the
first glass.

- End of tutorial.

Abstract Background

In my previous tutorial, Ive showed you how to

make stylish flower with Blend Tool. This tutorial shows you how to make hi-tech style
abstract background with Illustrator Blend Tool. Very cool and simple!
Version: Illustrator 9+
Download Source File

1. Gradient background
Create a rectangular path and fill it with blue gradient.

2. Screen gradient paths

Create another path with Blue-Black gradient and select Screen Blending Mode. This
will create a lighter blue gradient shade. If your color setting is CMYK, make sure the
black is full black (C,M,Y,K=100). The red arrow on the image is the direction of the
gradient fill.

Repeat the previous step to create another Screen gradient path.

3. Abstract wave

Make 2 white stroke paths.

4. Blend Tool
Go to Object > Blend > Blend Options, enter Specified Steps = 20. Then with the 2
strokes selected, go to Object > Blend > Make or press Ctrl+Alt+B. This will blend 2
white strokes and create an abstract wave effect. If you want to change the Blend step,
you can go to Object > Blend > Blend Options or double click the Blend Tool(B) on
the tool bar.

5. Change stroke color

Use Direct Selection Tool (A), select one of strokes and change it to blue stroke color.
Notice how 2 strokes blend from blue to white. Isnt this cool?

6. Wild blend
Now go wild with your Pen tool, create 2 wavy strokes and blend them. Play around
with the Blend step, stroke weight and color.

Repeat the steps and create the last abstract blend, from blue to purple.

Final
Your image should look like something below:

Abstract Desktop Wallpaper

Now you can use this abstract image for your desktop wallpaper. Download this abstract
background for your desktop wallpaper.

Configurar la pagina segn sea sus necesidades, el

modo de color debe ser RGB.

Dibuje un elipse y pntelo de rojo o del color que

le agrade.
Dibuje un elipse mas pequeo que el anterior y
agrguele un color diferente al del elipse anterior
Ahora coloque el elipse pequeo sobre el elipse
grande y borre los contornos de ambos elipses
Seleccione los objetos y en la caja de herramientas
seleccionaremos la herramienta fusin
le
daremos un clic al elipse pequeo y otro al elipse
grande para obtener la siguiente imagen.
Si en algn momento tuviera que mover el elipse
amarillo puede utilizar el puntero blanco
seleccin directa no importa que ya este
fusionado.

Inserte un elipse blanco sin contornos y

agrgueselo a la figura anterior como se muestra
en la siguiente figura.

Al elipse blanco agrguele un degradado lineal y

modifique la direccin de este con la herramienta
degradado y aplquela de arriba hacia
abajo.

Seleccione el elipse con degradado y baya al panel

transparencia (transparency) y en la opcin
normal seleccione aclarar (screen).

Ahora seleccionaremos la esfera y posteriormente

agrupe (ctrl + g), puede duplicar la esfera y
modificar el color de cada uno de los elementos
con el puntero blanco (seleccin directa), as
como se muestra en la siguiente imagen.

Glassy Text [ back ]

Type your text.

Select it with the Selection Tool and click on it with the right mouse button. Choose

Create Outlines. Create a wave with the Pen Tool and set both colors on None.

Select both objects with the Selection Tool and click on Pathfinders: Divide.

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select all the above objects. Click on Shape Modes:
Add to shape area. Then click on Expand. Do the same thing with the rest.

Select all the above objects and use the Gradient Tool to fill it up. Do the same with
the rest in a darker color.

Image Panels Floating Over a Ghosted Image

Jeff Witchel | Tutorials, InDesign | October 07th, 2005
In my last tutorial, I discussed "Creating a Window Through Your Brochure Cover." The steps involved in creating the die cut
look of the layout, resulted in some interesting feedback from readers. One particular reader's comments stood out. Gary
Spedding asked the following question - "Is there a way to create a transparent look within InDesign using an image in the
background with panels floating above it which contain the same image perfectly lined up with the original image beneath?" I
always say that I learn as much about various applications from other users questions as I do from actually using the programs
myself on a daily basis. This question not only made me think, the answer lead to the following tutorial.
In this tutorial, I will discuss setting up a document, using Margins, Columns and Ruler Guides, the Paste Into command,
Compound Paths, Ghosting an image and Drop Shadows.

STEP 1: Setting Up Simplicity.

Set up a new 8.5" X 11" document (File > New) with four columns but no text frame. Make the Gutters .1875" and the Margins .
375" on the top, left and right, and 3" on the bottom and click OK. Drag Ruler Guides to .75" and 7.75" on the X axis, and .75"
and 7.625" on the Y Axis. The Mar-gins, Column Guides and Ruler Guides will make it simple to line everything up perfectly in
our layout as we move forward.

STEP 2: Building Our Look from the Bottom Up.

Draw a Picture Frame using the Rectangle Frame tool (F) that fills the Margins to the left, right, top, and bottom. Place an image
in this Frame (File > Place).

STEP 3: Preparing to Panel Your Picture.

Draw four additional Picture Frames over the top of the original Frame using the Margin and the Column Guides for size and
position. To make them easier to see, add a white fill by selecting "Paper" from the Swatches palette. These Frames will
become your floating panels.

STEP 4: How Can Four Picture Frames Contain One Picture.

Select your four "panel" Frames and make them into a Compound Path. (Object > Compound Path > Make) This will combine
the four "panel" Frames into one Compound Frame, so there will be just one X going through all four combined Frames.

STEP 5: An Original Look Starts with a Copy.

Click between two of panels to select your big background image Frame with the Direct Selection tool. Then Copy the image
(Edit > Copy).

STEP 6: Paste a Little Magic.

Select your combined "panels" Frame with your Selection tool and go to Edit > Paste Into. This will paste your image (copied
from the back Frame) into the combined front Frame at exactly the same size and position as in your back Frame.

STEP 7: Making Panels Float Above a Ghost.

With the panels still selected, apply a Drop Shadow (Object > Drop Shadows) to the panels to make them float above the page.
Then select the back image and lower it's Opacity to 30% in the Transparency palette.

STEP 8: Re-sizing Your Panels Is A Snap.

Select the combined "panel" Frame with your Selection tool and drag the sides of the Bounding Box in, snapping to the Ruler
Guides that you drew in Step 1. This should position your panels 1/2" in from the original background Frame on all sides). And
don't worry, only the Compound frame will re-size. The size and position of the picture will not change at all.

STEP 9: Some Impossible Tweaks Add Interest.

Just to make our panels a little more interesting, Gary suggested varying the size and position up and down vertically. Hmm! But
is it possible to select and change the individual parts of a Compound Path. Yes! First select your panels with your Selection tool
(V), and switch to your Direct Selection tool (A). Using the Direct Selection tool, click on the top side of the first panel and click
the Down Arrow on your keyboard. Or you also can click on this top segment and Shift-Drag straight down the page. The Shift
key constrains your re-sizing vertically down the page. Vary the other panels, up or down, using the same method.

STEP 10: A Blooming Beautiful Finish.

All that's left is adding your type and you're finished creating quite an interesting image entirely in InDesign as part of a layout.
Thanks for question Gary!
Jeff Witchel is an Adobe Certified Instructor for Adobe InDesign CS2 and Adobe Illustrator CS2 with training clients in New York,
New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Jeff also is a regular on the Layers Forum, known to many as "AdobeAce."
Training website - http://mywebpages.comcast.net/AdobeAce
Portfolio website - http://mywebpages.comcast.net/witcheladv
Garden image from iStockphoto - www.istockphoto.com

Step 1

Create a new document 500x500 pixels in size (or whatever suits your

project best).

Step 2

Insert the object to want to 3Dize. In this example I will be doing an X

Reduced: 96% of original size [ 531 x 407 ] - Click to view full image

Step 3

No go to Effect->Warp->Squeeze. Then try and warp your text to suit

your needs. Only change either Horizontal or Vertical.
Image Reduced

(35.1k)

Step 4

Copy the layer and make it a different color so you can distinguish
between them. Place this on a new layer. Here you have a choice. To
get effect A (see bottom of tutorial) move diagonally up, if you want
effect B move it only horizontally (shift). Ofcourse you can
experiment.
Reduced: 82% of original size [ 622 x 588 ] - Click to view full image

Step 5

Now the 3Dness starts! Grab your pen tool and start connection the
corresponding edges to each other (The images below will guide you
with the X.) At this stage you have to think which parts would show or

not.

Reduced: 99% of original size [ 514 x 493 ] - Click to view full image

Reduced: 87% of original size [ 582 x 492 ] - Click to view full image

Reduced: 90% of original size [ 564 x 494 ] - Click to view full image

Step 6

Now just change the front object and the 3Dness shape to colors to
suit.
Reduced: 88% of original size [ 581 x 529 ] - Click to view full image

FROM NOW ON YOU CAN STOP AT ANY STEP

Step 7

In this step I figured out which parts would be darker and drew a new
shape over these areas, then made it a darker color.
Reduced: 85% of original size [ 597 x 507 ] - Click to view full image

Step 8

I figured that the amount of light decreases in gradients so I tried to

mimick this. I went Effect->Stylize->Feather and used the settings
below:

The result below: (AKA Result A)

Reduced: 95% of original size [ 537 x 483 ] - Click to view full image

Result B below, in this step I stopped at the first chance I got to show
you another difference
Reduced: 90% of original size [ 567 x 470 ] - Click to view full image