Here are 2 simple ways you can dramatically reduce filesize of your Illustrator production files:
Step one:
Before exporting your Illustrator file to another more universal format (such as EPS), or even if you are sharing the .ai file you can remove unused swatches, brushes etc from your document; these unused components add to the size of your document!
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I wanted to write out a quick tutorial on how to create dynamic pattern text using Illustrator CS3.
This will really just cover how to add a pattern to the text, without much fuss or sweat; I did notice that the pattern I chose turned out to not work great in this instance, so be careful on the pattern you choose beforehand to make sure it will tile well (within text).
Okay, let’s get started: First off head over to a really kool site Patternwall.com to find a good tilable pattern.
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I have some dynamic text for you to download; with a choice of 5 different camouflage patterns. These can be typed into any words/sentences you need – using any font you want! I made these in Arial Black since most people will have that font by default, but feel free to play with the fonts/sizing/offsets to get the just-right look you need.
Download Dynamic Camo Text (225)
I had so much fun making my last set of Illustrator Brushes that I wanted to try something new! These are 15 geometric (squares, rectangles, circles) brushes.
I’ve added a quick little fun “drawing” using the supplied brushes.
I hope you can find these useful.
Installation:
- Download the brush set after the jump
- Unzip the .ai file
- Browse to your Illustrator Presets/Brushes folder
- Copy Orkron_brush-set-02.ai to this folder
- Reload Illustrator if already open
- Click Window->Brush Libraries->Orkron_brush-set-02
- Enjoy!
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I was playing around with some tools in Illustrator CS3 today, and found myself making some fun & interesting brush sets. So, naturally I decided to keep making more and offer them for download here!
The set comes with 10 unique brushes, each one ready for color and your creative ideas. Use the spiral tool, use the brush tool, set the fill to blank, and the stroke to any color you like. Load my brush set and start playing around!
Here’s a quick preview:
Installation:
- Download the brush set after the jump
- Unzip the .ai file
- Browse to your Illustrator Presets/Brushes folder
- Copy Orkron_brush-set-01.ai to this folder
- Reload Illustrator if already open
- Click Window->Brush Libraries->Orkron_brush-set-01
- Enjoy!
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I spend a large percentage of each day creating Newspaper and Magazine Advertisements through the design firm I work for. I’d say a good 70% of each day is focused primarily on that.
If you’re familiar with doing these types of ads, you’ll know that you get some of the weirdest dimensions to work with; forget the difference between picas and pixel, or inches vs. points: I’m talking when the work order slides onto my desk with a 3-column inch by 4.997 inch height…
Okay, so you get the specs and you’re looking at something like: 4.265″ wide x 4.997″ high (or whatever). The thing about Illustrator is that when you create a new document, it only goes two decimal places out and that’s just not okay to lob off your client’s ad-space (even if it is virtually nothing).
I’m writing this article to explain the best practice method I’ve come up with over the years; hopefully it will help you streamline your workflow by removing the struggle you might face if you happen to set up your document wrong in the beginning.
I’m writing this for Illustrator CS3, but CS4 works the same. Other versions of Illustrator have these option but they may be placed a little different.
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