220 - Vector Text in Illustrator ~
Learn These Tools & Concepts:
Text and Font in Illustrator
Outline Text
3D
• This tutorial is part of the Package Redesign Project and others.
Other People's Work:
Here are examples of work inspired by this tutorial.
Step #1: Open Your Project in Illustrator ~
Open YOUR PROJECT in Illustrator (remember: all these tutorials are intended to be applied to YOUR PROJECT), and ...
... make a New Layer and lock your others.
Step #2: Text and Font ~
Get the Type Tool ...
... draw a box and type something you can use IN YOUR PROJECT.
If you can't think of anything, try a Call to Action! like these: https://www.netatlantic.com/blog/2012/04/20-effective-call-to-action-cta-phrases/
Also, pick your own Font, Size and Colo r in the menu bar.
• OR, if you want, go to: http://www.dafont.com/ and search for a font that fits your project theme - learn more about downloading and installing Fonts from this tutorial.
Step #3: Create Outlines ~
Switch to the Selection Tool or hit the keyboard shortcut (t) ...
... Right-Click the text and select Create Outlines.
Step #4: Ungroup ~
First, make sure all of the letters are ungrouped. Right-Click and select Ungroup or go to: Object > Ungroup.
Step #5: Free Transform ~
Select the first letter with the Selection Tool 
... then get the Free Transform Tool or hit the shortcut letter E.
Click-and-hold on the top-left corner of the transform box. Press-and-hold 
and drag the corner to manipulate the shape of the letter.
The Free Transform Tool takes a little getting used too. Rotate, nudge and reposition rest of the letters to break up the text and make it look more active.
Step #6: Copy the Text ~
Select all the letters, copy them and then go to: Edit > Paste in Back or hit the keyboard shortcut (Cmd+B).
Step #7: Add Stroke ~
Add a color to the Stroke from your Swatches selection...
... and adjust the size and shape to give the text a background.
Step #8: Pathfinder ~
Go to: Window > Pathfinder and choose "Unite" ...
... to unite the background text into a single image.
Step #9: Gradient Background ~
Make sure nothing is selected (click on an empty area of the artboard), click the Gradient Tool …
… select Linear …
… and set both sides of the gradient colors by clicking on the sliders.
Once you get your gradient set, select the outline of your text and apply it.
Rotate the angle of the gradient, if necessary …
… try different colors, settings and other options. Experiment! Try different stuff!
Step #10: Add Another Text Outline ~
Select the inner text again by shift clicking all the letters, copy them and paste behind by hitting the keyboard shortcut (Cmd+B), open the Stroke Panel and modify the stroke again.
Now we've got three layers of stroked text ...
Step #11: 3D ~
Now select the inner-most text with the Selection Tool (keyboard shortcut v) and set their color ...
... and, with the text selected, go to: Effect > 3D > Extrude and Bevel, select Preview, and play around.
Last Step: Save and Attach ~
Save your work as - [ LASTNAME-FIRSTNAME-PROJECTNAME.ai]
Attach it!
• ALWAYS save your projects using the following naming convention:
LASTNAME-FIRSTNAME-PROJECTNAME
• DO NOT name your project any other way - Improperly named projects will not receive credit and you will be sad.
• NEVER leave your work on the desktop or depend on a flash drive - instead, save your work in a folder you can find later - preferably on a virtual drive where it can be backed up.
Other Resources: http://alandesigns.com/blog/how-to-make-a-cartoon-style-cereal-box-logo-in-adobe-illustrator-cs3/
