Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Advanced object editing

Once you mastered the basic object editing in Adobe® Illustrator® CS2, it’s time to tackle some more advanced object editing. In this series of short video tutorials from the Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator series by Mordy Golding, you’ll learn about:

• Pathfinder
• Cloning objects
• Advanced selections
• Aligning and distributing objects
• Blends in Illustrator
• Applying transparent effects
• Creating and using symbols
• Paste Inside vs. Clipping Mask

To follow along with the tutorials, download the advancedobjectediting.zip file.

advancedobjectediting.zip (ZIP, 1.1M)

Pathfinder

In this short tutorial, learn about the Pathfinder feature in Illustrator CS2, which is similar to Path Operations feature in FreeHand®. Mordy will show you how to work with compound shapes much as you would in Adobe Photoshop®.

Watch the video (3:42 minutes)

Cloning objects

If you want to make a quick copy of something, clone it! In this video tutorial, learn how to use the Copy and Paste In Front commands in Illustrator to mimic the Clone command in FreeHand. Also learn about the various options for “cloning” objects in Illustrator CS2.

Watch the video (1:53 minutes)

Advanced selections

Advance your object selecting skills in Illustrator CS2. Watch this video to learn about the various tools on the Select menu in Illustrator, as well as other options for selecting objects, such as using the Magic Wand tool.

Watch the video (4:35 minutes)

Aligning and distributing objects

Learn how to align objects precisely in Illustrator by watching this short video tutorial. Mordy shows you all the options in the Align palette. Mordy shares a great tip for aligning one object with another by making one a key object.

Watch the video (4:24 minutes)

Blends in Illustrator

See how the blend capabilities in Illustrator CS2 are very comparable to those in FreeHand. Watch this short video tutorial for a quick lesson on creating blends in Illustrator.

Watch the video (3:52 minutes)

Applying transparent effects

Spice up your designs by adding transparency to them. Make objects see-through or apply other effects to them by using the Transparency palette in Illustrator CS2. Also, learn how you can apply blend modes in Illustrator just as you can in Adobe Photoshop®.

Watch the video (3:09 minutes)

Creating and using symbols

Check out the Symbols feature in Illustrator. CS2 Symbols allow you to reuse the same objects easily. In this short video tutorial, Mordy will show you how to create and use symbols.

Watch the video (2:53 minutes)

Paste Inside vs. Clipping Mask

In this short video tutorial, see how the Paste Inside command in FreeHand translates to Clipping Mask feature in Illustrator. Discover how you can use clipping masks to create irregularly shaped objects.

Watch the video (3:21 minutes)

Where to go from here

For more information about Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator, check out the following resources:

• Adobe Illustrator CS2: FreeHand to Illustrator migration guide (PDF, 6.5M)by the experts at Adobe
• Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Getting started, by Mordy Golding
• Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Migrating exisiting content, by Mordy Golding
• Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Working with multiple pages, by Mordy Golding
• Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Basic object editing, by Mordy Golding
• Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Working with text, by Mordy Golding
• Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Live Trace and Live Paint, by Mordy Golding
• Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Enhancing creativity, by Mordy Golding
• Migrating from FreeHand to Illustrator: Enhancing productivity, by Mordy Golding

About the authors