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How to Create a Stained Glass Effect in Illustrator

Nov 16th in Designing, Effects by Diana Berg
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This tutorial shows how to create a stained glass effect in Adobe Illustrator. The method is rather quick and simple, but the outcome looks very nice – especially when you use a beautiful image for reference. Let’s get started!

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How to Create Smoky Brushes and Type In Illustrator CS4

Oct 26th in Effects, Text Effects by Mathias M. Stav
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I’ve always been fascinated by smoke, and have experimented a lot with it. So in this tutorial, I explain how to create realistic smoke, make it into a brush and use it for type. Let’s light up our vector cigarettes and get started smokin’!

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How to Create Roads and Rail Tracks on a Path

Oct 19th in Effects, Tools & Tips by Diana Berg
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In this tutorial, we’ll make a semi-realistic road and rail track that actually consists of one single path each. Although it looks impossible, there are not any brushes and no need for any effects to be applied, but you could use some effect if you want. The secret is hidden in a tricky combination of multiple strokes. Intrigued? Read more!

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How to Create a Caramel Ripple Effect

Sep 1st in Effects by Saurabh Sharma
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In this tutorial, we will create a hot chocolate caramel effect using some distort tools and the 3D revolve tool. This is a simple and effective technique to obtain a quality vector ripple effect quickly. Here we go!

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How to Create a Mesh Flower in Illustrator

Aug 24th in Effects, Illustration by Simona Pfreundner
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In this tutorial, we'll explain how to create a flower with Illustrator’s mesh tools and opacity masks. With these tools you have a high-degree of control and can create realistic looking illustrations. Let’s get started!

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How to Create a Rainy Window Vector Background

Aug 17th in Effects, Tools & Tips by Cheryl Graham
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Using the Symbolism Tools, plus a bit of Gradient Mesh, learn to make a realistic window covered with raindrops. This is an advanced tutorial that assumes a fair amount of Illustrator experience, but everyone should be able to follow along. It can be done with earlier versions of Illustrator, but takes full advantage of newer features in CS4. Let’s get started!

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How to Create a Spray Grunge Splatter

Jul 6th in Effects, Tools & Tips by Saurabh Sharma
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We all have seen many techniques of making a vector grunge in Illustrator. Live tracing a textured image and Symbol Sprayer tool are the most common ones. In this tutorial, we will learn how to create an original vector grunge from scratch using some less common tools. Let’s get started!

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How to Use Scribble Effects in Illustrator

Jul 4th in Effects, Tools & Tips by Sean Hodge
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There are quite a few Illustrator tools that many of us have never used, which is understandable. We often have a workflow that we have found efficient and stick with it. Occasionally though, it’s a good idea to crack open Illustrator and take a look at some of its underused features. Scribble effects are worth taking a look at because they’re a quick way to add texture to your designs and a bit of personality.

The texture added is similar to the name of the effect (scribbles), but there is a great deal of variance you can control, and you can add a random feel as well. Let’s take a close look at how to use this effect and how you can get creative with it!

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How to Create a Mosaic Portrait from a Photograph

Jun 5th in Effects, Illustration by Cheryl Graham
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This is a fun way to turn a photograph into an interesting vector portrait. Get sophisticated results with just a few easy steps, then modify it using a wide range of Illustrator’s live effects. Let’s get started!

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