What is Illustrator?
Illustrator is a computer designing program that is used for 2D designing things on a virtual program. Illustrator is typically used for creating logos or posters because of the programs versatility and its ability to use text, shapes, and images. Also, Illustrator uses raster images which means that it doesn't used pixels, which correlates to being able to make much larger projects, without them getting blurry. illustrator designs can be used with vinyl cutters and laser engravers to create a variety of 2D projects like keychains and decals.
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Creating A Keychain
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Then I added several soccer balls around the logo because I like soccer, and I also added my last name to the keychain as well. I used a similar font style as the last names on the back of the Manchester United jerseys. I then sent my teacher the illustrator file to be engraved so that I could pick it up.
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Final Product
Vinyl Decal
My teacher had me pick up the vinyl decal cut out of my name from the school. Once I had it I cleaned off my notebook and the surface I would put it on. Then I took the transfer paper and put it over the pre cutout name and then removed the vinyl name with the transfer paper. Then I place down the name with the transfer paper onto the notebook and made sure it was flat with no gaps. Then using some pressure and my figure I pressed down on each letter and then carefully removed the transfer paper which left the letters on the notebook. Giving me this final result which is my name of the notebook in vinyl.
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What I learned
Throughout these two projects I became more familiar with illustrator as I have never used it before and more familiar with the tools and machines in the Innovation Center. Something that helped me in learning how to use Illustrator so fast is the fact that I have lots of experience in using photoshop and I even took two classes for it before. It was helpful to learn about the specifications that are required when creating a laser file that don't apply to other machines such as the red outline that has a very narrow width which tells the laser to cut all the way through instead of engrave. Also learning about how to apply decals to objects is very useful too as I will do it later on in the class.