Vector Studio Part I -- Creating Cut Out Shapes in Illustrator

Illustrator 8

Select the Rectangle Tool (M) and click on the screen to bring up the Rectangle text entry box. Enter 2 Inches for the width and 1.5 Inches for the height. Press OK.

Select the Type Tool (T), click inside the rectangle and key in a symbol or character approximately 108 points, or whatever fits comfortably inside the rectangle with about 1/8 inch of space all around. I've used the letter Q in Adobe's Critter font. (Available from www.eyewire.com).

Use the Align palette to vertically and horizontally center the symbol and rectangle. (Window | Show Align)

With both objects selected, and the symbol in front of the rectangle, click the Exclude icon on the Pathfinder Palette. (Window | Show Pathfinder) For the time being, apply a light gray fill. We'll change it to white later.

Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to move the outside edges of the image about 3 or 4 points towards the center.

Create a rectangle slightly smaller than the duplicate shape. Apply a 5% black fill and send it to the back (Object | Arrange | Send to Back).

Select both the duplicate, and the smaller rectangle, and select Rasterize (Object menu). Select Grayscale for the Color Model and select the Anti-Alias option. Set the resolution depending upon your ultimate use: 72 dpi for Macintosh web graphics, 96 dpi for Windows web graphics, or 300 dpi (or higher) for commercial printing.

From the Filter pull down menu, select Blur | Gaussian� Set the blur Radius between 1 or 2 for low resolution, or 2-5 for higher resolution.

Send the rasterized-blurred image behind the original shape (Object | Arrange | Send to Back) and using the arrow keys offset it slightly so the shadow falls under the open area and to the left.

Select the top object and change the fill color to white (or the fill color or texture of your background).

NOTE: Adding the 5% black rectangle to the very back helps create the illusion of depth.

Illustrator CS2 Software and Training

Photoshop Plug-Ins

Vector Studio Part I -- Creating Cut Out Shapes in Illustrator

Illustrator 8