Pixelmator - Create Vector Graphics From Scratch

Name: Pixelmator - Create Vector Graphics From Scratch
Rating: 4.4 (152 reviews)

Design vector based icons, glyphs, logos, posters, user interfaces and more.

Created byJoe Marshall

Last updated 1/2016

English

What you'll learn

Master the skills and techniques involved in making icons, logos, glyphs, posters, and more using Pixelmator Shapes
35 plus Pixelmator Shapes and a lot more coming...
Complete working knowledge of the Pixelmator Vector Tool Set
Apply trendy design techniques such as long shadows, flat design, and blurred backgrounds
Most students will be able to use Pixelmator as a replacement to Photoshop and Illustrator for everyday common graphic design tasks

Course content

11 sections • 36 lectures • 2h 51m total length

Introduction To The Course1:35
What we will cover in the course.
Installing Pixelmator0:33
After downloading Pixelmator version 3.2 Sandstone or 3.3 Limestone you are ready to take this course.
Note about Pixelmator 3.3 Limestone1:36
By downloading Pixelmator 3.2 Sandstone or 3.3 Limestone you will be able to follow along with either version just fine. New students will obviously be using 3.3 but all features covered in the course are identical in operation.
Overview of Presets and Pixelmator's Interface4:02
Students will understand how to create presets to speed up workflows and understand the basic layout of Pixelmator.
Pixelmator's Vectormator Mode1:51
Shift + Command + "V" is the mode we will use through out the remainder of the course. Pixelmator's "Vectormator mode" allows us to work with all the vector tools in a custom interface built into to Pixelmator.
Vector Vs. Bitmap Graphics2:09
Understanding the difference between a bitmap graphic and a vector based graphic is an essential element in taking this course. Students will have a firm understanding of the differences moving forward.

Quick example icon in Pixelmator5:50
We'll see how fast and easy it is to create a basic vector based icon in Pixelmator.
Importing More Shapes1:55
Importing more shapes from the Pixelmator website and putting them in our shapes palette.
Working out problems with Shapes2:46
Shape presets and styles can effect the way a shape looks and could cause unexpected results. In this video we cover ways to the shape looking the way we intended it to look from the beginning.

Layer grouping and organization6:39
Get a handle on layers and staying organized while creating graphics in Pixelmator.
Layer Styles6:18
Learn to use, create, and save your own layer styles. Layer styles allow you to easily apply a certain look to a layer instead of always recreating that look from scratch each time.
Gradients4:51
Using, creating, saving gradients in Pixelmator.
Custom Shapes And Saving Them9:34
Creating, saving, exporting custom shapes to share in Pixelmator. Students will understand what goes into creating hundreds of glyphs, icons, or shapes for fun or for profit.

Nodes and handles2:51
The secret to making any shape you can think up... Nodes and handles.
Long shadows and clipping masks8:16
The long shadow is a popular design trend and we learn how to do it in Pixelmator.
Advanced long shadows10:07
Learn what is involved in working with complex shapes and creating long shadows.
Smoothing paths to create a trophy shape13:21
In this lesson we learn about about smoothing paths the create a rounded look for our trophy shape.
Flipping and rotating shapes to create a sail boat6:35
We'll create a sail boat by simply flipping and rotating basic shapes and applying a few edits to them.

Pixelmator Update 3.31:10
Pixelmator updates to 3.3 Limestone.
Vector Compositions Ocean Scene11:11
Create a vector based ocean scene in Pixelmator using the shapes we created individually through out the course.
Vector based buttons5:05
Pixelmator is great for vector based UI design for mobile apps or web based applications. We create a "record" button in this lesson.
Text Shapes6:51
Pixelmator can take text and convert it to shapes to be manipulated. Take a popular font and customize it to be a reusable shape.
Text Logos2:41
Create text based logos quickly and easily using Pixelmators Vectomator Mode.

The Pen Tool basics part 13:47
Single clicking method for creating straight lines in Pixelmator using the pen tool.
The Pen Tool basics part 21:30
The click and drag method of creating lines with the pen tool.
The Pen Tool Real Example5:48
A real world example of using the pen tool to create straight lines and curved lines in Pixelmator.
The Freeform Pen Tool0:58
Learn to use the free form pen tool. It is like using a real pen!
The Freeform Pen Tool Example6:10
A real world example of using the free from pen tool and the trade offs it can bring to your design workflow.

Requirements

Apple computer
A FREE 30-day trial of Pixelmator for Mac

Description

Learning to create vector icons, logos, user interfaces, buttons, and more is a growing trend for both the web and mobile devices. This course focuses on abstract and flat-design techniques using Pixelmator's Shapes. Shapes allow you create icons, glyphs, logos, posters, and more in a vector format that is scalable without losing image quality at any size. Once a Shape is created, you can reuse it allowing you to never re-create that shape from scratch again.

This course is taught in a relaxed, conversational, unscripted style. Recorded to capture what it is like to hear a designer's thoughts as the designing unfolds. No slides, PowerPoint presentations, or scripts are used. The course is lean, trimmed, and fast-paced but you can still learn at your own pace. The lessons are taught in Pixelmator and the techniques and tools used are presented as you need to know them.

By the end of the course you will have the knowledge to create your own Shapes from scratch using Pixelmator. You will also understand the process to create and deliver icons, logos, posters, user interfaces, buttons, and more. Plus over 60 Pixelmator Shapes included.

Techniques and topics covered include:

Vector vs. bitmap graphics
Working with Pixelmator Shapes
Style attributes that add details to Shapes created in Pixelmator
Editing Shapes using nodes and handles
Using existing Shapes to create custom shapes
Building complex Shapes
Implement the latest design trends in flat-design
Applying masks and clipping masks to Shapes in Pixelmator
Organizing and ordering layers
Applying gradients and color palettes to Shapes
Saving Shapes to the Shapes palette to reuse or share with others
Working with Text in Pixelmator
Includes instruction on Pixelmator's Pen Tool and Freeform Pen Tool
Lesson on how to utilize the Effects Browser
Converting Fonts to Shapes to create custom typography and Shapes
Just-in-time-learning to not overwhelm the student with Pixelmator's many features
And a lot more tips, keyboard shortcuts, and tricks along the way

Over 100 Pixelmator Shapes will be added to the course throughout the year!

Who this course is for:

Anyone wanting to learn flat design and create vector-based graphics using Pixelmator
Anyone wanting to learn more about Pixelmator's vector tools
Anyone wanting to add a relevant design skill to offer to clients
Anyone with a basic eye for design, but want to learn more

Pixelmator - Create Vector Graphics From Scratch

What you'll learn

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Course content

Introduction And Downloading Software6 lectures • 12min

Creating An Icon and Working With Shapes3 lectures • 11min

Layers, Styles, Gradients, and Custom Shapes4 lectures • 27min

Using Edit Mode To Create Custom Shapes5 lectures • 41min

Advanced Shapes - A Lighthouse And An Owl2 lectures • 20min

Vector Compositions5 lectures • 27min

Pixelmator Effects - Mixing Vector Graphics And Bitmap Graphics2 lectures • 11min

Pixelmator Pen Tools5 lectures • 18min

Conclusion - More free Shapes1 lecture • 1min

Course Shapes Download1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: