What you'll learn

Use Adobe Illustrator for designing, cutting, and engraving anything.
Custom contour cuts
Multi-layered laser cut designs
Workflow tips and tricks
How to create inlayed designs

Course content

4 sections • 16 lectures • 2h 55m total length

Introduction2:28
Hi there!
My name is Miguel Machado and I am the Application specialist for Trotec Laser Canada.
This course was made with beginners and advanced laser users in mind, that want to know more about Adobe Illustrator and how to use it to create whatever your mind is capable of conceiving! (as long as it can be laser cut, of course)
So welcome and take a seat! I hope you have fun with this course and the project that you will create!
Class project1:59
Our class project will be to create our very own logo/brand, and make it real, not only by design, but by merchandise, with real world applications like signage, promotional items, cool and unique brochures/menus/business cards. Again, let your creativity fly!

We will start with the basics of shapes and typography, so that we can build a nice logotype, with a nice follow up typography.

Class 1 - File Creation9:49
The basic of the basic. How to create a file and make sure everything is ready for your project to start!
Class 2 - Moodboards5:52
Moodboards! A personal favorite of mine, I use it for basically every project that I do. It helps with the creativity and to keep my mind in the right track in case I wander off too much from my initial vision.
Class 3 - The Pen Tool10:34
Pen tool, the base of Illustrator! For a beginner this tool might be the only thing that can be used, but for a true master of the pen, this tool can be absolutely amazing and capable of creating amazing vectors ready to be cut and engraved!
Class 4 - Width and Curvature Tool11:04
Both tools are the "I'm the cool cousin" of pen tool. If you know what you're doing with these 2, you can create incredible combinations that just looks breathtaking and unique.
Class 5 - Fonts (part 1)13:43
The beginning of fonts! Where to find fonts for free, how to use them with your logotype and how to start customizing them!
Class 5 - Fonts (part 2)12:13
And we continue on with our fonts! How to customize it even more and make it unique to you and your project!

Class 6 - Pathfinder and Shape Builder tool15:09
And beyond! Pathfinder and Shape builder tool!
If there was a better combination, I couldn't find it. If you are not good at drawing or creating from scratch cool designs, those 2 tools will be your bread and butter to make amazing pieces!
Class 7 - Offset Path and Contour12:18
Ever wonder how those cool customized cuts that go around some designs are made? Look no further! Offset Path is here!
Class 7 - Offset Path and Contour (part 2)10:42
And we continue creating outlines to our designs!
Class 8 - Blend Tool16:48
One of the coolest things in Adobe Illustrator! The possibilities are endless! (and the time saved is priceless)
Class 9 - Live reflection and Patterns22:56
This is one of the easiest effects that you can make in Illustrator that look absolutely amazing! And the skill ceiling is incredibly high.
3 layer acrylic moose? Done. 37 layer wood art piece? Doable but vastly harder. The good thing though? Both are made the same way, and you can find out in this class!
Class 10 - Finishing the project and last touches23:29
And we finally made it! The end goal before putting the project in our machines! A lot to double check to make sure you don't lose time re-doing it! make sure you check everything so your production times are also pretty good.
And remember to take nice pictures and recordings so we can see it together!

Requirements

Adobe Illustrator
Laser cutter/engraver

Description

In this course we’ll be learning Adobe Illustrator, with a particular emphasis on its use as a design software for laser cutters. Although I’ll primarily be referencing Trotec lasers, we’ll cover a wide variety of useful tools, tips, tricks and techniques that you can use, regardless of the brand or wattage of your personal laser machine.

This course is for anybody who has a laser machine, regardless of skill level. From beginner to advanced users, wanting to learn more about Adobe Illustrator! These classes have been specifically designed to increase your productivity, make you more confident when working in AI, and able to comfortably create (and recreate) personal and/or professional projects with a laser.

The only things you’ll need for this course are a laser machine (of course) and Adobe Illustrator. I recommend buying the Adobe Creative Cloud suite if possible. The CC suite is a monthly subscription that gives you access to AI, as well as the greater library of adobe programs and other useful add-ons.

You might also want to have laser-safe materials, although this isn’t mandatory to benefit from the course content. Any material that interests you is fine - wood, acrylics, lamacoids, paper, you name it. Your creativity will be the driving force throughout this course.

Who this course is for:

Laser owners looking to learn the tools that Adobe Illustrator can offer to improve production and design.

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction2 lectures • 4min

The Basics6 lectures • 1hr 3min

Beyond6 lectures • 1hr 41min

Project video and more2 lectures • 7min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: