Illustrator CS4:
Basic, ACE Edition

Topic-Level Outline

Days: 1

Prerequisites: Windows XP: Basic; Windows Vista: Basic

Unit 1 : Getting started

Topic A: 0 The Illustrator environment

A-1: Exploring the Illustrator interface

A-2: Exploring panels

A-3: Exploring the Tools panel

A-4: Managing files with Adobe Bridge

Topic B: 0 Navigation

B-1: Using Views

B-2: Using the Navigation tools

Topic C: 0 Adobe Help

C-1: Using Help

Unit 2 : Creating a simple illustration

Topic A: 0 Create a new document

A-1: Creating a new document

A-2: Changing document setup

Topic B: 0 Basic shapes

B-1: Creating basic shapes

B-2: Drawing shapes precisely

Topic C: 0 Manipulate shapes

C-1: Selecting and scaling shapes

C-2: Duplicating shapes

C-3: Aligning and distributing shapes

C-4: Using the Add to Shape Area command

C-5: Grouping shapes

C-6: Rotating shapes

C-7: Adjusting stacking order

Topic D: 0 Export an illustration

D-1: Adding metadata in Illustrator

D-2: Adding metadata in Bridge

D-3: Exporting an illustration

Unit 3 : Applying basic color

Topic A: 0 Apply color

A-1: Using the Swatches panel

A-2: Using the Color panel

A-3: Storing colors

Topic B: 0 Stroke options

B-1: Setting basic stroke attributes

B-2: Creating a dashed line

Topic C: 0 The Eyedropper tool

C-1: Using the Eyedropper tool

Unit 4 : Drawing paths

Topic A: 0 Raster images

A-1: Importing a raster image

Topic B: 0 Basic drawing

B-1: Using the Pencil and Smooth tools

B-2: Using the Pen tool

B-3: Creating complex paths

B-4: Adjusting direction handles while drawing complex paths

Topic C: 0 Select and edit paths

C-1: Editing anchor points

C-2: Joining paths with the Average and Join commands

C-3: Cutting paths using the Scissors tool

Unit 5 : Working with text

Topic A: 0 Adding text

A-1: Creating text

A-2: Importing text

Topic B: 0 Altering text

B-1: Using the Area Type tool

B-2: Positioning type on a path

B-3: Converting text to outlines

Unit 6 : Layers

Topic A: 0 Layers

A-1: Creating a new layer

A-2: Changing layer stacking order

A-3: Hiding and locking layers

Topic B: 0 Manipulate layers

B-1: Organizing layer content

B-2: Duplicating a layer

Unit 7 : Working with fills and colors

Topic A: 0 Swatch libraries

A-1: Importing swatches from other documents

A-2: Adding swatches from a spot color library

A-3: Saving a swatch library

Topic B: 0 Gradients

B-1: Creating a new gradient

B-2: Adjusting a gradient

Topic C: 0 Transparency

C-1: Setting transparency

Unit 8 : Adjusting typography

Topic A: 0 Flow type

A-1: Linking type containers

A-2: Updating legacy text

A-3: Wrapping text

Topic B: 0 Format text

B-1: Setting tabs

B-2: Inserting typographic characters

B-3: Using character styles

B-4: Using paragraph styles

Topic C: 0 Edit text

C-1: Proofing text

C-2: Finding and replacing text

C-3: Managing font usage

Appendix A : ACE exam objectives map

Topic A: 0 ACE exam objectives