This fully updated edition for Illustrator CS5 covers the essential skills for Illustrator artists, such as drawing geometric and freehand objects; color management; using multiple artboards; applying colors, patterns, and gradients; creating and using brushes; transforming, reshaping, and combining objects; creating and styling type; applying graphic styles and transparency; using the Pen tool; using the live color, paint, trace, and effects features; using symbols; and output. The new and updated Illustrator CS5 features are clearly marked with bright red stars in both the table of contents and main text.

Among the many new CS5 features covered in this volume are bristle brushes, drawing modes, arrows, Width tool, Shape Builder tool, and Mini Bridge. Enhancements to such features as path joining, artboards, pixel-perfect drawing, and Art brushes are also covered.

Readers can follow the steps in a tutorial fashion, or use the book as a reference guide to individual program features. Many of the key illustrations used in the book are available via Web download for practice.