today three awesome and need-to-know uses of the transparency window in
Illustrator also sponsoring today's video is PDF element the best way to
edit convert to use and to generate PDFs an in-depth look later in today's video
on the free trial version but also how to get 20% off the paid version here is
the first result with today's transparency window tutorial a
non-destructive way to add a decent shadow and shading to your design there
are three techniques in total in today's video so follow along and let's make
good use of the transparency window in adobe illustrator we obviously need some
text for the first transparency window effect so you can press command or
control T to bring up the character window and the font I'm going to use
today is my very own custom font script Satori we can find the transparency
window here in the sidebar but it's also located up in the top drop down menu
under transparency we can drag the transparency window out like so which
just makes our life that much more easier when working illustrator we're
going to create outlines today and then choose a color for your text I'm gonna
go for a nice calming blue keeping things nice and peaceful
finally press M for the rectangle tool and then generate a square like so
we do this so we can relate back to the original color anytime throughout the
tutorial now we want to lock down the lettering so it doesn't move around
throughout the video and then zoom in to have a better scope of the first
technique we're going to use the pen tool to draw a shape out like so if you
have the straighter CC you can hold down the option key and adjust the curve like
so but if you don't just press a to the direct selection tool and adjust the
handles this shape is effectively going to be in my shadow along the leg of my
letter I and so next we're going to want to flick the stroke over to a fill and
add a gradient to that fill in the gradient window we're going to make the
first color black and then white however on the white side of the gradient we
want to make the opacity down to 0% and this is so the gradient blends nicely
along the contour now you need to take the gradient tool from the tool bar and
then draw the gradient to match your lettering next we're going to finally
utilize the power of the transparency window for the first of three effects
today unlock the letter and then copy the
letter with command or control see you then need to press command ctrl + Shift
+ + me this will paste a copy right over the top next hold down Shift + click the
top letter and then also the gradient as well and then in the transparency window
you simply click make a mask for this technique and leave the settings as they
are later we're going to be using different setting for different
techniques we're now going to make the gradient more match to the color of the
letter by selecting the square and copying the RGB color mode at the bottom
of the color window so copy that with command or ctrl C and then select the
shadow gradient within selected head into the gradient window and proceed to
double click the color swatch change the mode to RGB and then paste in the RGB
color code into the box with command or control V you can then go ahead and
increase the black value swatch number like so
finally change the other side of the slider to the same blue
however this side is 0% opacity so it's just going to blend the overall shadow
perfectly into the letter
and there is the first of three awesome techniques for the transparency window
let's move on to the next techniques in today's tutorial here I have more text
but also have a brush stroke you can download various different vector
strokes and shapes online our websites like vector Z or free pick which I'll
link down below in description first off copy your vector shape and then select
the lettering open the transparency window and click a make mask click the
right-hand window and then paste in the vector shape with command or control V
now it's just a case of moving around the vector shape until you're completely
half of the design you can add multiple vector shapes into the same set of
letters with this method also you can go back and edit the text anytime you want
changing the letters and the fonts
you can have lots of fun with this technique and of course it works on all
objects not just texts he can be used to make grunge and old style designs too so
experiment and have some family final use of the transparency window in
Illustrator is utilizing blend modes I will very quickly show you a crude
example if I make a circle with the ellipse tool and then copy with command
or control C I can paste it directly over the original one with command or
control F
I want to cut out a section of the new circle by using a third circle like so
simply heading into the Pathfinder window and then clicking the minus for
an option so the final result is having a crescent
shape over the top of a full circle
the illustrator transparency window has blend modes most likely debut Photoshop
but the illustrator blend modes are obviously going to result with a vector
design you can have lots of thumb the blend modes too and if you stack
multiple objects using blend modes upon each other you can make some very
interesting designs indeed next I'm going to show you guys PDF element which
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so yeah try a PDF element today and edit your PDFs with ease so there is today's
video on three different ways that you can use a transparency window with your
graphic designs be sure to share my content on social media and also drop a
like and a comment to let me know you enjoyed today's tutorial I'm gonna be
back with more graphic design content later this week so until then guys
design your future today peace
you