Creating & Handling Complex Shapes

• Producing strokes with interesting wavy sides
• Converting complex lines to shapes for more controls
• Detecting and removing unneeded points automatically in complex artwork
• Drawing efficiently with the different Drawing Modes
• Adding graphics inside and behind another instantly
• Merging and subtracting shapes to craft new ones
• Constructing complex shapes with the Pathfinder
• Painting out shapes with the Blob Brush tool

Automating Changes in Text Formatting

• Knowing the purpose of the different type styles
• Using a workflow to automate updates in text format
• Saving text format as styles for recurring needs
• Saving unrestricted styles for an adaptable editing
• Exploring the options in type style panels and menus
• Formatting text speedily with consistency in a click
• Overwriting a text format across a file in an instant
• Designing a dedicated style for important characters

Colors and Patterns

• Incorporating Spot Colors (e.g. Pantone)
• Utilizing ready patterns
• Creating patterns from custom artwork
• Configuring a pattern layout for the desired result
• Coloring graphics efficiently with Live Paint
• Coloring regions without the need for shapes
• Closing gaps to enable more editable regions

Producing 3D Graphics

• Fabricating 3D objects from 2D drawings
• Managing the angle of presentation in 3D
• Directing the lighting and shadow of a 3D object
• Designing a 3D surface with a custom artwork

Automating Changes in Graphic Appearances and Effects

• Adopting a productive workflow for graphic editing
• Making in-depth edits with the Appearance panel
• Enabling additional fills and strokes in a single graphic
• Saving graphic styles for a reoccurring need
• Designing graphics with consistency with styles
• Overwriting an appearance across a file in an instant
• Cascading an effect to the graphics by layers
• Complementing graphics with multiple styles

Advanced Masking Techniques

• Importing, linking and embedding images
• Revealing a selected area of an image with masking
• Constructing a mask effect with shapes
• Masking an image with multiple graphics
• Fading images with an advanced masking technique
• Managing images via the Links panel
• Replacing & updating linked images