We have another great Vector Plus tutorial available exclusively for Plus members today. If you want to learn every detail in how to create a rampaging robot made up of a mix of type and vectors, then we have an awesome tutorial for you. Learn more about this tutorial at the jump!

This Vector Plus Tutorial is Filled with Creative Techniques

During this tutorial, I’ll show you the process for creating one of my illustrated type posters. I love to work type into all of my illustrations for the balance and rhythm it provides to a layout, but I especially love creating images out of type itself…the graphic designer inside of me compels me to do it!

Tutorial Details

• Tools: Mechanical Pencil + Sketchbook
• Programs: Adobe Illustrator CS4 and Adobe Photoshop CS4
• Difficulty: Advanced
• Estimated Completion Time: 3-4 hours

Plus members can Log in and Download! If you’re not a member, you can of course join today! You can view the final illustration below.

This is a Detailed and Professional Tutorial

Plus members can Log in and Download! Otherwise, Join Now! Below are sample images, which show some of the development of this tutorial.

Vector Plus Membership

As you know, we run a premium membership system here called Plus that costs $9 a month (or $22 for 3 months!) which gives members access to the Source files for tutorials as well as periodic extra tutorials, like this one! If you’re a Plus member you can log in and download the tutorial. If you’re not a member, you can of course join today!

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a retro ‘Space Invader’ style illustration using basic shapes and the Extrude & Bevel effect. This is relatively simple to create and loads of fun to make. It does require a little bit of planning for the composition and some other details. Let’s walk through how to create this design.

Final Image Preview

Below is the final image we will be working towards. Want access to the full Vector Source files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join Vector Plus for just 9$ a month.

Tutorial Details

• Program: Adobe Illustrator Version CS3
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Estimated Completion Time: 1.5 hours

Step 1

Start with an A4 landscape document and open the Grid Preferences (Illustrator > Preferences > Guides & Grid) set the Gridline to every 1.5mm, Subdivisions to 1 and tick the Grids in Black box.

Step 2

Turn on Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid) and turn the grid on (View > Show Grid). Then zoom into the grid in the top-left corner, and use the Rectangle Tool to draw a square with a black fill and no stroke in one of the grid squares. You’ll find this easy to do with Snap to Grid turned on.

Step 3

Continue to draw squares in the grid to create the first spacey character.

Step 4

Next using the same method, draw the second character, starting three squares from the first character, as shown below.

Step 5

Ok, now we are going to create a row of these little bad boys. Select both the characters using the mouse and Copy/Drag them (Alt-Drag) to the right, positioning them three squares to the right of the second character, release the mouse and then the Alt key.

Step 6

Immediately after Step 5 select Object > Transform > Transform Again or (Command + D) and repeat this four times until you have a row of 12 invaders.

Step 7

Now we are going to use the Copy/Drag and Transform Again process to create more rows of invaders. First select all of the characters and Copy/Drag them (Alt-drag) downwards, positioning them two squares from the bottom of the first row (release the mouse and then the Alt key).

Step 8

Immediately after, select Object >Transform > Transform Again or (Command + D) and repeat this three times, so now you should have five rows of invaders, as shown below.

Step 9

Now we want to stagger the rows. Select the second and fourth rows using the mouse, then select Object >Transform > Move and enter: Horizontal of 13.5mm, Vertical of 0mm, Distance of 13.5mm, and Angle of 0mm. Lastly. Lastly, press OK.

Step 10

OK, you should now have something that looks like the image below. Check to see if the eyes of the characters are lined up underneath each other (as shown with the tinted strip). If not, then just select the second and fourth rows again and move them with the mouse until they snap into the correct position.

Step 11

Lets now create the defending spaceship. Use the Rectangle Tool and draw a square with a black fill and no stroke in one of the grid squares underneath the last row of invaders somewhere near the middle. Again this will be easy to do with Snap To Grid still on. Continue to draw squares and rectangles in the grid to create the character below with some extra squares for the shots.

Step 12

To blow up the invaders delete some of the squares and move others around. You can follow the pattern below or create your own.

Step 13

Now lets delete some of the invaders to set the scene, again you can follow the pattern below (delete the magenta ones) or choose your own.

Step 14

Now add some shots coming from the invaders, again you can follow the pattern below or choose your own.

Step 15

Now turn off Snap to Grid (View>Snap to Grid) and hide the grid as well (View > Hide Grid). Select all the artwork and Cut it (Edit > Cut). Then view the page at Actual Size (View > Actual Size) then Paste the artwork back in (Edit > Paste). This will place the artwork in the center of the page.

Step 16

Next, select any Space Invader character with the little sticking out legs and Copy/Drag it (Alt-Drag) to the left. While it is still selected bring up the Pathfinder Window (Window > Pathfinder), select the Add To Shape Area button on the Shape modes section (see below) and then press the Expand button. This will join all the pieces into one object.

Step 17

This is a repeat of Step 16, but this time select the other shape style of invader and Copy/Drag it (Alt-Drag) to the right. Again, while it is still selected, press the Add To Shape area button on the shape modes section, and then press the Expand button.

Step 18

Now select the two Space Invaders you have just created and Lock them (Object > Lock > Selection). Next, select the rest of the artwork and again select the Add To Shape Area button on the shape modes section, and then press the Expand button. Now Unlock the two extra invaders (Object > Unlock All).

Step 19

You should now have three separate objects (see below).

Step 20

Next we are going to apply the 3D effect. Select the main body of the invaders (No.2) and select the Extrude & Bevel Effect (Effects > 3D > Extrude & Bevel). Be sure to first tick the Preview box then enter: Rotation around X axis of 24°, Rotation around Y axis of -12°, Rotation around Z axis of -12°, Perspective of 120°, Extrude Depth of 15pt, and Surface of Plastic Shading. Don’t press OK yet, first press the More Options button.

Step 21

In the More Options box change the Shading Color to None and drag the white circle on the sphere to the right as shown below (this will change the direction of the lighting).

Step 22

Now create a new light by clicking on the New Light Icon and drag the white circle on the sphere to the left as shown (this will give us a more dramatic look). Now click OK or you can play around with the Rotations, Perspective and Extrude Depth to create a look you may prefer first.

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Creating fur and fuzziness in vector graphics can be a challenge. You can approach the challenge by analyzing real furry animals. You can also work on stylizing your approach to fur by creating symbols that represent fur, like triangular shapes and pointed edges, which you’ll see in quite a few vectors on display here.

This collection of 50+ furry vector illustrations are assembled here for you enjoy. This is a huge collection of lovable furry critters and stylized fuzzy creatures. There are realistic animals, like dogs, pandas, squirrels, and more. There are also some wildly imaginative creatures on view as well. Time for some furry vector goodness!

In this tutorial, we'll explain how to create a cute earth illustration. We’ll use basic shapes and some Illustrator knowhow to make this. It’s a fun look at the earth, as seen from space, and interpreted in a cartoon vector style. Let’s get started!

Final Image Preview

Below is the final image we will be working towards. Want access to the full Vector Source files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join Vector Plus for just 9$ a month.

Tutorial Details

• Program: Adobe Illustrator CS4
• Difficulty: Beginner
• Estimated Completion Time: 1 hours

Step 1

Open up a new document and create a rectangle with the Rectangle Tool (M). Fill it with black. This will be the universe background.

Step 2

Next, create a circle with the Ellipse Tool (L) and fill it with a blue.

Step 3

Make a copy of the ellipse. Then select the Pencil Tool (N) and start drawing a wave like shape. Place it so it overlaps with the circle.

Step 4

Select both, the circle and the wave and select the Add to Shape Area in the Pathfinder Palette.

Step 5

This will be the basic background for the earth resembling the water.

Step 6

Make a copy of the earth/water shape on top (Command + C + F) and fill it with a radial black to white gradient. Set the layer mode to Multiply at 41% Opacity.

Step 7

Select the original circle and duplicate it. Overlap both until you can create a sickle like shape (Choose Subtract from the Pathfinder Palette). Fill it with a radial black to white gradient and set the layer mode to Multiply at 27% Opacity.

Step 8

Place the first full circle on top of the earth and then the sickle like shape on top of that.

Step 9

Let’s create the land pieces. Create another circle (the same size as the earth) and set the stroke to blue. Then start drawing shapes with the Pencil Tool (N) resembling land shapes. Make sure they overlap with the circle outline.

Step 10

Select them all and fill them with blue, no stroke. You can easily achieve this by clicking Shift + X to swap the Stroke color to the Fill Color. Now select all the shapes and hit the Divide button on the Pathfinder Palette.

Step 11

Delete the shapes you do not need. Now fill the remaining ones with a color of your choice. I chose a green gradient to represent the land masses.

Step 12

Select the land shapes and go to Object > Path > Offset Path and apply the settings below.

Step 13

Make a copy of the circle and then select it with the bigger offset shapes. Hit the Divide button in the Pathfinder Palette.

Step 14

Use the Direct Selection Tool to select the overlapping parts, then delete them. Now make sure the shapes that are slightly bigger are placed behind the original shapes of the land. Then change the fill color to a light blue.

Step 15

Select the light blue shapes and apply a Feather Effect and set the layer mode to 55% Opacity.

Step 16

Place the earth shape with the radial gradient on top of all shapes.

Step 17

Let’s move on to the smaller elements. We want to create some trees that are oversized and whimsical. Create a tree trunk with the Pen Tool (P) and fill it with brown.

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