Introduction to Shape Builder Tool in Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is a demanding and popular vector graphics application used by almost all graphic designers and artists. Adobe Illustrator is a powerhouse of tools and functions loaded with abandoned effects and features. These tools and functions are easy to use and work with. For a beginner, working with the tools may be difficult but with practicing and learning the skills of the program, anyone can master the software. Adobe Illustrator masters in creating amazing Vector Arts, and graphics.
Adobe Illustrator is a productive and a user- friendly program that can be used for not just creating vector artworks, but also creating materials for the print media. The program is a vector-based software and works on CMYK, RGB, Duotone, Greyscale color modes and hence it has proved to produce positive and stunning results.
Adobe Illustrator is used by most of the fashion designers, web designers, game developers, and artists. Creating a vector artwork is the initial stage for any development or creation, whether it is a webpage, a logo, a game design or a sketch. Everything is first designed in a vector application. Adobe Illustrator is commonly used and works with as it has the most amazing set of tools and brushes. The brushes in the program are designed in such a way that they are easily accessible and used for creating artworks.
Adobe Illustrator has a vast number of tools and functions. Vector artwork can be created on Illustrator by using different techniques and methods. Pen tool, Selection tool, Shape tool, Pathfinder tool, Eyedropper tool, Shape Builder tool are some of the important and most used tools of Adobe Illustrator.
Shape Builder Tool
The shape builder tool in Illustrator is an important and useful tool to learn and get hands-on with. With this tool in practice, the user can make different artworks and vector graphics using shapes and patterns. The user need not be well versed with the pen tool and brushes can make use of the Shape Builder tool and create their desired designs. The Shape Builder Tool is much like the Pathfinder tool. While, in the Pathfinder tool the user gets other five options to choose from such as intersect, subtract, Add, combine tools. In the Shape Builder tool, we create a path and do as the user requires.
Steps to use Shape Builder Tool
Step 1: Create a new file of A4 size.
Step 2: Create an Ellipse. Make sure the Snap to point and Smart Guides are turned on.
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Step 3: After making an Ellipse, create a Duplicate of the same by Pressing Alt + Mouse Button snapping to the Center.
Step 4: Now, we have 2 Ellipses. Select both the Circles and Duplicate both of them and place them beneath the upper two.
Step 5: Select All four Circles and use the Shape Builder Tool from the Toolbox. As soon as we select the Shape Builder Tool, we create a path to be built.
Step 6: The resulted image will look like this.
Step 7: Use the Rectangle Tool and create a stem to the already created flower.
Step 8: Now, rotate the flower to form a proper shape and recolor it. Create the stem and Align center to the flower.
Step 9: Create another Ellipse and place this Ellipse on the center of the Flower. Now, select the flower and the ellipse and with the Shape Builder Tool click on the Ellipse at the center to create a shape.
Step 10: Create another ellipse and duplicate the same. With the Shape Builder Tool, click on the intersecting part of both the ellipses. And take out the center part of the shape.
Step 11: Rotate and attach the leaf to the stem. Create a duplicate of the same and attach to the other side. This Finalizes and creates a Flower with the help of the Shape Builder Tool.
Conclusion
Sometimes, the users find the Shape Builder tool a bit confusing and tricky but when we practice and use the tool continuously, we find it easy and fun to work with. Likewise, the pathfinder tool can be used in Adobe Illustrator. The shape Builder tool is a fast and simple tool to use for simple artworks made using shapes and lines.
Creating anything using shapes will require a lot of logical thinking and patience. But, still, it is fast and requires less effort in comparison to creating artworks with Pen tool and brushes. Although, the pen tool and brushes are also smooth and easy but Creating something of shapes will be fast and will require less time.
In the above example, we see how a simple flower is created using just circles and rectangles. Likewise, we create anything using the Shape Builder tool. The graphic designers have a huge benefit using this tool as it saves a lot of effort and time.
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