Schafer's+Unit+4+Assignments

=PROJECT #3 for Unit 4= =**Dawn Schafer Avatar**=

I created my Avatar using Illustrator. The other programs look fun, but I thought I could use the practice with Illustrator. I used several shapes (ellipse, rectangles and octagon) to create my avatar. I used the erase tool on some of the edges of the shapes to make them softer. I used the brush tool for the hair and the pen tool for the shoes. I filled the shapes with colors and patterns.

=**Repeated Shape**=

This was my first attempt. I selected the shape and rotated it manually, and then I copy, pasted and moved it. I then realized that I was supposed to be using other tools, so I started over... and ended up with this. I used the scale tool to rescale my original shape to 75%, and then I could begin the rest of the process. I don't really understand why I have to scale a shape before I can work with it, but I just did what the book indicated!;) I used the rotate tool to rotate my original shape at a -50 degree angle. I then used the reflect tool to horizontally copy the shape at a -50 degree angle. My bricks with the yellow fill were all blended together, so I added a different color for the stroke to make it look more like a brick pattern. I used the grouping tool last, which I should have done earlier, but I had a hard time grouping my rows of bricks. I guess because they are on an angle, the grouping square would pick up some shapes in the next row. I had to select smaller groups. When I selected a group, I played with the fill and stroke. I put a rectangle around the finished product and added a text to the path, Yellow Brick Road.

I kind of like my first attempt better. I guess because it is a bit imperfect, like bricks would actually be; it looks more realistic to me. But, I learned a lot (the hard way) with my second attempt.

=**Project with Rulers and Grids**=

Sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to get the grid lines to show. I used the alignment tool to keep everything centered on the artboard. The grid lines and the rulers made it much easier to work with dimensions and lines, especially when using the drawing tool. I turned on snap to grid and that helped keep everything in line. I tried to work with a background... and came up with this. I tried to work with a new layer, but I ended up just arranging my objects. I used several shapes to create the Christmas Tree (rectangle and star). I also used the erase tool to soften the edges. I filled several objects with color, and I changed the stroke on the trunk of the tree. I had to group the tree together because if I moved the triangle all the ornaments would stay where they were at.