Learning Adobe Illustrator CS4
Powerful Tool
Adobe Illustrator is a very powerful vector tool. It has many tools that can make a vector illustration look great. But there is a bit of a learning curve for me though. I have been using Adobe (formally Macromedia) Fireworks CS3. Fireworks is a great vector software tool for moderately sophisticated illustrations. It is a great web page and web graphics tool. But it has its limitations. I have become proficient with it and the way the workflow is. The inspector makes since, etc.
Illustrator can make very sophisticated vector graphics for print, PDF and the web. The features are numerous and very detailed. I am just not use to the way you manipulate the object or the canvas for the actual final product. That will come with time though.
Head Scratcher
What I do not understand about Illustrator is why some tools that are in Photoshop and Fireworks are missing from it. I want to make a nice inner shadow on a rectangle but I cannot with Illustrator. It is frustrating at best but there is a work around for it that I am not too please with. I have looked at several tutorials online that show just what can be done with this software so I will keep on practicing with it to see if I can master it as well as I have Fireworks.
Future Work
At this time I am working on a stamp vector for my contact page that I am please with so far. I just need to figure out how to make my logo look better in Illustrator than one I made in Fireworks.
Further Updates to The ViewPort
Navigation
I added a navigation for the sub pages of the About page. This was due to the layout I wanted to achieve. Plus it was something I could play with using Blocks from Yourhead Software and PlusKit from Loghound Software.
Updated Contact Form
I updated the contact form to actually function properly as it should. Check out and send me a note to see the functionality of it. It is a great plugin from Yabdab Software.
Header Updated~New Logo
Header Images
I updated the three images in the header area of the new site design. Thanks to Elixirgraphics for some of the art work. Next up is the content area. I will be adding the content to reflect the old ViewPort site. A couple of pages are needed as well, search, site map, a contact page and the colophon page.
New Logo
I designed the new The ViewPort logo. I felt it reflects what a viewport actually is. It too is a work in progress, I need to practice restraint with it though because I want to keep it minimalist in nature.
New Site Design
The ViewPort Refresh
I am in the process of finally updating my site with one of the newer Rapidweaver themes from seyDesign. Also, this blog will focus solely on things Apple, Rapidweaver and other things that may geek me out! Also, I am going to launch a blog only site using WordPress for my political views. Once that is up I will direct anyone that is interested to that site.
Work in Progress
I am doing a little experimenting with this site but some of the experimentation will take place over at the ViewPort Lab site. Here I will play around with the latest and greatest themes, plugin and other goodies that the group of talented RW devs have to offer.