Tracing a Map using Adobe illustrator CS6
1. Create a new document (A4, CMYK, and portrait.)
2. Select File > Place and choose 'tasmap.jpg'. Click "Link".
3. If the layers palette is not visible, go to Window > Layers. Rename Layer 1 to Map Template.
Select the template option.
4. Make another layer and call it Outline of Map. The eye on the left side of each layer means you can see the layers on the screen. To hide a layer, click the eye......just like Photoshop.
5. At any stage you can click on the eye of any layer and the layer will no longer be displayed on screen. It will not even print if it is hidden - sometimes an advantage. Another press on the eye icon and it will return.
6. Create a new layer for each element of the map and then proceed to make your own map. Feel free to use gradients to add depth, choose your own typeface. Make it your own!
7. Finally, delete the template layer (Map Template). Go to View > Outline (Cmd/CTRL + Y), look for any stray anchor points and delete then change back… View > Preview (Cmd/CTRL + Y).
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| To get the colours of the map open the swatch library and select Earthtone. |
Summary of layer order for this map:
Using the Pen Tool in Illustrator I traced around the outline of the map of Tasmania.
The roads and land was also traced using the Pen Tool in their separate layers.
I used the Ellipse Tool to create dots for towns and cities.
I used the Type Tool to add in the names of places and for the ocean I went to the swatch library and selected a pattern.
