Expert: Laith Ibrahim - 12/14/2007

Question
QUESTION: i just got illustrator cs3, never used it bbefore, i can't even figure out how to search my hard drive to import photos.  Help.  thanks

ANSWER: Hi Dennis,
The best way to use photos in Adobe Illustrator (all versions) is to use the "place" command which you can find under "File/Place". Once you click on "Place" you'll get the options windows.There you can browse your hard drive and select the file that you need. Once you choose the file and before you close the options windows, you can either link the file by selecting "link" (bottom left) or uncheck the box next to link and this will place the image inside the file you're working on (this is called embedding the file). Now click on "Place" and you'll see the image you selected inside your file.
When you link an image, your file will be smaller because the image is not part of the file. However, when you send the file to someone you'll have to send both the original file and its links.
When you embed the image (uncheck "link" in the "Place" option described above)), the file size will be bigger because the size of the image embedded will be added to the original file size. So the more images you have embedded, the bigger the file size will be.

Enjoy your new Illustrator CS3 and please let me know if you have any questions about it in the future.

Best regards,

Laith

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Laith,

Thanks for the info, illustrator is nothing like any program I have encountered.  Do you know of any good dvd's or websites that teaches the basics?  Thanks for info.  dennis

Answer
Hi again Dennis,
In my point of view, the best website to learn Adobe Illustrator and many other graphics programs is www.lynda.com. All lessons are video-based and the instructors are the best in the field. You can try several free lessons before you subscribe. I think paying $25 a month and getting everything you need to learn is worth it.
Personally, I don't recommend videos. You'll only watch them once and put them on the shelve and you'll spend a fortune to buy everything you need.
Again I recommend lynda.com. They'll give you the basics and teach you step by step.

Good luck with Illustrator. It's a great program and a must-learn for anyone who wants to get into the graphic design field.

Best regards,

Laith