preface
Before I gave you a detailed analysis of PS's noise illustration teaching, I found that many designers are still very interested in noise illustration. However, in communication with you, I found that some designers are used to using AI composition when making noise illustration, and then import PS for noise addition. In contrast, this kind of noise illustration processing method is not only cumbersome, but also a waste of time.
In fact, AI can also make noise. Although it is not as good as PS in processing method, it is actually better than PS in some performance. In a word, they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Today, we will issue an ultra detailed AI noise illustration teaching, hoping to solve your questions. (there are many AI tips and black lion's self-made noise brush in the article, which can be downloaded for free)
This teaching reduces the input of words and adds a large number of moving pictures to facilitate everyone's understanding. It is suggested to read the PS noise article first and make a comparative explanation.
If you haven't seen PS noise, you can click to view it:
catalogue
- Five comparisons between PS noise and AI noise
- Three categories of AI noise illustration
- Best way to use AI noise illustration
- Reuse method of AI illustration
- Detailed explanation of case steps
- Summary and material sharing
Five comparisons between PS noise and AI noise
1. Comparison of brush usage
Brush Size
In the adjustment of brush size, PS is very different from AI. PS can easily adjust the brush size by pressing the left and right brackets, and the size adjustment is also very detailed.
In AI, the brush actually has no size. The brush is mainly realized through path and path stroke. Therefore, if you want to indirectly adjust the brush size, you can adjust the stroke.
Comparative analysis: in adjusting the brush size, AI is not PS convenient, intuitive and cumbersome. However, because the brush in AI is adjusted according to stroke, you can adjust the stroke size at will after drawing, freely adjust the stroke shape and even replace the noise type.
Brush mode
Both PS and AI can adjust the brush mode, but the biggest difference for us to do noise illustration is that PS can adjust the dissolution mode, while AI does not have the option of dissolution mode. (after PS clicks the dissolution mode, the ordinary brush will automatically change to a noisy brush)
PS operation mode: select brush - click the brush mode above to adjust. (it only supports selection before painting and cannot be changed after painting)
AI operation mode: open transparency window - select any mode. (support the selection before and after painting, which can be changed at will and shared with the layer)
Brush opacity
In PS, the transparency of the brush can trigger different attributes in different modes. In dissolution mode, the lower the transparency, the less noise will be drawn, and vice versa; In other modes (except any mode of dissolution mode), only basic transparency properties are available.
In AI, brushes only have basic transparency properties.
2. Comparison of intelligent noise
There are many ways to use intelligent noise in PS, such as "noise", "mixed mode dissolution" and "camera raw filter" (for details, see my PS noise article). There are two kinds of intelligent noise that can be used in AI, one is the noise realized by point, and the other is the noise realized by particles.
PS is indeed better in the intelligent processing of graphics, but AI can achieve the same purpose of noise processing in a similar way. (it will be analyzed in detail later in the article)
3. Vectorization noise processing
The design of noise illustration in PS is not vector, so we generally maximize the size when designing noise illustration in PS, so as to adapt to more scene applications. Unlike AI, the noise size of the brush can be changed at any time and will not become blurred due to the expansion of the whole graph, so that the application scenarios of AI are wider and the flexibility is very high.
4. Software processing fluency
In making noise illustration, PS only has thousands of layers before it slowly gets stuck; AI makes noise. If the noise is too large, it will get stuck every time, or if the noise is too 50, it will get stuck slowly, which makes ai not suitable for repeated friction and superposition of noise. (it mainly depends on the performance of the computer. If the performance is really ordinary, AI is not recommended for noise illustration).
5. Reusability
Whether it is reusable or not is a common problem for our designers. In noisy illustration, PS is difficult to achieve reusability, but AI is very different. Although there is no powerful component replacement function like sketch, we can use the unique symbol tools in AI to realize some simple storage applications and rapid color change, It is very helpful for us to do some specific illustrations. (examples will be given later)
Three categories of AI noise illustration
1. Intelligent noise
When designing noise illustration with AI, intelligent noise is often used. It is generally used in the processing of the final overall picture. Of course, it can also be combined with layer mask and shape to make area noise. (it will be mentioned in the case)
Intelligent noise realized by dot
In AI dot intelligent noise, we can achieve two effects: the first is rough noise and the second is dense paper scraps noise.
Rough noise operation path: Copy Layer (ctrl, C, Ctrl, f) - effect - pixelation - dot - select soft light mode
In the process of operation, we should pay attention to two points. First, when selecting the size of dotted cells, it is most appropriate to keep it between 3-8; Second, after all operations, if you think the noise is too rough, you can add some transparency.
Final effect:
Dense paper noise operation path: Copy Layer (ctrl, C, Ctrl, f) - effect - texture - Grain - select darkening mode
Final effect:
Intelligent noise realized by particles
The noise effect achieved by particles is similar to that achieved by noise in PS. Operation path: Copy Layer (ctrl, C, Ctrl, f) - effect - texture - particle - select soft light mode
When selecting particle parameters, we must select point engraving. Other parameters can be determined according to the situation. After setting, we can add some transparency appropriately, otherwise it will appear very rough.
2. Manual noise
Manual noise is to use a brush to draw noise manually, but the default brush in AI does not have a noise brush, but don't be afraid, I have!!! I'd like to share with you 7 round noise brushes, 3 sharp rough noise brushes, 3 broken point brushes (low, medium and high density), and 1 texture brush for auxiliary noise. (there is a download link at the beginning / end of the article)
Round noise brush:
Circular fine type refers to the formation of noise. Most of them are composed of circles or ellipses. This kind of noise brush is the most commonly used and softest.
Sharp rough noise brush:
Pointed rough type means that most of the noise is formed according to the pointed shape or semi pointed shape. This kind of noise brush is suitable for rough noise illustration, which is similar to the high-density noise of PS spray gun.
Broken point brush:
Broken point brushes often play an embellishment role in noisy illustration. Here are three kinds of broken point brushes I commonly use, namely low, medium and high-density broken point brushes.
Texture brush:
In AI, I rarely use texture brushes that assist noise, because texture brushes often need to be painted repeatedly. If the brushes are used more, they are a little stuck in AI. I often use a simple texture brush, which I only use in a small range in illustration.
3. Custom noise
Like PS, AI can customize noise, but the process of making noise and the use of noise by AI are very different from PS.
Custom noise brush production process
Operation path 1: draw the basic noise figure - select the brush toolbar - click the more button in the upper right corner - create a new brush - scatter brush - OK
Operation path 2: after the brush is added, we can select this noise, draw a line at will with the brush tool, click the brush option to preset the brush, and click OK to add after the preset (Note: the options can also be adjusted when creating the brush, but there is no preview, and there will be a preview option only after creation)
Making skills of custom noise brush
There are many points we need to pay attention to when customizing the brush. We should pay great attention from the beginning of drawing basic graphics. Here, I will explain the precautions for making noisy brushes.
- How to draw noise base graphics
When drawing the basic graph of noise, we need to pay attention to three points:
Large and dense in the middle, small and sparse on both sides (occupying area)
More sharp corners are rougher, and more rounded corners are softer
The modeling based on circular area is more regular, and the modeling based on square area is more irregular.
- How to set options
- How to customize on other people's noise
When you have basic noise and feel dissatisfied with the noise distribution, you can adjust the parameters without damaging the original noise distribution.
Operation path: Brush toolbar - options for selected objects - modify options - Finish
- Black lion noise brush preview (2 categories, free download)
Black lion force law circular noise (circular area modeling)
Black lion force irregular circular noise (square area modeling)
The best way to use AI noise illustration
1. Intelligent noise
The separate use of intelligent noise is only for the processing of the whole picture.
2. Cut mask, noise brush
This kind of use method is similar to the use method of PS's noise brush. It is noise painting by cutting the mask. After painting, we can easily adjust its properties. We can arbitrarily adjust its noise type, anchor point, color and size by selecting the brush stroke. If you want to change the noise style later, the operation is very simple.
The operation is as follows: select graphics - click internal drawing - select brush and fill in stroke color - drawing (the operation method is introduced before the article)
3. Intelligent noise, layer mask, shape gradient
Using the advantage of AI arbitrary shape gradient to do noise illustration requires AI CC 2019 and above. Its advantage is that it can handle the transition between colors very gently. The disadvantage is that it can only make one noise color. If you want to make multiple noise colors in the same layer, you need to repeat and re create the layer, which is too troublesome. If you need to draw multiple noise colors, method 2 is recommended.
Operation step 1: copy the selected graphics - click the mask - draw all black graphics inside the mask - draw with any shape gradient (black and white) - leave the desired area
Operation step 2: effect - texture - particle - select attribute - processing completed (special note: the mask must be selected for noise)
Special note: there is a very good trick when using intelligent noise in AI. You can change the appearance of noise through the effect - Document grid effect setting:
The lower the resolution, the less the number of noise and the coarser it will become. The higher the resolution, the more noise and the softer it will become. The display effects under three resolutions are commonly used:
Reuse method of AI illustration
If AI wants to achieve reusability, it needs to use the "symbol tool". Although the "symbol tool" is not as intelligent and powerful as sketch's symbols, it is more than enough for lightweight replacement.
1. How to save graphics as symbols?
If it is a single object, the operation is relatively simple. Directly drag the symbol tool to form a symbol, which can be used when making a repeatable single object. For example, when I make a shelf, a single illustration small object is often reused, so I store it as a symbol, which is very convenient when I need to use it later:
If it is a component, create a transparent box at the bottom of the component so that the replacement elements will not be misplaced. The transparent box needs to be slightly enlarged because the replacement area of some elements may be slightly larger. Here are some examples of how to make character symbols, as follows:
2. How to use symbols?
Use of single element: drag directly from the symbol panel.
Reuse or irregular use: use the symbol spray gun tool.
We can use the symbol spray gun tool to quickly obtain multiple identical symbols:
We can also set the parameters of the symbol spray gun tool to quickly achieve the desired effect:
Operation path: right click the symbol tool - click the triangle more button - double click the symbol tool to enter the pop-up window to adjust the attributes
You can adjust the intensity and density to make interesting styles:
You can turn on the rotation of the symbol to make the symbol rotate irregularly:
You can turn on the coloring of symbols and quickly change the color of symbols:
Note: of course, more operations can be carried out. There are no examples here.
Component element usage
If we want to replace components, we can directly use the replacement function of symbols.
Although AI replacement is not as powerful as sketch and only has one level, it can be applied to any element, including the components of noise illustration. Relatively speaking, it provides a certain component replacement function for AI noise illustration. It is very practical for lightweight noise illustration.
Analysis of case steps and skills
Step 1: composition according to requirements
In the composition, we can use hand drawing or mouse drawing. There is no big difference between noise illustration and conventional illustration composition.
Skill 1 - addition and subtraction of basic graphics: Boolean operation and shape generator can be used
For example, when I do my hair, I use Boolean operation and shape generator. The combination of the two can quickly get the shape I want.
Tip 2 - removal of excess lines: use shape generator (minus state)
Some designers are used to drawing by hand. After the composition is completed, there will be a lot of lines. We can quickly delete the redundant lines with the subtraction function of the shape generator. (hold ALT while the shape generator is selected)
Step 2: supplement the picture elements
Because the character modeling of this case is drawn according to the basic graphics, the character modeling is basically completed during the steps, and then we can fill all the elements of the container.
Step 3: color the picture elements
Coloration: it is recommended to use the real-time coloration tool (k).
Step 4: noise rendering
Noise rendering stage is the core of noise illustration. According to the characteristics of AI software, the following precautions are summarized:
Try not to draw more than 3 pieces of noise on the same element. It's best to finish it at one time. Otherwise, when there is too much noise in the picture, it will get stuck and the file will increase.
If you want to draw the fine and soft noise of an element, you can choose intelligent noise, layer mask and shape gradient operation. The transition is very natural, and you can adjust the resolution to change the number of noise. (the more the number, the smaller the particles, the softer the picture will be.)
When drawing noise on conventional graphics, you can use stroke filling to achieve, so that the drawn noise is more regular.
When you are not satisfied with the noise, you can choose to adjust its anchor, stroke size and noise type.
When drawing noise, you should keep the same noise style, so that the overall noise illustration will be more coordinated. When you want to change the noise style, you can choose to replace it with other noise brushes. Changing the noise style is too easy to use than PS. if you change it to PS, you must redraw it all. (Note: due to the characteristics of the case, I use too many noise types. Please don't play like this in the actual project)
Texture noise can be used as the underlying texture. Of course, pictures can even be used as the underlying texture for convenience.
Make the underlying texture with texture noise:
Use the picture as the underlying texture:
Step 5: symbol application
Completion:
Summary and material sharing
1. Summary:
AI noise illustration and PS noise illustration have their own advantages and disadvantages. PS noise illustration has wider application types and can adapt to different styles of noise illustration. The disadvantages are also obvious. It can not make vector noise and has no reusability; AI is more suitable for lightweight noise illustration. It can make vector noise and carry out certain multiplexing operations.
If you are a UI Designer or web designer, you must design more lightweight illustrations within the company, and often consider the problem of reusability, so using AI to do noise illustration is a good choice.
2. Material sharing:
The material in this issue includes three blocks: case source file, noise brush (24), AI noise copying material (35,)
3. Case source file:
4. Noise brush:
Common noise points are as follows
Black lion's self-made noise is as follows
5. Display of copying materials:
Welcome to WeChat official account: "black lion power".
