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Media & Design Center - Labs, Software & Equipment: Illustrator

Illustrator Quick Start Guide

Illustrator Tutorials

Beginner and Experienced Tutorials - A collection of short video guides that will help you get started with Illustrator and use the program's tools to create vector graphics. Experienced tutorials explain other advanced techniques, like creating textile patterns.

View All Illustrator Tutorials - A comprehensive list of all available tutorial guides sorted by category.

Images: Print vs Web

RGB vs. CMYK

When creating images in Photoshop, InDesign, or Illustrator; one of the options is the color mode and a choice between RGB and CMYK.  Which do you choose?

RGB:  RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue.  This is the primary color mode for digital images (TV, web, and phone).  When red, green, and blue are combined together, you get the color white.  With this mode, it is an additive mixing of the colors which will produce 16.7 million color possibilities.  RGB images are also smaller in file size.  

CMYK: CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key.  This is the primary color mode for print images (magazines, posters, etc.).  When cyan, magenta, and yellow are combined together you get black (this is the Key or K in the acronym).  With this mode it is subtractive mixing of the colors which will produce 16 thousand color possibilities.  CMYK images are larger in file size.

The image presents a comparison between RGB and CMYK color modes. It includes two sets of overlapping color circles, each illustrating the primary colors of these modes. - **Left side (RGB Mode)**: Three overlapping circles colored red, green, and blue. Where these colors overlap, secondary colors appear, and the center shows white. Below the graphic, a box provides key points about RGB: - Colors: red, green, blue - Additive mixing - Mix to create white - 16.7 million color possibilities - Smaller file sizes - **Right side (CMYK Mode)**: Three overlapping circles colored cyan, magenta, and yellow. The overlaps form secondary colors, with the center showing black. A box below the graphic lists details about CMYK: - Colors: cyan, magenta, yellow - Subtractive mixing - Mix to create black - 16 thousand color possibilities - Larger file sizes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raster vs Vector

Another distinction of images is the use of raster versus vector files.

Raster: Raster files are built from pixels.  These types of files are usually photographs.  When searching for photos, the dpi (dots per inch) or ppi (pixels per inch) is very important.  The more pixels, the higher quality the image.  The more pixels will also help with some scaling of the image.  Raster files usually have the extensions .jpg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tiff, and .psd.  These files can be opened and edited in Adobe Photoshop.  They can also be placed in InDesign and Illustrator projects.

Vector: Vector files use mathematical equations, lines, and curves with fixed points on a grid to produce an image.  There are NO pixels involved in vector images.  The advantage of a vector image is that is can be scaled to various sizes without impacting the quality of the image.  Vector files usually have the extensions .svg, .eps, .ai, .dae, .ps, or .emf.  These files can be opened and edited in Adobe Illustrator.  They can be placed in Photoshop and InDesign projects.

Media & Design Center Staff

The Media & Design Center staff are available to answer your questions on using equipment, finding films, and creating posters or podcasts!  

Need instruction for your students in the Adobe Creative Suite or WordPress? We can help!

Contact:

Media & Design Center
Undergraduate Library
CB# 3942
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
919-962-2559

  • Last Updated: May 23, 2025 8:48 AM
  • URL: https://guides.lib.unc.edu/media-design-center