Class Demo 2/26/2013

Today we learned how to make sections in Illustrator using lines and polygons. In addition to this, we also learned how to use the Gradient Tool to make blocks of fade out. In addition to this, we also learned how to make nighttime scenes in Photoshop. It is a somewhat simple process, beginning by adding two new layers. Once these have been added, one of them needs to be filled in with black and then have the opacity reduced. Next in the other new layer, convert it into a clipping layer and then used the Polygon Marquee Tool to section off areas that you want to have some light. Next, use the Brush Tool to lightly add white to this area and then just touch up the edges to get a softer glow. 

Class Demo

Today we learned more about things that can be done in Illustrator, specifically making sections and and adding patterns. Making sections is a multistage process involving Google Earth, Photoshop, and Illustrator. First, you take a few pictures from Google Street View on Google Earth, then piece them together in Photoshop, and then finally add analysis like roads, dimensions, and labels in Illustrator. 

LA 280 Unit 05

The Delaware County Fairgrounds were the focus for these analysis diagrams. Using a combination of GIS data layers and layers created in Illustrator, I created several diagrams detailing things such as soils, vegetation, and and circulation. While in Illustrator, I edited the GIS by cropping and changing the colors. In addition to this I also rotated and flattened the layers to get them into an axonometric view by using the Rotate and Reset Bounding Box tools. 

Illustrator: Perspective & Image Tracing

Today, we learned how to make perspective drawings in Illustrator using the Perspective Grid Tool. This tool was really useful to construct one, two, and three-point perspective drawings. It also made it easier to add text or other objects such as lines and planes to existing photographs such as what was demonstrated in class today. 

In addition to the Perspective Grid Tool, we also learned about how to take a raster image and convert it into a vector image using the Image Trace tool. While it was a cool tool and will be very useful in the future, it was a bit too powerful and the image lost much of the original line work. 

Before

After

Fairground Diagrams Illustrator

Following the Adobe Illustrator lecture, about layer management, inserting and editing the stroke of lines, making polygons, layer management, color swatches, and flattening things, we were assigned to have the diagrams for this unit to be at about 75% completed. In doing this exercise, I became more comfortable using and navigating the Illustrator program. It was not too bad to get used to though because of its similarities to Photoshop and InDesign.

GIS and Illustrator

Today in class, we learned how to create topography lines in GIS and other techniques relating to the displaying of topographic features in GIS. To this particular map, I also added data such as the Delaware County Fairground, trees, trails, and the White Rive. 

Once I had made this map in GIS, I then exported it into an Adobe Illustrator file. Next, I opened up the file and went to work making it into an axonometric. First, I selected all of the layers and rotated them 30 degrees. I did this by hovering the cursor over a corner and then rotated it. Once this was complete, I went to Object, Transform, and then Reset Bounding Box. Once this was selected, I clicked on the center square on the blue box around the layers and dragged it down until the layers looked more flat. After this, I selected each layer individually and then dragged them towards the top of the artboard/canvas. 

GIS Unit 04

This GIS map, as well as the one below demonstrate some of the many possibilities of the the powerful GIS software. In them, they show trees, schools, wetlands, recreational facilities, and trails in the center of Muncie. It shows the off-site influences and context of the Delaware County Fairground site (in red). In order to create this map, I added a series of data layers, each representing what is shown on the map. Buffering and Clipping were some of the most common tools that I utilized while creating this map, in addition to the Editor tool. 

This map shows a more detailed view of the Delaware County Fairground site. It shows trees, schools, wetlands, recreational facilities, and trails. In addition to these, this map also shows soils found on the site as well as off-site influences such as the floodplain. In the process of making these maps I realized just how far I have come with using GIS. When this unit first began, I did not really know what was going on, but now I feel like I have a decent grasp of this program. It is no longer the intimidating program it was a couple weeks ago, but is now a very beneficial tool that can be utilized in many aspects of the landscape architecture profession.  

GIS, continued.

Through these various exercises, I have used and experimented with several different tools and techniques found in GIS, which allows people to create maps similar to the ones showed above. Some of these include the many tools found under the Geoprocessing feature including Clipping and Buffering. other tools found else ware including the Editing tool which allowed me to build points and polygons and then also edit the attributes table and information that is attached to them. More than anything else, these exercised have made me somewhat more comfortable using GIS and navigating its many many options. 

Unit 04: Analysis & Design Process (Assignment 1)

At first I was a skeptical about GIS after hearing the stories from the afternoon section of LA 280, but once I was in class and working with the program, it ended up being a really enjoyable experience and was one of my favorite projects so far. After learning how to add layers from the   catalog and edit them, GIS was not that difficult to pick up. After adding the same layers that we had added in the class demo, I went to the Indiana University website and began downloading various data layers to include in my map. For this project I added, wetlands, bike paths, brownfields, fire stations, schools, and libraries. These data layers only represent a small portion of the data that can be utilized. I was amazed and the different possibilities that can be achieved using GIS. I look forward to learning about the new possibilities of GIS.