What are the best online tutorials for learning Adobe products?
January 11, 2016 1:48 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for high-quality online tutorials for learning how to master Photoshop and Illustrator. I really like ones that walk you through processes step-by-step. I don't have any plug-ins, so I would prefer tutorials that use basic PS and Illustrator. Thanks!
This is for pretty casual self-expressive use. If there are really excellent and useful plug-ins or similar resources out there, I'd be happy to know about those as well. Basically, anything that will help me get better about PS and Illustrator and have a good time doing it is welcome.
This is for pretty casual self-expressive use. If there are really excellent and useful plug-ins or similar resources out there, I'd be happy to know about those as well. Basically, anything that will help me get better about PS and Illustrator and have a good time doing it is welcome.
I've really enjoyed Skillshare and Tuts+.
Also ComupterArts magazine has some hella good tutorials too.
posted by speakeasy at 2:22 PM on January 11, 2016
Also ComupterArts magazine has some hella good tutorials too.
posted by speakeasy at 2:22 PM on January 11, 2016
Real World Illustrator has a lot of backlog articles on technique, methods, etc. for Illustrator. I think Mordy has moved over to Lynda, but his site is still a good reference source.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:29 PM on January 11, 2016
posted by Thorzdad at 2:29 PM on January 11, 2016
Seconding Skillshare (which is more affordable than Lynda). I've taken a few classes with them and appreciate they give you a certificate for your LinkedIn, if you're into that.
Lynda's "Fundamentals" classes for Adobe products are phenomenal, I've used InDesign/Photoshop/Illustrator for over a decade and taking those courses taught me a ton of new tricks. However, I find that Skillshare classes generally offer a better overview and are easier to get into. I recently used it for Adobe Business Catalyst, which was new to me, and I found it more accessible than the equivalent on Lynda. YMMV, but I'd only pay up for Lynda once you've got some experience under your belt and want to deep dive.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 2:33 PM on January 11, 2016
Lynda's "Fundamentals" classes for Adobe products are phenomenal, I've used InDesign/Photoshop/Illustrator for over a decade and taking those courses taught me a ton of new tricks. However, I find that Skillshare classes generally offer a better overview and are easier to get into. I recently used it for Adobe Business Catalyst, which was new to me, and I found it more accessible than the equivalent on Lynda. YMMV, but I'd only pay up for Lynda once you've got some experience under your belt and want to deep dive.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 2:33 PM on January 11, 2016
Argh, wait. I actually am thinking of TrainSimple, not Skillshare. Sorry! I actually haven't used Skillshare as extensively so I'm neutral on them.
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 2:36 PM on January 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by the thorn bushes have roses at 2:36 PM on January 11, 2016 [1 favorite]
Check your local library's online offerings. For example, the Toronto public library gives free, full access to lynda.com courses.
posted by maudlin at 3:05 PM on January 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by maudlin at 3:05 PM on January 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
Our library gives free access to all Lynda.com courses too -- they are great.
Also, the online photoshop tutorials at Jake Olson Studios are great if you like that particular style of editing. They are not free, but well worth the price.
posted by Ostara at 3:50 PM on January 11, 2016
Also, the online photoshop tutorials at Jake Olson Studios are great if you like that particular style of editing. They are not free, but well worth the price.
posted by Ostara at 3:50 PM on January 11, 2016
You Suck at Photoshop is a little older, but hilarious and useful at the same time. Link to series here.
posted by getawaysticks at 4:42 PM on January 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by getawaysticks at 4:42 PM on January 11, 2016 [2 favorites]
I came here to recommend You Suck at Photoshop also. I have taken all the Adobe tutorials that come with the software and I think those are excellent. But for a little comic relief you could take breaks by watching Suck. And it's kind of a funny refresher course.
posted by cda at 5:02 PM on January 11, 2016
posted by cda at 5:02 PM on January 11, 2016
I liked the book "Real World Illustrator 8", which tells you how long ago I learnt it.
Illustrator protip: Double-click on the pencil tool; turn on 'fill new pencil strokes' and 'edit selected', turn off 'keep selected'. Now you can quickly knock out tons of filled shapes, which I find to be a major speedup. It's a crucial component of the workflow that lets me draw graphic novels directly in AI rather than futzing around drawing stuff on paper first, scanning it, and slowly pen-tooling over it.
Astute Graphics makes some interesting Illustrator plugins but they come with absolutely no text reference, just links to video tutorials, which drives me crazy.
posted by egypturnash at 12:20 AM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]
Illustrator protip: Double-click on the pencil tool; turn on 'fill new pencil strokes' and 'edit selected', turn off 'keep selected'. Now you can quickly knock out tons of filled shapes, which I find to be a major speedup. It's a crucial component of the workflow that lets me draw graphic novels directly in AI rather than futzing around drawing stuff on paper first, scanning it, and slowly pen-tooling over it.
Astute Graphics makes some interesting Illustrator plugins but they come with absolutely no text reference, just links to video tutorials, which drives me crazy.
posted by egypturnash at 12:20 AM on January 12, 2016 [3 favorites]
Lynda.com is excellent. You pay for consistent quality. The problem with youtube and elsewhere is that the quality of tutorials varies greatly even on the same channel.
Phlearn is pretty solid for photoshop.
posted by gregr at 6:14 AM on January 12, 2016
Phlearn is pretty solid for photoshop.
posted by gregr at 6:14 AM on January 12, 2016
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posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 1:50 PM on January 11, 2016 [2 favorites]