If you want to create graphics for the Web
Illustrator provides Web-savvy tools to help you minimize file size without sacrificing the quality of your artwork--and unlike their raster-based counterparts, the vector elements you create in Illustrator remain completely editable. - To manage repeating graphics efficiently, create a symbol and then use as many instances of it as you need. File size stays small because the symbol is defined only once, and the instances reference the symbol. In addition, the instances update automatically when you edit the symbol. (See Drawing with symbols.)
- Create vector- or raster-based slices from objects, groups, or layers. The slices update automatically when elements are repositioned or edited, and you can export individual slices in Macromedia Flash (SWF), SVG, GIF, JPEG, PNG, or HTML format, all within the same HTML table. (See Dividing artwork into slices.)
- Use the Release to Layers command to shuffle objects from one layer onto individual layers. Then export the layers in Photoshop format or as a Macromedia Flash (SWF) file for animation in another Adobe application. (See Releasing items to separate layers.)
- Use the Image Map pop-up menu in the Attributes palette to define an image map. Enter a URL, and Illustrator automatically generates a linked image map when you export the file in Web format. (See Creating image maps.)
- Apply drop shadows and other effects as editable SVG effects. These low-memory vector effects are rasterized only when viewed in an SVG viewer, so they look crisp at any size. (See Creating Web graphics with SVG.)
- Apply type anti-aliasing selectively to keep small text easy to read. (See Rasterizing and anti-aliasing type.)
- Choose View > Pixel Preview to see how your vector objects will appear when they are rasterized for the Web. (See Working in pixel preview mode.)
- Set the Color palette to display only Web-safe colors, or use the Only Web Colors option in the Color Picker. In addition, you can convert an existing print file to RGB by choosing File > Document Color Mode > RGB. (See Using the Color palette and Using the Color Picker.)
- The Save for Web dialog box displays side-by-side previews of your artwork to let you compare different compression options and select settings that keep the image quality high and the file size low. (See Optimizing images.)
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