Art Digitalization Manual for Adobe Illustrator 2023

This instruction manual targets those who wish to learn basic, manageable, and applicable design skills in Adobe Illustrator 2023. In a world shaped by technology and digital development, learning simple graphic design skills can unlock a world of professional opportunities. While Adobe Illustrator is simple to operate, users require specific knowledge of the platform’s functions and layout to use Adobe Illustrator effectively. The design platform is not intuitive, nor does it supply the supplemental information needed for users to complete basic projects.

These instructions will teach users how to understand the basic operations of Adobe Illustrator 2023 so they are able to convert physical artwork into digital files that can then be edited and designed within the platform. Oftentimes physical artwork, such as drawings, paintings, and photos, remain as original pieces, but by learning how to convert them into digital files without distorting the shape, color, or quality—one can easily expand upon the design capabilities and social reach of their art; making prints, posters, stickers, and logos all begins with converting physical art into digital art. With the application of this instruction manual, users with no previous graphic design skills or knowledge of Adobe Illustrator 2023 will be able to convert their artwork into workable digital files. 

Supplies

·       PC, Windows 11

·       Adobe Illustrator 2023

·       Physical artwork (drawing, painting, sketch photo print)

·       Scan machine/Camera

NOTE: Users will have to purchase or otherwise acquire access to Adobe Illustrator 2023 to effectively learn and apply this user manual. Prices range from $19.99 - $35.99 USD based on student or non-student status.

WARNING: Save frequently when following this instruction manual. The biggest misgiving of technology is lost work, so be sure to make duplicate files of your work and save them in several locations on your computer and/or flash drive. Running Adobe Illustrator requires a significant amount of your computer’s battery life and functionality, so consistently saving will help to avoid deleted work in the event of a system crash. 

Step 1: Search for a Scanner

To begin you must connect a workable digital scanner to your PC. These instructions cater to Windows 11 software. Click on the search bar located in the bottom taskbar of your desktop. Type “scanner” in the search bar, then click on the “Printers & scanners” option that appears on the left side of the search window. 

Step 2: Find Your Device

Once the “Printers & scanners” window opens, click “Add device” in the “Add a printer or scanner” section. Your scanner needs to be turned on and have a working Bluetooth for it to appear as an available device on your PC. Then, your scanner will appear under the “Add a printer or scanner” section. 

Step 3: Add Your Device

Next, click on the “Add device” button that appears next to your scanner’s name.

Step 4: Connect Scanner

Once you have clicked “Add device,” your scanner will begin installing. After it has been installed, your scanner is ready to use. 

Step 5: Place Artwork

To begin the scanning process, first place your artwork of choice into your scanner. The scanner pictured below requires you to place it face down and align it with the lower right corner of the scan screen.

Step 6: Close Scanner

Once you have placed your artwork in your scanner, close the scanner door.

Step 7: Creating a Scan

Next, type the word “scan” into the search bar of the bottom taskbar. 

Step 8: Open Windows Fax & Scan

Click on the application “Windows Fax & Scan” that appears in the left-side search window.

Step 9: Select Scan

Once you have opened “Windows Fax & Scan,” make sure the “Scan” option is selected at the bottom left corner of the application. Then, click “New Scan” at the top left corner of the application

Step 10: Open New Scan

Once you have opened the “New Scan” window, check that your scanner’s name appears beside the “Scanner” preset. Then, ensure that the “File Type” preset is set to either “JPG (JPG File)” or PNG (PNG Files). Lastly, click the “Scan” button located at the bottom right of the window.

NOTE: Scanning the document as a JPG or PNG file is crucial to Adobe Illustrator’s importing process. Without scanning and saving the document as a JPG or PNG, you will not be able to complete Part Three of these instructions.

Step 11: Create Scan

After clicking the “Scan” button, your scanner will begin scanning your document to your computer. Once the scan is complete, the image will appear in the “Windows Fax & Scan” application. Double-click the image name near the top of the window.

Step 12: Open Scan

After double-clicking the image name, the image will appear in the “Photos” application. Right-click the scanned image and choose “Save As”

Step 13: Save Scan

The final step for Part Two is to save your scan as an image to your computer. Once you have opened the “Save As” window, save your file under an easily recognizable name and location. This example is saved to the “Desktop” location under the name “Art Scan.” Click “Save” at the bottom left corner of the “Save As” window to finish saving your scan to your computer.

Step 14: Open Adobe Illustrator

Open the Adobe Illustrator application from its location on your computer. Double-click on the “Letter” option that appears under the “Suggestions” heading.

Step 15: Open File Window

Once you open the blank “Letter” template, click “File” at the top right corner of the window. Then, click “Open.” 

Step 16: Choose Scan

When the “Open” window appears, go to the location of your scan and chose the correct file name. Then, click “Open” at the bottom right corner of the window.

Step 17: Save Illustrator Document

Once your scan has been opened in Adobe Illustrator, click “File,” then click “Save As” in the pop-up window. 

Step 18: Save to Your Computer

Once you have opened the “Save As” window, click “Save on your computer.”

Step 19: Choose Save Location

Lastly, chose a secure and familiar file location and file name. The pictured example is saved to “Desktop” under the name “Art Scan Illustrator.” Then, click the “Save” button at the bottom right corner of the window. Now, you have a workable Illustrator document of your digitalized work.