Adobe Illustrator Training | Illustrator for Architects.

Lesson 1 – Introduction (3:21). In this introductory lesson, discover how Adobe Illustrator enhances architectural design with crisp, scalable vector drawings. Learn how the software is used for block plans, elevations, sections, urban diagrams, and presentation graphics. See the impact of precise line weights, textures, and colour to elevate architectural visuals. Whether for studio projects, competitions, or social media, Illustrator offers unmatched flexibility. This lesson gives you a glimpse of its potential, setting the stage for mastering the tools needed to create stunning architectural illustrations with ease.

Lesson 2 – Essential Tools (6:08). In this lesson, get a quick yet comprehensive overview of the key tools in Adobe Illustrator that will power your architectural illustrations. Learn how to use the Selection Tool, Pen Tool, Shape Builder, Eyedropper, and more to create and manipulate vector drawings efficiently. These core tools form the foundation for everything you’ll design in later lessons, whether it’s architectural plans, urban diagrams, or presentation graphics. By the end, you’ll feel confident navigating Illustrator’s intuitive interface and ready to start creating professional-quality architectural visuals.

Lesson 3 – Creating 2D Blocks (27:17). Learn how to create precise 2D CAD blocks in Adobe Illustrator, perfect for architectural plans and drafting workflows. This lesson walks you through designing kitchen layouts, furniture, trees, and human figures, using tools like the Pen Tool, Polygon Tool, and Scissors Tool. You’ll refine your drawings with line weights and offsets, ensuring crisp, scalable vector outputs. These blocks can be exported to AutoCAD and other drafting software, making them highly versatile for architectural design. By the end, you’ll have a collection of detailed CAD elements ready for use in your projects.

Lesson 4 – Creating 3D Blocks (28:48). Discover how to create 3D CAD blocks in Adobe Illustrator using exported 3D models from SketchUp, 3ds Max, or reference images. This lesson covers tracing furniture and objects using the Pen Tool, Curvature Tool, and Pathfinder Tool to cut and refine shapes. You’ll learn to structure line weights and fills to create precise vector drawings that integrate seamlessly into architectural presentations. These blocks can be used in renderings, CAD drawings, or exported for Photoshop workflows. By the end, you’ll have a professional 3D-style block library ready for architectural plans and visualisations.

Lesson 5 – Setting Up Plan Drawings (15:15). In this lesson, we begin the plan rendering process, focusing on importing and preparing CAD drawings in Adobe Illustrator. You’ll learn how to organise layers, trace walls, columns, and structural elements, and use basic vector tools like the Pen Tool and Pathfinder to build a clean plan framework. We also start drawing essential furniture elements, setting the foundation for a fully rendered plan. This structured approach ensures clarity and precision, making it easy to apply textures, hatches, and colours in the next steps. Get ready to refine and enhance your architectural plans in upcoming lessons!

Lesson 6 – Plan Drawing Part 2: Furniture Layout (24:50). In this lesson, we finalise the furniture layout by adding detailed CAD blocks and manually drawing essential elements. We refine beds, sofas, tables, chairs, and bathroom fixtures, ensuring a structured and well-organised plan. You’ll learn how to use layers effectively, apply fills and strokes, and replicate objects with precision. The session also covers arranging dining and living spaces while maintaining clarity in line weights. With the foundation set, the next lesson will introduce doors, windows, and flooring, bringing greater depth and realism to the plan. Stay tuned for the finishing touches to elevate your drawings!

Lesson 7 – Plan Drawing Part 3: Doors, Windows & Flooring (32:04). In this lesson, we complete the plan by adding doors, windows, and flooring textures. You’ll learn how to draw doors with accurate swing arcs, create detailed window assemblies, and apply realistic flooring textures using clipping masks. We explore different materials, from parquet flooring in bedrooms to tiles in bathrooms and wooden decking for balconies. Additionally, we refine partition walls, railings, and small architectural details to enhance the drawing’s depth. In the next lesson, we’ll add final touches, adjust line weights, and introduce human figures, plants, and décor for a polished, presentation-ready plan.

Lesson 8 – Plan Drawing Part 4: Final Touches (48:52). In this lesson, we refine our architectural plan with detailed line weights, human figures, plants, and everyday objects to enhance realism. We organise elements into layers, ensuring clarity and hierarchy, while adjusting stroke weights for optimal readability. Additional touches like circulation paths, furnishings, and subtle textural details bring the plan to life. By the end, you’ll have a polished, professional-looking floor plan ready for presentation. This marks the conclusion of our plan-focused tutorials—next, we move on to sectional elevations. Experiment with colours and variations to personalise your work!

Lesson 9 – Setting Up a Sectional Perspective (28:37). You’ll learn how to set up parallel projection, refine section lines, and extract key elements for vector tracing. The lesson covers image tracing shadows, organising layers, and reconstructing missing lines for a clean, editable illustration. You’ll gain control over line weights, structure, and composition, setting the foundation for detailed textures and materiality in later lessons. This method ensures precision and clarity in architectural section drawings, leading to a visually compelling final composition. Stay tuned for furniture and texture detailing next!

Lesson 10 – Sectional Perspective Part 2: Shell & Furniture (31:22). In Lesson 10, we refine our sectional perspective by adding key structural elements and furniture details. You’ll learn efficient techniques for constructing stairs, ladders, and support bars, ensuring precise alignment and clean geometry. We’ll also extract and organise key furniture components, such as bookshelves, kitchen counters, and bedroom elements, into separate layers. By the end of this session, your drawing will be structured and ready for further refinement, including texturing and final detailing in the upcoming lessons. Stay tuned as we bring this architectural illustration to life!

Lesson 11 – Sectional Perspective Part 3: Textures (52:22). In this lesson, we take our sectional perspective to the next level by refining key architectural details and adding textures. You’ll complete the remaining linework, ensuring accuracy in elements like doors, lighting, and furniture. We’ll then introduce textures to walls, flooring, and surfaces using custom patterns and clipping masks, enhancing the depth and realism of the drawing. Learn how to adjust perspective, scale textures appropriately, and maintain consistency across the composition. By the end, you’ll have a fully structured sectional elevation, ready for the final detailing in the next session.

Lesson 12 – Sectional Perspective Part 4: Final Touches (24:33). In this final lesson, we bring our sectional elevation to completion by adding the last layers of refinement. You’ll learn how to enhance section cuts with detailed hatching, apply textures to slabs and walls, and integrate final elements such as trees, people, and furniture accessories. We’ll also fine-tune shadows, adjust line weights, and introduce subtle fills for depth and clarity. By the end of this session, your drawing will be fully polished and presentation-ready. Get ready to master Illustrator’s full potential in architectural visualization!

Lesson 13 – Isometric Drawings from Scratch (35:08). In this lesson, we embark on a new phase of the course: 3D drawing in Adobe Illustrator. With no external references, we’ll build a fully realized isometric composition from scratch. You’ll master the Extrude & Bevel tool, create depth and perspective, and construct a tiled ground plane. We’ll also introduce textures, hatching, and fine details like cracks, plants, and figures to bring realism to the scene. By the end, you’ll have a beautifully composed isometric drawing that sets the foundation for the next stages of 3D architectural visualization.

Lesson 14 – 3D Concept Drawings (37:24). In this lesson, we integrate Adobe Illustrator with SketchUp to develop clear, visually compelling 3D concept drawings. You’ll learn how to export your SketchUp model as a PDF and JPEG, refine line work, and enhance your drawing with shadows, textures, and context elements. We’ll also incorporate environmental factors, such as sun path and wind direction diagrams, along with trees, figures, and annotations. By the end, you’ll have a polished, communicative architectural concept ready for presentations and further development.

Lesson 15 – Setting up a 3D Rendered Drawing (22:02). In this lesson, we begin the process of creating a 3D rendered architectural drawing in Adobe Illustrator using a SketchUp export. We establish the base layers, including walls, windows, and furniture, refining them with linework and fills. You’ll learn how to define material swatches, apply shading, and enhance the depth of your drawing. By focusing on the dining area and key structural elements, we set the stage for the final session, where we’ll complete the rendering with textures, details, and contextual elements for a polished, professional result.

Lesson 16 – 3D Rendered Drawing Final Touches (45:15). In this final lesson, we complete our 3D rendered architectural drawing in Adobe Illustrator. We refine windows, apply glass effects, and add realistic shading to enhance depth. Furniture details are finalised, and textures such as wood, textiles, and rugs are incorporated. To bring the scene to life, we introduce human figures, plants, and final embellishments. By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a fully rendered isometric drawing that showcases a professional, polished aesthetic, reinforcing key Illustrator techniques for architectural presentations.