CHAPTER 1 Bezier CURVES: A BRIEF HISTORY. . . . . . . . .

1 Fear of Math . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I remember the day like it was yesterday. Mrs. Jerkins had called me up to the chalkboard to solve a
math problem. As was her practice, she stood scowling off to the side of the chalkboard as I approached.
In one hand, she held a rubber-tipped wooden dowel, and in the other, she gripped a chain that hung
from an intercom speaker with which she could call the office in one quick, furious pull.

Math Is Cool
Throughout the remainder of my school years, I both feared and loathed math. When I started thinking
about college, I chose art school because I loved art and was excited by the possibility of drawing for a
living. But, to be honest, I also thought to myself, “Plus, art school won’t have any math classes!”

But, as some kids learn to appreciate things like Brussels sprouts, sushi, and a well-aged cheese plate as
they grow older, I’ve learned to appreciate math. Over the years, I’ve come to realize just how much
math is a part of everything we experience in life. And, the more I’ve learned about building vector
shapes with Bézier curves, the more I’ve come to appreciate the geometric equations that compose my
art.

CHAPTER 2 Bezier Curves. . . . . . . . . . .

2 Who Created Bezier Curves?

I won’t pretend to be an expert in math history, but I’ve done enough sleuthing to trace the family
history of the modern Bézier curve, which forms the basis of all vector drawing programs in use today.
An understanding of this history won’t improve your drawing skills, but it will give you a better
appreciation of the tools we use.

The Vector Family Tree Mathematics is an ever-expanding knowledge base driven by fertile minds. One
person’s work in the field has historically enabled the next generation to progress and evolve. The
vector family tree that fruited the Bézier curve sprouted from this same form of progressive
development, by way of four key individuals:
1. Karl Weierstrass (1815 1897): A German mathematician who created the Weierstrass
theorem, which stated (in very basic terms here) that any function or set of data points can be
modeled with a polynomial. A polynomial is an algebraic equation that sounds scary, but is
actually the vector artist’s best buddy. Suffice it to say that simple polynomials are very easy to
graph, as they produce smooth and continuous curves or lines. Sound familiar?
2. Sergei Natanovich Bernstein (1880 1968): A Jewish Soviet mathematician who proved the
Weierstrass theorem through his own namesake, Bernstein polynomials.
3. Paul de Casteljau (1930 1999): The French physicist and mathematician who worked for the
car maker, Citroën. De Casteljau used Bernstein’s polynomials to invent the de Casteljau
algorithm (just a step-by-step solution to figure out a problem) for computing Bézier curves,
which enabled Citroën to accurately create more beautiful curves in its vehicles

CHAPTER 3 Core Tools for Vector Building. . . . . . .

Core Tools for Vector Building

Illustrator is replete with an array of tools that grows with each new software release. Whole books are
dedicated to documenting these new tools and how to use them. This book, however, is dedicated to
“basic training,” so we’ll only cover the 12 core tools needed to create precise vector shapes within any
given drawing program.

The 12 Disciples of Design

Each of the 12 tools listed here serves a specific function in the build process. Keep in mind that some of
these tools lend themselves to specific build methods, which we’ll go over in more detail in Chapter 6.

The 12 core tools you’ll use to create precise vector shapes are:

1. Pen tool (P):

Simply put, precise vector building wouldn’t be possible without the Pen tool. You’ll use it to lay
down all of your anchor points, one by one, forming a path that makes the vector shape you
need.