Adobe Illustrator CS4 / CS5: Introduction 
Course length: 2 days
Prerequisite: None
You don't need prior Illustrator experience to take this class! The class starts with an overview of Illustrator's interface and steps you through basic drawing, coloring, editing, transparency, type, path tools, special effects, and more.
Topics covered include:
- Illustrator Interface - Panels, Tools, and Inspectors
- Selecting and Arranging
- Creating Shapes
- Transforming Objects
- Drawing with the Pen Tool
- Editing Paths
- Color and Painting
- Using Live Trace
- Applying Live Paint
- Building Custom Colors
- Painting with Patterns and Gradients
- Working with Type
- Creating Text on Paths
- Creating Text Outlines
- Using Layers
- Working with Symbols
- Working with Brushes
- Brush Library
- Using Graphic Styles and Effects
Worth a Look
Photos.com is a royalty free stock photo company from which we've purchased images for several projects.
Poser
Try Poser if you want to add 3D characters to your projects. I've been using Poser since version 1 for character generation. It's still my favorite low cost 3D character animation program.