Illustrator CS2 Killer Tips

Free! 1,000+ Scientific Symbols for Illustrator

This will possibly be the most read tip in this book. Why? Because it has the word "FREE" in it. Anyway… here's a useful download tip with a ton of free symbols for Illustrator. The Integration and Application Network at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has produced a series of scientific symbol libraries. The libraries contain more than 1,000 custom-made symbols (in 28 categories) designed specifically for enhancing science communication skills for the graphically challenged. Diagrammatic representations of complex processes can be developed easily with minimal graphical skills. The best part about it is the libraries are available cost and royalty free. You can also download a searchable index (PDF) of all the available symbols and an interactive flash tutorial on how to use the symbols with Adobe Illustrator (they require version 10.0 or better). Just go to: http://ian.umces.edu/index.html?http&&&ian.umces.edu/conceptualdiagrams.php and check it out.