Illustrator skills: workspace

Workspace basics
Workspace overview

identify (7) workspace elements (tabbed document windows, workspace switcher, panel title bar, Control panel, Tools panel, collapse to icons button, panel groups in vertical dock)

Hide or show all panels: tab. all panels but Tools panel and Control panelshift + tab

Display panel options: panel menu icon: upper right corner

Adjust panel brightness: Illustrator > Preferences > User Interface

Reconfigure Tools panel: click double arrows at top of Tools panel

Search For Help box:(in Illustrator: internet, local)
About screen modes

Screen mode options button at bottom of Tools panel, or key F
Normal screen mode
Full screen mode w/ menu bar
Full screen mode (left or right edge → panels)

Using the status bar

current zoom level, current tool in use, current artboard in use, navigation controls for multiple artboards, date and time, number of undos and redos available, document color profile, status of a managed file

Click the status bar to do any of the following:

Change the type of information displayed in the status bar by selecting an option from the Show submenu.

Show the current file in Adobe Bridge by choosing Reveal In Bridge.

Enter values in panels and dialog boxes

Type a value in the box, and press Enter or Return.

Drag the slider.

Drag the dial.

Click the arrow buttons in the panel to increase or decrease the value.

Click in the box and then use the Up Arrow key and Down Arrow key on the keyboard to increase or decrease the value. Hold down Shift and click an arrow key to magnify the increase rate or decrease rate.

Select a value from the menu associated with the box.

Calculate values (pt, mm, cm, px, p) in a panel or dialog box: (+,-,*,/,%)

Control panel overview

Select or deselect options in the Control panel menu

Click a blue underlined word to open its associated panel or dialog box. Click anywhere outside the panel or dialog box to close it.

Choose dock to bottom from the Control panel menu.

Convert the Conrol panel to a floating panel: drag the gripper bar away from its current position (or drag back to the top or bottom of the application screen.

Customizing the workspace
Tools
Tool galleries
Files and templates
Working with ConnectNow
Using multiple artboards
Viewing artwork
Rulers, grids, guides, and crop marks
Setting preferences
Recovery, undo, and automation