TOOLS, TOOLS, TOOLS!
Selection Tools
The top two tools on your tool menu are selection tools.
The top, hollow arrow is the Select Tool. It is the most commonly used tool, as all it does is selects an entire object and lets you work within the bounding box.
The second, filled-out arrow is the Direct Select Tool. This one allows you to directly alter an editable object through its individual points.
Drawing Tools
Two drawing tools are the pen tool and the curvature tool.
The pen tool can draw paths with straight lines, while the curvature tool can add curves to a path. It is important to note with many tools, there are multiple options under one tool: i.e., if you hold down the pen tool, you will see a pop-up screen that shows more options. It is best to learn these sub-tools and familiarize yourself with all of them!
Some more drawing tools are the line segment tool, under which are the arc tool and the spiral tool.
These tools can be used to create single lines or curves, and can then be edited and adjusted using the selection tools.
The elipse tool, when clicked and held, also gives you the option of creating a rectangle, rounded rectangle, polygon, start, and more!
The paint brush tool allows you to "paint" fluid lines and paths. The blob brush tool creates paths that automatically expand into shapes and join into each other when overlapped.
The shaper tool allows you to quickly sketch a shape which it then translates into a linear or curvilinear shape.
The pencil tool allows you to freehand sketch and object.
The eraser tool erases paths and anchor points in a object. In a sold object, as opposed to just a line, the eraser's thickness cuts through the object and creates separate shapes from the original one.
The scissors and knife tools cut through lines to create breaks in them.
Text Tools
The type tool lets you create individual text boxes, which you can edit the size of, and also edit the font, size, and color of the text in the properties menu on the right of the screen.
The type on a path tool lets you select a specific line or path and type along that path.
The vertical type tool allows you to type along a vertical path.