Create a Set of Flat Weather Icons

In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a set of flat weather icons in Graphic for Mac. For starters you will learn how to setup a simple grid and how to create a cloud shape using basic tools and vector shapes building techniques.Taking full advantage of the Snap to Grid feature and using some simple stroke techniques, you will learn to create most of the icons. Finally, you will learn how to create a flat background, how to center it and how to add a subtle shadow to your icons. ##Step 1 Go to **File > New (Command + N)** to bring up the **New Document** window. Select the **Grid** document style, set the document units to **pixels**, and set the document dimensions to **600** pixels wide by **740** pixels high. Next, we'll set up the document grid. Switch to the **Grid** pane in the **Properties** panel. If the **Properties** panel is not currently visible, you can easily open it using the ruler icon that lies above the **Layers** panel. Change the grid **X Spacing** and **Y Spacing** to **5**, set the **Subdivisions** to **0** and enable **Snap to Grid (Command + Shift + ')**. Keep in mind that you can quickly enable or disable the grid and the **Snap to Grid** feature using the **Command + '** and **Command + Shift + '** keyboard shortcuts. (image: weatherIcons1.jpg) ##Step 2 Focus on the Toolbar and notice that by default the fill color is set to white while the stroke color is set to black. Click the **Fill** color well and set it to **R=74 G=196 B=237** and then click the **Stroke** color well. Drag the **Alpha** slider to **0%** and this will make your **Stroke** invisible. Pick the **Ellipse Tool (O)**, move to your canvas and create a **40 px** circle - the grid and the **Snap to Grid** feature will ease your work. (image: weatherIcons2.jpg) ##Step 3 Replace the existing **Fill** color with **R=225 G=200 B=0**, make sure that the **Ellipse Tool (O)** is still active, create a **60 px** circle and place it as shown in the first image. Replace that yellow from the **Fill** color with **R=44 G=164 B=15**, create a **30 px** circle and place it as shown in the second image. Switch to the **Rectangle Tool (M)** and set the **Fill** color to black (**R=0 G=0 B=0**). Create a **60 x 20 px** rectangle and place it as shown in the third image. (image: weatherIcons3.jpg) ##Step 4 Using the **Move Tool (V)**, select all the shapes made so far, focus on the **Path Tools** pane from the **Properties** panel and click that **Union** button. You should end up with a simple, blue shape like the one shown in the second image. Make sure that your cloud icons is selected and duplicate it (**Command + C > Command + V**). Select the copy, drag it down and place it roughly as shown in the second image. (image: weatherIcons4.jpg) ##Step 5 Return to your Toolbar, this time make sure that the **Fill** is invisible and then set the **Stroke** color to black (**R=0 G=0 B=0**). Focus on your bottom cloud shape and pick the **Ellipse Tool (O)**. Create a **40 px** circle and place it as shown in the following image. Make sure that this new shape stays selected and focus on the **Effects** pane from the **Appearance** panel. If the **Appearance** panel is not currently visible, you can easily open it using the leftmost icon that lies above the **Layers** panel. Select the **Stroke**, drag that **Width** slider to **6 pt** and set the **Position** to **Inside**. (image: weatherIcons5.jpg) ##Step 6 Pick the **Pen Tool (P)** or the **Line Tool (L)**, create a **10 px**, vertical path and place it as shown in the following image. Make sure that this new path stays selected and focus on the **Stroke** pane from the **Appearance** panel. Drag **Line Weight** slider to **6 pt** and don't forget to check that **Round Cap** button. (image: weatherIcons6.jpg) ##Step 7 Make sure that your vertical path is still selected, pick the **Rotate Tool (R)** and you will notice a small cross icon in the center of your selection, that's the reference point. Simply drag it in the center of that circle and then focus on the Tool Options bar. Set the **Angle** to **45 degrees** and then hit that **Copy** button seven times. In the end things should look like in the second image. (image: weatherIcons7.jpg) ##Step 8 Select the black shapes that make up your sun and duplicate them (**Command + C > Command + V**). Select these copies, place them about as shown in the first image and then go to the **Path Tools** pane from the **Properties** panel. First, click the **Outline Stroke** button and then click that **Make Compound Path** button. The resulting compound path will be your first icon. (image: weatherIcons8.jpg) ##Step 9 Select the original black shapes, and go back to the **Path Tools** pane from the **Properties** panel. Again, click the **Outline Stroke** button and the **Make Compound Path** button. (image: weatherIcons9.jpg) ##Step 10 Select the blue cloud that lies behind your black compound path and add a copy in the same place (**Command + C > Command + Shift + V**). Select this copy along with the black compound path that lies behind it, go to the **Path Tools** pane from the **Properties** panel and click that **Subtract** button. Select the tiny, black shape highlighted in the third image and remove it using the **Delete** key. (image: weatherIcons10.jpg) ##Step 11 Reselect your blue cloud, make the **Fill** invisible and then focus on the **Stroke** pane from the **Appearance** panel. Set the color to black, drag the **Line Weight** slider to **6 pt**, set the **Position** to **Inside** and check that **Round Join** button. (image: weatherIcons11.jpg) ##Step 12 Reselect your cloud shape, go to the **Path Tools** pane and click the **Outline Stroke** button. Select the resulting path along with the set of shapes that make up that half of a sun and return to the **Path Tools** pane. Start by clicking the **Union** button and then move to the bottom of the pane and click that **Make Compound Path** button. The resulting compound path will be your second icon. (image: weatherIcons12.jpg) ##Step 13 Select the remaining cloud shape, make the **Fill** invisible and focus on the **Stroke** pane. Set the color to black, drag the **Line Weight** slider to **6 pt**, set the **Position** to **Inside** and check the **Round Join** button. Make sure that this shape stays selected, focus on the **Path Tools** pane from the **Properties** panel and click that **Outline Stroke** button. The resulting compound path will be your third icon. Duplicate this third icon (**Command + C > Command + V**), select the copy, drag it to the right and place it roughly as shown in the following image. (image: weatherIcons13.jpg) ##Step 14 Return to your Toolbar, make sure that the **Fill** is invisible and then set the **Stroke** color to **R=74 G=195 B=237**. Focus on your right cloud shape and pick the **Pen Tool (P)** or the **Line Tool (L)**. Create a **30 px**, vertical path and place it as shown in the first image. Select this tiny, new path and focus on the **Stroke** pane. Drag **Line Weight** slider to **6 pt** and check the **Round Cap** button. Switch to the **Rotate Tool (R)** and focus on your Tool Options bar. Set the **Angle** to **-25 degrees** and click that **Rotate** button. In the end things should look like in the second image. (image: weatherIcons14.jpg) ##Step 15 Reselect the oblique path made in the previous step, right click anywhere on your canvas and go to **Copy Style**. Reselect the **Pen Tool (P)** or the **Line Tool (L)**, create a **20 px**, vertical path and place it as shown in the first image. Make sure that this new path stays selected, right click anywhere on your canvas and this time go to **Paste Style**. This will copy the attributes from your first oblique path and paste them unto the path made in this step. With your vertical path still selected, pick the **Rotate Tool (R)** and move to the Tool Options bar. Set the **Angle** to **-25 degrees** and click that **Rotate** button. Reselect the **Pen Tool (P)** or the **Line Tool (L)**, create a **25 px**, vertical path and place it as shown in the third image. Make sure that it stays selected, use again the **Paste Style** command and then rotate it **-25 degrees**. (image: weatherIcons15.jpg) ##Step 16 Reselect the three, oblique paths and focus on the **Path Tools** pane. First, click the **Outline Stroke** button and then move to the bottom of the pane and click that **Make Compound Path** button. (image: weatherIcons16.jpg) ##Step 17 Make sure that your blue compound path is still selected and add a copy in the same place (**Command + C > Command + Shift + V**). Select this copy and focus on the **Effects** pane. Make the **Fill** invisible and then select the **Stroke**. Drag the **Width** slider to **4 pt**, set the **Position** to **Outside** and then click the color well that stands for your **Stroke**. Drag the **Alpha** slider to **100%** and set the color to **R=153 G=0 B=0**. Make sure that your red shape stays selected, move to the **Path Tools** **** pane and click that **Outline Stroke** button. (image: weatherIcons17.jpg) ##Step 18 Select your red compound path along with the black shape that lies behind it, focus on the **Path Tools** pane and click that **Subtract** button. (image: weatherIcons18.jpg) ##Step 19 Using the **Move Tool (V)**, select all the shapes highlighted in the first image and go to the **Path Tools** pane. First, click the **Union** button and then move to the bottom of the pane and click that **Make Compound Path** button. The resulting compound path will be your fourth icon. (image: weatherIcons19.jpg) ##Step 20 Duplicate your cloud shape (**Command + C > Command + V**), select the copy, drag it down and place it roughly as shown in the following image. (image: weatherIcons20.jpg) ##Step 21 Return to your Toolbar, make sure that the **Stroke** is invisible and then set the **Fill** color to **R=74 G=186 B=237**. Focus on the cloud shape copy made in the previous step and pick the **Rounded Rectangle Tool (Shift + M)**. Move to the Tool Options bar and drag that **Corner Radius** slider to **3 pt**. Create a **5 x 25 px** rounded rectangle and place it as shown in the first image. Make sure that this new shape stays selected and switch to the **Rotate Tool (R)**. Return to the Tool Options bar, set the **Angle** to **45 degrees** and then click that **Copy** button three times. (image: weatherIcons21.jpg) ##Step 22 Select the four rounded rectangles made in the previous step, go to the **Path Tools** pane and click the **Union** button. Duplicate the resulting shape (**Command + C > Command + V**), select the copy and place it as shown in the second image. Reselect both shapes made in this step, return to the **Path Tools** pane and click that **Make Compound Path** button. (image: weatherIcons22.jpg) ##Step 23 Make sure that your blue compound path is still selected and make a copy in front (**Command + C > Command + Shift + V**). Select this copy and focus on the **Effects** pane. Make the **Fill** invisible and then select the **Stroke**. Drag the **Width** slider to **4 pt**, set the **Position** to **Outside** and then click the color well that stands for this **Stroke**. Drag the **Alpha** slider to **100%** and replace the existing color with **R=153 G=0 B=0**. Make sure that your red shape stays selected, move to the **Path Tools** **** pane and click that **Outline Stroke** button. (image: weatherIcons23.jpg) ##Step 24 Reselect your red compound path along with the black shape that lies behind it, go to the **Path Tools** pane and click the **Subtract** button. (image: weatherIcons24.jpg) ##Step 25 Using the **Move Tool (V)**, select all the shapes highlighted in the first image and go to the **Path Tools** pane. First, click the **Union** button and then move to the bottom of the pane and click that **Make Compound Path** button. The resulting compound path will be your fourth icon. (image: weatherIcons25.jpg) ##Step 26 Make a new copy of your cloud shape (**Command + C > Command + V**) and place it below your sun icon roughly as shown in the following image. (image: weatherIcons26.jpg) ##Step 27 Return to your Toolbar, make sure that the **Stroke** is invisible and then set the **Fill** color to **R=74 G=186 B=237**. Keep your eyes on the cloud shape copy made in the previous step and pick the **Rectangle Tool (M)**. Create a **15 x 5 px** shape, place it as shown in the first image and make sure that it stays selected. Switch to the **Pen Tool (P)**, focus on your Tool Options bar and activate the **Add Points** mode. Keep focusing on your tiny, blue rectangle and add two anchor points by clicking in the highlighted spots. (image: weatherIcons27.jpg) ##Step 28 Keep focusing on your blue rectangle and switch to the **Path Selection Tool (A)**. Select the top, left anchor point and drag it **15 px** up and **15 px** to the right. Move to the bottom, right anchor point and drag it **15 px** down and **15 px** to the left. In the end your blue shape should look like in the second image. Make sure that it stays selected and focus on the **Stroke** pane. Drag the **Line Weight** to **6 pt**, check the **Round Join** button and add the same color used for the **Fill**. (image: weatherIcons28.jpg) ##Step 29 Make sure that your blue shape is still selected, focus on the **Path Tools** pane and click the **Outline Stroke** button. Hit **Command + Shift + G** to **Ungroup** the resulting group of shapes and then click the **Union** button from that same **Path Tools** pane. (image: weatherIcons29.jpg) ##Step 30 Make sure that your blue shape is still selected and make a copy in front (**Command + C > Command + Shift + V**). Select this copy and focus on the **Effects** pane. Make the **Fill** invisible and then move to the **Stroke** pane. Drag the **Width** slider to **4 pt**, set the **Position** to **Outside**, check the **Round Cap** and the **Round Join** buttons and then click the color well. Drag the **Alpha** slider to **100%** and replace the existing color with **R=153 G=0 B=0**. Make sure that your red shape stays selected, move to the **Path Tools** **** pane and click that **Outline Stroke** button. (image: weatherIcons30.jpg) ##Step 31 Reselect your red compound path along with the black shape that lies behind it, go to the **Path Tools** pane and click the **Subtract** button. (image: weatherIcons31.jpg) ##Step 32 Using the **Move Tool (V)**, select all the shapes highlighted in the first image and go to the **Path Tools** pane. First, click the **Union** button and then move to the bottom of the pane and click that **Make Compound Path** button. The resulting compound path will be your final icon. (image: weatherIcons32.jpg) ##Step 33 Using the **Rectangle Tool (M)**, create a **600 x 740 px** shape and set its **Fill** color to **R=74 G=196 B=237**. Make sure that this rectangle stays selected, send it to back (**Shift + Command + [** ) then focus on the **Alignment** pane from the **Properties** panel. Simply click the **Horizontal Centers** and **Vertical Centers** buttons to quickly center your rectangle. (image: weatherIcons33.jpg) ##Step 34 Reselect all your icon shapes, focus on the **Effects** pane and replace the existing **Fill** color with white (**R=255 G=255 B=255**). (image: weatherIcons34.jpg) ##Step 35 Make sure that all your icons are still selected, keep focusing on the **Effects** pane and check the box that stands for the existing **Drop Shadow** effect to activate it. Enter **2 pt** in the **Y** box and **0** in the other two boxes, set the **Blend Mode** to **Soft Light** and then click the color well that stands for this effect. Drag the **Alpha** slider to **50%** and be sure that the color is set to black. (image: weatherIcons35.jpg) ##Finished Design Congratulations, you've finished the tutorial! Hope you've enjoyed learning some of the techniques and processes presented in these steps. As always, feel free to adjust the final design and make it your own. (image: weatherIcons0.jpg)