Help!! want to create paint masks...

[The Joker]

Hi All, I have a friend who owns a sign company who is happy to cut paint masks for me.
I have Adobe Illustrator on my laptop but have never touched it!
Please can somebody help me to create paint masks so I can expand my Airbrushing skills.
Simple stencils i.e. symbols, logo's, stripes, flames and window masks.

If I create them and mail them to my friend he will cut them on his plotter for me.

[n design]

Not sure this will help much but I guess you will just have to learn to use the software you have. I use a Roland cutter and use its cutting program, seems a bit daunting at first but you soon get the hang of it and I'm sure Adobe will be the same. Always try YouTube for a lesson. Good luck and stick with it.

[36racing]

As said above, YouTube is your best friend for this kind of thing. Although if you are still struggling feel free to PM me
Josh

[Ashlandchris]

I use a silhouette cameo and it comes with software that is not immediately easy, but as above, youtube helps.
What I like is being able to use bmp or jpg files and convert to masks, although it works better with logos with good light/dark shade differences.

It is also useful having a measured grid in background so you can make window masks and see where things will fit etc.

Best advice is "don't try to make any single mask too complicated or too big" otherwise it is a swine to try to apply.
I use an offcut of clear vinyl to apply the masks, and I de-tack it slightly by sticking it to my jeans a couple of times otherwise it can sometimes be tricky to get the masks in place correctly and remove the applicator tape

[eyeayen]

Illustrator has it's own help and tutorials within the program that are all really good, just use them.