Create a Simple Step by Step Progress Bar in Illustrator

In the following quick tip you will learn how to create a simple step by step progress bar using Adobe Illustrator. For the main shapes Andrei Marius will use some basic tools along with the Transform effect and some simple Pathfinder options. For the small details he’ll use some basic vector shape building techniques, several Drop Shadow effects and some simple blending techniques. In the final steps he’ll add the simple pieces of text and the little check symbol.

Open Illustrator and hit Command + N to create a new document. Enter 600 in the width box and 200 in the height box then click on the Advanced button. Select RGB, Screen (72ppi) and make sure that the "Align New Objects to Pixel Grid" box is unchecked before your click OK. Enable the Grid (View > Show Grid) and the Snap to Grid (View > Snap to Grid). You’ll need a grid every 1px. Simply go to Edit > Preferences > Guides > Grid, enter 1 in the Gridline every box and 1 in the Subdivisions box. You can also open the Info panel (Window > Info) for a live preview with the size and position of your shapes. Do not forget to set the unit of measurement at pixels from Edit > Preferences > Unit > General. Andrei Marius will start with the background. Using the Rectangle Tool (M), set the fill color at r="235," g="235," b="235," create a shape the size of your artboard and open on the Appearance panel (Window > Appearance).