Drawing DNA

Ja Di ksw said:

Hi, I want to make a graphic of DNA for a website, but I haven't done any graphic design before, only some photoshopping of pics I've taken with my camera. Here's a general idea of what I'm trying to do (http://tinyurl.com/7vu2ymn) though replacing a few of the bonds with other pictures.

Any tips on how to get started, or websites to look at for tips? I'm teaching myself illustrator CS5 right now to design the website.

Click to expand...

OK. You do not have to make a graphic of DNA for a website because there are already a kazillion drawings of DNA on the web. There should several kazillion downloadable DNA molecules drawings available for the effort to do a Google search on them. The only reason for you to draw a DNA molecule is that you want a rare view of the molecule that is too much trouble to search for.

Now. DNA is an organic chemical molecule. To draw it, you should use a 3D chemical structures application. Then you need to know which type of 3D structure you want. My old version of CS Chem3D Pro offers wire frame, sticks, stick and ball, cylindrical bonds, space filling, or ribbons. Which type of drawing do you want?

I personally like the Adobe classroom in a book series. They are great at teaching you the basics, if you can sit down and focus on the lessons.

Check out these sites:

http://vector.tutsplus.com/
http://psd.tutsplus.com/

Just use one of the many royalty free images on the net.