How to Create Simple Distressed Type in Adobe Illustrator

Illustrator CS3 is a powerful program.
1. Open an illustrator file, select type to be weathered and outline fonts: Type> Create Outlines 2. Open the brushes palate: Windows> Brushes 3. Open the Artistic Chalk Charcoal Pencil Brushes: Window> Brush Libraries> Artistic Chalk Charcoal Pencil and select the brush called Chalk; it will then show up in the brush palate.
4. Select the pen tool, draw a diagonal over the type diagonally and apply the chalk brush to your line. (Try two pixels, but depending on your area you may want to play with it).
5. With the pen tool still selected, draw another diagonal from the opposite corner (to form an X) over the type and apply the chalk brush to your line.
6. Once again, draw another line – this time horizontal, and apply the chalk.
7. Next select all three lines and make certain to stretch over type completely: Object> Expand appearance 8. Open the pathfinder palate: Windows > Pathfinder; Select all and click Merge. Finally, select just the pen strokes and go to menu Select> Same> Fill Color and then delete the selection.