Don't forget

Use the "Appearance" palette to edit your 3D objects.

About 3D

3D effects enable you to create three-dimensional (3D) objects from two-dimensional (2D) artwork. You can control the appearance of 3D objects with lighting, shading, rotation, and other properties. You can also map artwork onto each surface of a 3D object.

There are three ways to create a 3D object.

1. You can give a 2D object depth along its z axis by extruding the object. For example, if you extrude a 2D ellipse, it becomes a cylinder.
2. You can revolve a 2D object around the global y axis up to 360º.
3. You can also use 3D effects to rotate 2D artwork in 3D space to change the artwork's perspective.

Source:

Some information on this page was gleaned from Adobe Illustrator Help files.

Three Dimensions

The Goals...

The goals of this exercise are two-fold. We want to learn how to create three dimensional objects in Illustrator. We also want to learn the limitations of these tools. Illustrator is not a sophisticated 3D tool. It is ideal in a studio setting to draw simple packaging mockups. It can build simple 3D shapes for icons, amongst other things.

Extruding and bevelling objects

Extruding extends a 2D object along the object's z axis to add depth to the object. The object's z axis always lies perpendicular to the object's front surface and moves relative to the object if the object is rotated in a 3D Options dialogue box.

After extruding an object, you can cap or uncap the front and back of the shape to make the object look solid or hollow. In addition, you can add bevelling properties to carve away from or add to the object's surface. For example, a bevel can be used to round off an edge or add facets to it. You can choose from a variety of installed bevels or create your own.

Revolving objects

Revolving an object sweeps a path or profile in a circular direction around the global y axis (revolve axis) to create a 3D object. Because the revolve axis is vertically fixed, the open or closed path that you revolve typically needs to depict half of the desired 3D object's profile in a vertical and front-facing position; you can then rotate the 3D object's position in the effect's dialogue box.

Applying the 3D Revolve effect to one or more objects simultaneously revolves each object around its own axis. Each object resides in its own 3D space and can't intersect other 3D objects. Applying the Revolve effect to a targeted group or layer, on the other hand, revolves the objects around a single axis.

Rotating Objects in 3D Space

You can rotate a 3D object created with the Extrude & Bevel or Revolve effects, or you can rotate a 2D object in 3D space. You can also adjust a 3D or 2D object's perspective.

Keep in mind that there are object x, y, and z axes and global x, y, and z axes. The object axes remain relative to an object's position in its 3D space. The global axes remain fixed relative to the computer screen; the x axis lies horizontally, the y axis lies vertically, and the z axis lies perpendicular to the computer screen.

Applying surface shading to a 3D object

By changing a 3D object's surface properties, you can create a wide variety of appearances, from dull and un-shaded matte surfaces to glossy and highlighted surfaces that look like plastic.

Lighting an object

You can dramatically change the appearance of a 3D object by adjusting its lighting. Changes can include adding more lights, varying the light intensity, changing the object's shading colour, and moving lights around the object.

Mapping artwork to a 3D object

Every 3D object is composed of multiple surfaces. For example, an extruded square becomes a cube that is made of six surfaces: the front and back faces, and the four side faces. You can map 2D artwork to each surface on a 3D object. For example, you might want to map a label or text onto a bottle-shaped object or simply add different textures to each side of an object.

You can only map 2D artwork that's stored in the Symbols palette to a 3D object. Symbols can be any Illustrator art object, including paths, compound paths, text, raster images, mesh objects, and groups of objects.

When mapping 3D objects, consider the following:

• Because the Map Art feature uses symbols for mapping, you can edit a symbol instance and then automatically update all surfaces that are mapped with it.
• You can interact with the symbol in the Map Art dialogue box with normal bounding box controls to move, scale, or rotate the object.
• The 3D effect remembers each mapped surface on an object as a number. If you edit the 3D object or apply the same effect to a new object, there may be fewer or more sides than the original. If there are fewer surfaces than the number of surfaces defined for the original mapping, the extra artwork will be ignored.
• Because a symbol's position is relative to the centre of an object surface, if the geometry of the surface changes, then the symbol will be re-mapped relative to the new centre of the object.
• You can map artwork to objects that use the Extrude & Bevel or Revolve effect, but you can't map artwork to objects that only use the Rotate effect.

Your Assignment

You will use the skills you've learned in class to draw a simple object in three dimensions. Choose a very simple item. Don't try to build the Eiffel Tower! Your shape must be either revolved or extruded.

Once you have the shape, you will design a simple layout like the one below. Make it on a tabloid sized page.

Requirements

Include:

• Your 3D object in multiple points-of-view.
• Manufacturer & Brand
• Title
• Slogan
• Create a package and map information on the surface.

Include any other information which may be relevant to your product.

You may select any type of product, including food, consumer goods, or any other type of object with a simple shape.

I want to see colour swatches for your work. Indicate the swatches beside your work to indicate the colours you have used in your product package. The idea is that you consolidate your use of colour. Limit it only to what is necessary.