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Adobe Illustrator CS
Create headlines that demand attention The 3D effects in Adobe® Illustrator® CS are a great way to add eye-popping dimension to headline text. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how extrude a 2D object, add a bevel, and adjust the lighting. If you’ve never worked with 3D objects before, you will find these controls easy to master. If you’re an old hand at the 3D process, you can enjoy the fact that now you don’t have to leave Illustrator to render in 3D.
Most filters and effects in Illustrator provide a Preview option. Selecting this option lets you preview how settings will affect your artwork before you click OK.
1. Extrude the headline. Extrusion adds depth to a 2D object by extending it along its z axis. To extrude your headline, select the type object, and choose Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel. In the Extrude & Bevel section of the dialog box, enter a value for Extrusion Depth. Also make sure the Extrude Cap On button is selected (this make the headline appear solid). Then click OK.
2. Add a bevel. The extrusion effect you created in step 1 is live, which means that you can change the effect settings at any time. To access the settings for your headline, select the type object, and double-click the 3D Extrude & Bevel effect in the Appearance palette. (Choose Window > Appearance if the Appearance palette isn’t showing.) Experiment with the bevel options in the Extrude & Bevel section of the dialog box, and click OK when you’re satisfied with the results. For example, we chose the Classic bevel, set the Height at 2 point, and selected the Bevel Extent Out button to add the bevel to the type’s surface.
Tutorial
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS 2 Create headlines that demand attention
For the best results when applying bevels to type, use a bevel height of 5 point or smaller. (Larger bevel heights may cause the letters to self-intersect.) You can also create custom bevel styles if you’re not satisfied with the default bevel styles. For more information on creating a custom bevel, see Illustrator Help.
4. Adjust the lighting. You can dramatically change the appearance of a 3D object by adjusting its lighting. Select the type object, double-click the 3D Extrude & Bevel effect in the Appearance palette, and in the dialog box click More Options. Then experiment with different lighting techniques. For example, try decreasing the Ambient Light and increasing the Highlight Intensity. You can also move the light on the Lighting Sphere to adjust the direction of the light source and add lights by clicking the New Light button below the Lighting Sphere. Click OK when you’re satisfied with the results. In this example, we increased the ambient light to lighten the shadow color on the surface of the headline. Then we added a second light source and set the highlight intensity to 100% to create a shinier surface. Using a lower highlight intensity creates a matte surface.
3. Add a preset 3D symbol. Choose Window > Symbol Libraries > 3D Symbols, and drag a symbol to your artboard. We used the Atom symbol. Using preset symbols is a great way to quickly enhance the look of your artwork. Illustrator also comes with the 3D Graphic Styles Library (Window > Graphic Style Libraries > 3D Effects), which includes a variety of 3D styles.
Tutorial
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CS 3 Create headlines that demand attention
5. Save the effect as a new style. Select the type object, choose Window > Graphic Styles, and then click the New Graphic Style button at the bottom of the palette. Double-click your new style to rename it. By saving your 3D headline as a graphic style, you can assign the same attributes to other headlines with just a click of the mouse. This makes it quick and easy to create a series of similar headlines.
6. Save your headline for use in other applications. You can use your headline in a number of different ways. To save the headline for use in a Web site, choose File > Save for Web. To include the headline as a title in your next Microsoft presentation, choose File > Save for Microsoft Office. Or, save the headline in PSD format and import it into Adobe PhotoshopÂŽ to make further texture and surface enhancements.
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