Explore 3D effects
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Click on the Shading Color drop-down menu, and select Custom. Click on the colored Red square to the right of Custom and use the Color Picker to select a green color, or enter values in the color text fields to the right of the picker window (we used C=90%, M=0%, Y=100%, B=0%), then click OK.
The yellow shape now has green shading applied to it.
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Change the Ambient Light to 40%, then click OK.
Ambient light controls the brightness on the surface uniformly.
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Choose File > Save.
Create your own revolved artwork
Now you will create your own 3D shape. In this next lesson, you will create a path and adjust the offset to create a vase and see the interesting results you can achieve.
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Choose View Show Rulers, or Ctrl+R (Windows) or Command+R (Mac OS).
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Create a vertical guide by clicking on the vertical ruler and dragging it out to a blank area on your artboard.
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Choose the Pen tool and create a vertical path with several curves, representing the curves that will be replicated in the 3D shape. If it is easier, use the Pencil tool to draw a path. The size of the path is not important at this time, it can be scaled later.
Create a path to revolve
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Using the Fill box in the Control panel, select a color for the fill, and choose None in the Stroke fill box.
Example of curves and the resulting 3D shape
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Choose Effect > 3D > Revolve, and check the Preview checkbox.
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Depending upon the effect you want to achieve, you can change the axis from the Left Edge to the Right Edge.
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To make the 3D object wider, choose an offset. The slider moves rather quickly, so type 50 into the Offset text field. If necessary, uncheck and recheck Preview to see the results.
Offset at 0 pt. and the result
Offset at 50 pt. and the result
If the lighting options are not visible, click on the More Options button to add an additional light source to the vase.
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In the lighting preview window, click on the New button to add another light source. Position the lights so that one is on the lower left and the other is in the upper right of the preview object.
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Change the Ambient Light to 25%.
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Click OK.
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Choose File > Save. Leave this file open for the next lesson.
Use the 3D Rotate effect
Finally you will create a place mat upon which the can, the soap, and the vase you created earlier will sit. For this example you will create a rectangle, fill it with a pattern and use the Rotate effect to make it look as though it is lying down on a flat surface.
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Create a rectangle that encompasses the entire artwork.
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Making sure that the Fill swatch is forward in the toolbox, select the pattern Stripes from the Swatches palette.
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Give the rectangle a stroke of None.
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With the rectangle still selected choose Effect > 3D > Rotate, and check Preview.
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Using the text fields, enter 70% for the rotation around the X axis. For the rotation around the Y axis, specify 0%. Specify 0% for the rotation around the Z axis.
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Enter 75% for the amount of perspective. Click OK.
The rectangle now looks like a place mat sitting on a table. Notice how the pattern also has the perspective applied to it.
The Rotate Options window, and the result
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With the rectangle still selected, choose Object > Arrange > Send to Back. Using the Selection tool, position in place.
The completed illustration
Once you have applied the 3D effect to an object, it remains a live effect. In other words, you can change the scale of the object or change the color, and the 3D effect remains.
Note: Do not rotate objects with the 3D effects applied to them; you will get unexpected results. To rotate a 3D object, double-click on the Appearance palette 3D effect, and rotate the item in space using the Position preview window.
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Once you have rearranged objects as you like, you have completed the lesson. Choose File > Save, then choose File > Close.
