3DModel

Creating a 3D Object Using Adobe Illustrator

In this article, I will introduce how to create 3D objects using Adobe Illustrator.

You can create a 3D object in 2D. The result is pretty unique and looks different from the average 3D model.

完成イメージ

Final Image

Basics

There are 3 functions in Adobe Illustrator for creating 3D objects.

  • Extrude/Bevel
  • Rotate
  • Revolving

By using these 3 functions, you can create an object similar to the one shown in the image below.

完成イメージ

Final Image

The first image is an object created by extrude/bevel function. The second image is an object created by rotation. The third image is an object created by revolving.

I will explain how each function works.

Extrude/Bevel

First, create a new Adobe document.

ファイルの新規作成

Create a new file

 

ファイルの新規作成

Create a new file

 

Once you create a new file, choose the rectangle tool as shown in the image below.

It is the icon highlighted in the left tool bar.

長方形ツールを選択する

Select the rectangle tool

Draw a rectangle.

Click the white background with the rectangle tool and a window will appear like in the image below.

Set the width and height to 150px to create a square.

縦150px、横150pxの正方形を作成する

Creating a square with W 150px and H 150px

Select the square.

正方形を選択する

Selecting the square

Choose Effect > 3D > Extrude/Bevel.

押し出し・ベベルを選択する

Choose Extrude/Bevel

You will be able to edit the Extrude/Bevel options. Edit the parameters according to the object you want to create.

Here, I set the ‘Extrude Depth’ to 70 pt and the Bevel to ’Gentle’.

After you are finished editing, press ‘OK’.

押し出し・ベベルオプション

Extrude/Bevel options

Press OK to create the 3D extruded object.

The depth is set to 70 pt and a gentle bevel is shown on all sides.

押し出し・ベベル実行結果

Extrude/Bevel results

Rotation

Next, I will introduce ‘Rotation’.

Create another square just like the one earlier with H = 150px and W = 150px.

Choose Effect ＞ 3D ＞ Rotation.

回転を選択する

Choose Rotation

A 3D rotation option will appear.

Drag the 3D rotate option cube in the direction you want to rotate the object.

I rotated the object so that the light blue surface faces the bottom left.

Press OK when you are done.

3D回転オプション

3D Rotation options

The square will rotate.

3D回転実行結果

3D rotation result

Revolving

Next, I will introduce revolving.

This method rotates a shape around an axis to create a 3D object.

Create another square just like the one earlier with H = 150px and W = 150px.

長方形を選択する

Choose a rectangle

Choose Effect ＞ 3D ＞ Revolve.

回転体を選択する

Select a Revolve object

The revolve options window will appear as shown in the image below.

I set the revolve axis to ‘left’, and the degree to ‘360°’.

3D回転体オプション

3D revolve option

If you press OK, a cylinder will appear like in the image below.

3D回転体実行結果

3D revolve result

Export Image

The file you just created is an .ai file.

If you want to upload your object to STYLY, you have to use a .png or .jpeg file.

For this example, I will export the object as a .png file.

Choose File > Export > Export format as shown in the image below and save the object as a png file.

画像の書き出し

Image Export

Uploading to STYLY

If you want to upload the png file to STYLY, please refer to the following article for details.

Understanding Assets Which You Can Import into a Scene
Understanding Assets Which You Can Import into a Scene

 

In this article, I introduced how to create 3D objects using Adobe Illustrator.

I hope you practice making objects using Adobe Illustrator.