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Cool Swirly Lines in Illustrator

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:13:22 +0000

How to make a Swirl Line in Adobe Illustrator

Making a swirl line in adobe Illustrator is very simple and easy. It won’t take too much time to finish it.

I will be happy if you would show me your result from this tutorial. You know you want to see me happy

Author: VINCA

Vinca is a freelance Illustrator / Designer which resides in Malaysia. Currently, Vinca is an Editorial Artist for The Star News Press. She is also doing freelance for Flash interactive animation and games.

Tutorial Details

Program: Adobe Illustrator
Version: CS2
Difficulty: Beginner onwards

Step 1: Setting up

Open a new document or Ctrl + N.

Adjust the setting like the picture below.

Color Mode: RGB color

Dimensions: 640px, 480px

Step 2: Pen tool

Select the pen tools on the tools bar or click P (shortcut) on the keyboard.

Step 3: Adjust stroke line

Click Windows – stroke or ctrl + f10 to open the stroke tab.

Adjust the stroke like mine.

weight : 0.25pt

Step 4 – Outline

Turn off the fill color.

Select your color for the stroke line.

I choose blue, bcoz blue makes me happy.

Step 5 – Let’s draw!

Draw a curvy line on the work stage.

Step 6 – Simplify

After that, on the menu, choose Object – Path – Simplify.

Step 7 – Adjusting

Adjust the line according to ur need.

It will fix the curve of ur line.

Step 8 – Select

Select the selection tool on the tools bar or click V on the keyboard.

Click on anywhere on the screen.

It will end the line that u just draw.

Step 9 – Add line

Select another color on the pallete.

I choose green, coz green is my kitty’s eyes color.

Step 10 – Add Color

Repeat step 5 to 7.

Make sure that it is overlapped with the blue line.

Step 11 – Select

Select both of the lines.

Step 12 – Blend tool

Double click on the Blend Tool on the tools bar.

Step 13 – Adjust blend

Change the setting like mine.

Specified steps, 20

Step 14 – Blending

On the menu, choose Object – Blend – Make or simply click ALT + CTRL + B.

Final Step

There u go!

Additional step

If u want more complicated swirl, just simply add more before you blend in.

Complicated swirl

They says the more, the merrier isn’t it?

3D Icon and Shape Design in Illustrator – Video Tutorial

admin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:58:07 +0000

Want to learn “Icon and Shape Design in Illustrator” ?

Interface and Icon Designer, Wendell Fernandes of Dellustrations.com, shows us some of his tricks on how to design an icon in Adobe Illustrator. He builds an icon from scratch on this video. He shows us how to make shapes that could be valuable in many applications.

A little about Wendell:

My name is Wendell Fernandes, Creative Director of Dellustrations.com, I am a Brazilian-born user interface and icon designer , I was also one of several designers who brought the new Monster.com live. In addition to Monster.com, I’ve also worked with clients like Dell, and DivX. My focus is bringing UI creativity in the industry and innovative solutions that make sense in today’s market. You can contact me by visiting Dellustrations.com.

[See post to watch Flash video]

How to Draw a Vector Character in Adobe Illustrator

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:35:42 +0000

Draw a character in Adobe Illustrator

In this tutorial we’ll learn how to create vector characters in Adobe Illustrator from sketch. First thing we need is to have the idea. Think about something that is nice to draw yourself. I’ve chosen a Turkish Ice Cream Guy named Meresh, living under the sea, who is an octopus.

Author: Samet Cicek

Samet Cicek is a graphic designer, an illustrator and a photographer based in Istanbul. He is a world-wide freelancer currently working at Microsoft as online marketing specialist.

Tutorial Details

Program: Adobe Illustrator
Version: CS3
Difficulty: Beginner

Donors

Scan file: Meresh Sketch
AI File: AI File

Step 1: Draw a sketch!

Use your creativity! Think about it! Maybe something you like, maybe something you hate. Just take the pencil/pen on paper and start. Once I sketched on a moleskine, I put the better on A4 paper.

Step 2: Scan the paper and open in Illustrator

Scan the big paper with the highest resolution available. Do not scan less than 300dpi. The higher resolution you have, more chance to work in details. After you scan the file, simply drag and drop it to the AI icon. Voila! Let’s get this party started!

Step 3: Setting the pen tool

Stroke width should be as thin as possible for precise tracing. Pen’s fill should be blank. I choose the color red as stroke color but you can choose any different color you want.

Step 4 – Tracing the edges

When tracing, think of image as separate layers. Start from the layer at the bottom, then come forward one by one. No need to fill the layers with color, you need to see every layer behind. Go with the basic outlines first. We’ll put the shadows and details later.

Tip: If you don’t want to select the scanned image accidentally, you can lock the image. First select the image and press [Cmd + 2] on keyboard or Object > Lock. To unlock: [Cmd + Alt + 2] or Object > Unlock

Step 5 – Coloring

Specify the color of your character and it’s accessories. Since it’s an undersea creature, I’ll choose blue. A red ‘Fes’ and orange vest. Ice cream cones will be pink. You can hide the scanned image since you’re done with it (Cmd + 3) I’d rather not to delete, in case I might need it later.

Tip: Leave the stroke color blank while coloring, it’s easier to handle the edges without strokes.

Step 6 – Adding shadows

To add shadow on a path, simply duplicate the path with Copy [Cmd + C] and Paste in Front [Cmd + F]. Then use the ‘Knife Tool’ and slice the area you want to add shadow.

When you slice the path into two pieces use the ‘Direct Selection Tool’ (A) and delete the path you don’t need. After deleting the unnecessary part, you can darken the image and use it as a shadow.

Step 7 – Glows

Draw the shape you want to glow and fill it with lighter color.

Final – Vector Character

There you have it! The finishing touches have been made to “Meresh” and he’s ready to be seen by the world. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

3D Icons & Shapes in Illustrator

admin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:21:50 +0000

3D Icons & Shapes using Illustrator

by Wendell Fernandes

We often see beautiful designs around nowadays. Many designers have the skills and knowledge to create amazing things using all the digital tools available and most explore all the creative facets. This is due to such an increase in technology which pushes us everyday to learn something new and fun to do. Today, I’ll be more than happy to show you a few basic elements that can potentially take this to a next level. I’ll be showing you a few different techniques on how to create 3D icons & Shapes using Illustrator.

Please find below the final result we are trying to achieve here. It’s a good practice to forget how the “final design” should look like, just because our main goal here is to fully comprehend this tool. We need to further expand our skills and “learn” what can be done. Let’s get to it!

We are looking at a sample of a “dummy” logo called: ESPO MARKETING. Notice we have a few important elements here. There is a modern “target” icon, we are also using a modern type of “arrow”. Also we can see a realistic “shadow” adding some depth, and finally we have some highlights used to add some “light” figurative effect.

EXAMPLE 1:

To further explore this logo and elements we need to understand this icon in parts, and below is a breakdown of how things were added to it.

EXAMPLE 2:

As we can see, we can create great shapes using this powerful tool. On the number “1″, we can see that we needed to create the basic shape, and thinking about the end result we can plan ahead.

The number 2 is the most crucial element we have. In this step we are forced to add the correct angle and basic “look & feel” to our icons. Specially, we are adding the correct coordinates to help you get the same result as we have here. I often catch myself writing down the coordinates on my “whiteboard” as I can forget, and later we’ll see how that applies, and why it’s so important.

Below is how we create this shape using our 3D tool (Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel):

As you can see we have a few important elements here that will further expand our knowledge. The 3 numbers represent how the icon/object will be positioned, and this is crucial in creating icons as we will set the angle and style of each icon inside our icon family. We want our icons and shapes to be consistent to the overall design of the site/application.

The number shown as the “perspective” is the number representing how the icon will look in accordance with our x, and y grid and how “hard” that position will be. The “Extrude Depth” number represents how “tall” or “thick” you want your element to be, and finally the “Plastic Shading” gives the icon/object a glossy effect. I personally use this effect for all of our icons, but you are welcome to explore other options as you see fit.

Now we can start playing with our colors, transparency effects and gradients to get the style we want, and this is where you can really “add” to your work.

Prior to that you need to complete one step that is crucial and this is where I come back to what I was mentioning before in regards to “setting the icon family style”. We have to play with color from now on, and before we can change colors and add our own flavor, we need to “flatten” this object to something we can edit. See below for details.

Notice that this shape has not yet been “expanded” or “flattened”. To do that, we need to go to our upper menu, and choose: Object > Expand Appearance. See example below:

Here is our result after expanding the object:

If you look at our previous sample, you notice they look a bit different, that is due to the fact that, each shape is not “really” selected. It also means we cannot edit any part of this shape. Now we can “ungroup” our shape after being expanded (to do this right click the logo and click “Ungroup.” Do this until “Ungroup” disappears), and play with, colors, gradients, transparency etc… let’s start adding some colors:

We can start by adding some regular shape gradients they way we want. It’s important to notice that this goes with each designers creativity, and the style and coloration is based on our projects and requirements. After applying some gradients, it’s a good idea to make it shine. We do that by adding some highlights.

We use our same gradient, however we change our transparency from “normal” to “Lighten” which will help us with our “transparency”. We don’t want shapes overlapping each other!

See example below:

Now we can start adding complementary items such as the arrow and the shadow.
For the shadow we applied 2 shapes on top of each other in the exact same position.
The reason for that is because we need extra “dark” effect, and using the “Multiply”
transparency effect, we can easily achieve that. See Below:

After applying all the effects to this shape, here is what we get at the end:

Now, to add the final touch we can add the logo “text” “ESPO MARKETING” and add some
light reflecting effect to the target shape “WITHOUT” the arrow on top. We will simply
duplicate the shape and place it underneath the main icon.

Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial! See you next time!

Wendell

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How to Create an Icon in Illustrator

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:55:57 +0000

How to Create an Icon in Adobe Illustrator

by Wendell Fernandes

Hello viewers and visitors. We wanted to pass along a basic tutorial of how these icons are usually done. We’ll be providing a Basic Icon Tutorial which combines a simple idea and approach to creating an icon that is really simple to use and fun to do. You will need some experience on using Adobe Illustrator for this tutorial. So Let’s get started on our tutorial.

1. First, look at the Final Result

We have to look at what we are going to try to accomplish here. We are trying to get a feel for a nice icon design and at the same time, keep it very doable for all users and I’ll see to provide you with specific details later on but for now, let us look at the final result and how we are going to accomplish it.

Final Result – Figure 1

2. Create Rectangle Shape and Apply Gradient

As you can see above we have a pretty simple idea of what we are trying to accomplish here. Now let’s go ahead and try to get the same result following similar directions. We are going to design a base for our icon. You will accomplish this by doing the following:

Create a rectangle shape, and apply a default gradient to it. We are going to play around with the directions of the gradient. We need to click and drag from one side to the other to get different results. Please note that we are NOT applying any “Transparency Effect” on this shape just yet.

See results below:

Figure 2

3. Change Transparency

Now that we have a basic shape like the above example, we are going to COPY + PASTE the same shape using the Key Board, press, Command + C and Command + F (Which is to paste right in front of the selected shape). Now you are going to change the transparency from normal, to “Multiply”. This should give you the following result:

Figure 3

4. Apply another direction for the Gradient

As you can see the result above, I am applying a different direction to the gradient. Below is how you get different directions of the gradient.

Figure 4

5. Create a Rectangle Shape

We are going to need as many as of this different shape we need, if we are trying to achieve a different type of result, you will need to play around with other colors etc. but for now let’s keep it simple. Next we’ll create a round rectangle shape, using the same position and angle of the last shape we did. You can round the corners of your shape by going to the “Effects”, then you go to “Stylized” and then finally “Round Corners”, add your round corner radius and you should get the following:

Figure 5

6. Subtract the middle using the Pathfinder Tool

We’ll need to “subtract” the middle section of this shape by using the “Pathfinder” Tool. You can select this tool by going to the in context menu and choose it from Window>Pathfinder. By doing this you should get this following shape:

Figure 6

7. Design the Base of the Icon

After accomplishing these steps so far, you should have a pretty good idea of how you will approach the rest of the shapes. Note that many of these are very simple but they need proper attention as you cannot lose consistency on designing icons specially when there are multiple icons involved in one project. The following will show you how we designed our BASE for the icon we are creating. See Below:

Figure 7

8. Top Half of the Icon

As you can see this is a solid metal-like banner. You can see that there has been a shadow added. This gives a subtle touch to the icon. Remember, the more details, better off you will be, but will take up more time. Now we are going to use the COPY + PASTE as previously mentioned. We’ll get back to this point further down the tutorial. Below is the TOP half of this puzzle.

Figure 8

9. Create the Following Shapes

Now we are going to hide this TOP cover for now and let’s focus a bit on the fun stuff. Take a look at this visual element. You will notice that you will need to create multiple shapes in order to accomplish the same look and feel. Using the same technique we have used before, let’s try making these following shapes:

Figure 9

10. Add Shapes to the Icon

As you can see these shapes are very simple and added they form the middle section of the icon. If we have them added, you get this following result:

Figure 10

11. Put the Cover On

We have to place our BASE on the bottom and “Bring to Back” and the cover we need to “Bring to Front”. This will give us a nice icon as the next image.

Figure 11

12. Create the “Time Machine” Icon for the Top

If you have noticed in the very beginning of this tutorial, I have shown you an icon that has a spinning clock or “Time Machine” type of icon. Let’s call back up this icon for now. The question you might be asking yourself is, how do you get that shape? You simple create a circle, Edit it creating an arrow, subtract things and add things as you see fit, using the “Pathfinder” tool which is located inside “Window” on the top main menu.

Figure 12

13. Final Result – The Icon

Now you should have a 98% chance of getting the same result. Here is the final version, Check it Out! Once again viewers, thank you for the opportunity to talk about some of what we provide!

Sincerely,

Wendell Fernandes

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How to Draw Mooncakes in Illustrator

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:19:29 +0000

How to Draw Mooncakes in Illustrator

by Cmate

Mid Autumn is drawing near and I’ve got friends from the creative industry discussing if there is a possibility of drawing almost-real mooncakes on Illustrator. We have the same opinion that drawing a mooncake clipart is not going to work on a promotion brochure because it’s food we are talking about. A cartoon food graphic is not going to be as enticing as the real photo of the dish. So what do we do if we need a photo of a mooncake but can’t seem to get our hands on a copyright-free image?

Finished Design

All of us went home and experimented a few ways to draw almost-real mooncakes. Combining the two new methods I have discovered lately (How to Draw Flower Shape & How to Create 3D Objects), I managed to design the mooncakes image above – which got the approval of my fellow designer friends. Yet again, the steps are simple and only takes up two minutes to completion. Let me share with all of you how to do it.

Step 1: Draw a Flower Shape in Adobe Illustrator

Using the same method in How to Draw Flower Shape, create a visual like in Figure 1, below. Fill the colour with an orangish brown that resembles mooncake colour.

Figure 1

Step 2: Use Extrude and Bevel Effects

Now, select the object and go to EFFECTS > 3D > Extrude & Bevel. Follow the settings above. You can amend the settings based on your preference. Click OK and you will get the very base of your mooncake.

Figure 2

Step 3: Design the Pattern for the Top of the Mooncake

It’s time to design the pattern or icon for the top of your mooncake. Make sure that size of your design is not bigger than the mooncake base. I’ve drawn a smiley face for this tutorial.

Figure 3

Step 4: Group and Repeat Step 2

Group your design and then repeat Step 2 with your new object. This time, make sure you adjust the Extrude Depth to a smaller amount. I’m using 5pt for this tutorial.

Figure 4

Step 5: Click OK to give object same effect as Mooncake

When you have clicked OK, your object will have the same effect as your mooncake base – only with a thinner depth.

Figure 5

Step 6: Place design on Mooncake base

Simply place your design on the mooncake base and adjust the position accordingly. The result should be like above.

Figure 6

Step 7: Apply Film Grain Effect

Even after Step 6, your mooncake looks like it’s been illustrated from a manga page. Here’s where details count. Select all and go to EFFECT > ARTISTIC > FILM GRAIN. A new option menu will pop up.

Figure 7

Step 8: Complete the Texture

You may follow the settings which I have used here or adjust according to your preference. Basically, we are adding some texture to the mooncake. When you click OK, it’s completed!

Figure 8

Now, you have a mooncake that is almost-real looking. Just place it where you need it to be, add some effects such as shadow and lightings to it and it’s good to go. Simple right? Yet another two-minute solution that both amazes and impresses me. Have fun drawing!

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Gina Yap, better known as Cmate in the internet realm is a passionate blogger who both writes and designs communication materials for big and small marketing campaigns. She also contributes articles to blogs, online and offline publication. At current, she is dungeon keeping at Cybermate’s Dungeon.

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Floating 3D Vector Effect in Illustrator

admin — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:23:18 +0000

Floating 3D Vector Effect in Illustrator

by haetro

This was the logo that I was submitted in The Perfect Design logo contest and I’m here to teach you how to create a vector 3D rendition in Adobe Illustrator.

Step 1 – Open document in Illustrator

First thing is open a new document leaving the document setting default and click Okay.

Step 2 – Create or import your logo

Start creating your logo by drawing any symbols, for example pick the ellipse tool or rectangle tool or anything that you like, in this case i already created my logo for this tutorial and supply a different colors.

Starting Logo

Step 3 – Select, Extrude and Bevel

Select all the logo shape and click the Effect menu in the menu bar, click the 3D submenu and choose the Extrude and Bevel (see Fig 3.1)

Fig 3.1

Step 4 – Extrude & Bevel Options

The 3D Extrude & Bevel Options window will appear (see Fig. 4.1) , first check the Preview box this will enable you to see the look of the shape in 3D. There are two ways to adjust your 3D shape by rotating the 3D box or by specifying the rotation around X,Y,Z axis (see Fig 4.2) , in this case i put -21° in the Y axis and make the Extrude Depth equal to 30pt. You can explore the Extrude and Bevel and other options available, when you’re satisfied on the look and depth of your 3D shape, just hit the OK button.

Fig 4.1

Fig 4.2

Step 5 – Expand and Ungroup

Now i have my 3D rendered shape i need to work on colors and gradient, but before that you need to expand the 3D shape, by doing that just select the object and go to Object menu and click Expand Appearance (see Fig. 5.1), while still selected, right click on the object and click Ungroup (see Fig 5.2), repeat it until you don’t see the Ungroup option anymore.

Fig 5.1 Fig 5.2

Step 6 – Unite parts

Using the pathfinder tool you can unite the shape by clicking all the parts (see Fig. 6) and Alt+click the Unite Mode and click expand.

Fig 6

Step 7 – Add Offset Path

Adding Offset Path. First click the original shape (see Fig. 7.1) and go to Object > Path > Offset Path (see Fig. 7.2) and add the value -0.03in in Offset textbox and check the Preview checkbox (see Fig. 7.3) then hit Ok button.

Fig 7.1 Fig 7.2

Fig 7.3

Step 8 – Ungroup

After adding Offset Path you may now ungroup each of the group shape (see Fig. 8).

Fig 8

Step 9 – Change Colors Using Gradient Tool

Changing colors and adding Gradient effect using the Gradient Tool . Explore the colors in the gradient tool window (see Fig 9.1) and apply each to the object

Fig 9.1

Step 10 – The Star Tool

Adding some twinkling star using the Star Tool . Just click the Star tool and click on the working space area while holding the left mouse button + press the ALT key and drag the mouse so that you will create a similar star effect like in (see Fig. 10.1). When you get the star shape you like just resize it, copy and paste to the edges of the logo like what I did in (see Fig. 10.2)

Fig 10.1 Fig 10.2

Step 11 – Add the Floating Shadow

Adding floating shadow. To do these just create an ellipse using the Ellipse Tool and position below the 3D logo (see Fig. 11.1). Go the Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur (see Fig. 11.2) and add any value in the Radius textbox, in this case I put 9.4 pixel (see Fig 11.3)

Fig 11.1 Fig 11.2 Fig 11.3

That’s it, here’s the final output of the logo.