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DECEMBER 18, 2003 3D Effects in Illustrator CS, Part 2
So now let's try doing one the right way. Just as an example, we'll create a bevel that will convert our circle into a 3D object with a shape something like a baseball bat. So first, open up your Bevels.ai file again and create a bevel that looks something like this (following the instructions above for creating and saving a bevel).  [an error occurred while processing this directive]After you quit and relaunch Illustrator. Open up your previous document, and select the 60-point circle you created at the beginning. Apply Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel, and set the bevel shape to the one you just created (in my case Dave Bevel 7). It doesn't look like much yet. But then expand the extrusion depth to 500 pixels, and set the bevel height to 45 pixels. Suddenly you have something that resembles a baseball bat, and you should be able to see the relationship between the bevel shape you created and the extruded object.  The bevel shape is interpreted from left to right in 2D as "back" to "front" in 3D. Not too tricky. Now just apply some changes to your lighting, and you're good to go.  Experiment with bevel shapes keeping in mind what you've learned from this article. Remember that bevels can be of any shape or size, and it's just a matter of tweaking the extrusion settings (height and depth) to get the final effect you wish to achieve. Also remember that bevels can be applied to any object, not just circles. For example, our bevel can be used on a square to create something of a banister effect.  All it takes is a little experimentation to get the hang of it. Next time around we'll take a look at Illustrator's Rotate 3D effect. Until then, if you have any questions, drop me a line or visit me in one of the forums listed below. Contact the author: Dave Nagel is the editor and producer of Creative Mac and Digital Media Designer; host of several World Wide User Groups, including Synthetik Studio Artist, Adobe Photoshop, Apple DVD Studio Pro, Mac OS, Adobe InDesign, Adobe LiveMotion, Creative Mac and Digital Media Designer; and executive producer of the Digital Media Net family of publications. You can reach him at dnagel@digitalmedianet.com. Prev 1 2 3 4 Related sites: • Creative Mac • Digital Media Designer • Digital Producer • The WWUG Related forums: [an error occurred while processing this directive] 
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