Creating 3D Shapes in Illustrator
Corey learned this from a fellow designer. He shows us how to use Illustrator to create a stroke and apply 3D effects to it and then bring it over to Photoshop to use as an interesting background graphic.
This video requires Adobe Flash Player.
Here’s a look at the finished product from Corey’s Illustrator tutorial

Visitor Comments »
Comment by Joro Illustratör | June 9, 2008 @ 9:47 am
that was a good tut. would like to see what other shapes can be made also.
thanks
Comment by jacob | June 9, 2008 @ 10:25 am
Thank you Corey am learning from you guys all the time .
Many thanks
Regard
Comment by said | June 9, 2008 @ 12:25 pm
Corey was one of the most impressive at Photoshop World in Orlando. I realized very quickly that I could learn A LOT from a guru like him. Made me take a second look at the possibilities inside illustrator!
Comment by sean steezy | June 9, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
This is amazingly useful since most (well me at least) can’t afford 3D software. Great tutorial. Thanks.
Comment by Randy Calderon | June 9, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
Just wondering why Corey insists the revolve must always be around the left side of the object.
There’s a pull-down menu in the Revolve dialog that lets you choose between left and right… Self-proclaimed guru’s aren’t always right![]()
Comment by Roland | June 13, 2008 @ 3:53 am
if you bring that into flash form illy will it retate completey like a real 3d object. I mean can you use this instead of something created in Swift 3D
Comment by holly | June 14, 2008 @ 12:41 am
Basic, but clear explanation, easy to follow, nice and nite. I like it very much.
I hope Layers Magazine dedicates more space for this helpfull Illustrator tips and tutorials (sadly they do not show up us often they should).
Thank you Corey and please do not forget us (the illustrator, indesign, after efects and other non-photoshop fans).
Comment by Marco | June 14, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Thanks
That was really good
Well narrated
Comment by fredie Saint-Cyr | June 16, 2008 @ 5:48 am
wow its cool
Comment by rameshvee | June 18, 2008 @ 5:41 am
thanks!
Comment by roberthsu | June 24, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
its awesome, but I’m an idiot. I can’t get the gradient to appear in my layer mask…
Comment by dustin | June 28, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Let’s dust off the cobwebs from this thread…You can always use text with Revolve to create some pretty cool shapes too. I never thought of using a dashed line though, very cool results. As for comparing with a 3D software program, for basic shapes this is far easier and faster than using 3D software, but of course it all depends on your output and design.
Comment by davy | July 8, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Very nice use of Illustrator and Photoshop
Comment by Steve Lopez | July 14, 2008 @ 8:37 pm
God Bless You! You opened my eyes to so many things new.
Thank you.
Comment by slatiwonk | September 5, 2008 @ 11:55 pm
you are like a magician.bravo!
Comment by pohrib constantin | September 20, 2008 @ 6:47 am
Bad thing about 3D effects is that 3D objects has slow redraw rate (when you use zoom tool, for example)
Comment by Anton | September 28, 2008 @ 9:55 am
for some reason my layer mask will not allow me to add the gradient, can someone help me? What am i doing wrong?
Comment by David | September 30, 2008 @ 5:54 am
nice i like….
Comment by katia | December 15, 2008 @ 3:22 am
[...] Creating 3D Shapes in Illustrator Utilize the Revolve tool in Illustrator to create a great-looking 3-dimensional shape. [...]
Pingback by 50 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Video Tutorials | How2Pc | January 5, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
[...] Creating 3D Shapes in Illustrator Utilize the Revolve tool in Illustrator to create a great-looking 3-dimensional shape. [...]
Pingback by 50 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Video Tutorials | The Blog Specialist | January 9, 2009 @ 2:36 am
[...] iPod Nano from scratch using the 3D Effect tool (among other tools and techniques) in Illustrator. Creating 3D Shapes in Illustrator Utilize the Revolve tool in Illustrator to create a great-looking 3-dimensional shape. Draw Fluffy [...]
Pingback by 50 Super Video Tutorials per Illustrator | Coolgio Blog | January 20, 2009 @ 10:42 am
m8, u r the 1!
Comment by john | February 3, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
[...] 3 Boyutlu Şekiller Oluşturmak [...]
Pingback by Ben Oradaydım » Blog Archive » 50 adet Adobe Illustrator Video Anlatımı | February 10, 2009 @ 5:17 am
I’m new to Illustrator and failing miserably!
Is there some simple reason I can’t seem to copy and paste from Illustrator into PhotoShop? Several tutorials ask for that … but everytime when I cut from Illustrator and then go into PS, all fo the Edit options are grayed out. Someone help please!
Comment by Mollie Doll | February 13, 2009 @ 10:06 am
[...] Creating 3D Shapes in Illustrator [...]
Pingback by 50 exzellente Adobe Illustrator Video Tutorials | May 24, 2009 @ 8:43 am
this s really great n help me in creating a 3D fishing handles! I never really check out that ‘revolve’ effect before, just ‘extrude & bevel’, which ‘revolve’ is way cooler! and check out the use of dotted lines! Smarty!
However, for the ‘overlaying’ part, it can be done in illustrator too.ain’t it? Since it’s just a background and ‘overlay’ effect, and nothing else. The same way in photoshop, in illustrator it’s Window – Transparency tab – overlay.
great work though!
Comment by Mar- | July 15, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
[...] Creating 3D Shapes in Illustrator Utilize the Revolve tool in Illustrator to create a great-looking 3-dimensional shape. [...]
Pingback by 50 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Video Tutorials « Smashing Magazine | October 15, 2009 @ 11:41 am
I would like to use this effect in a logo (I am Very New To Illustrator , but very intermediate at Photoshop) is there a way to edit / cut out parts of this effect w/out loosing the 3d effect?
Comment by Kat | November 6, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
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