Vector Graphics Course

2D/3D Project

Three-D Techniques

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• Today's Goal
  • Enhance initial drawings
    • In this second step of the project, you return to each of the outlines traced in step one, and add drawing features to suggest solid three-dimensional objects. The end result will be five files, each showing a different crest with your enhancements.
  • Make your own creative statement
    • The handout describes several different graphic techniques--you decide how to match crests and techniques.
    • Additionally, you can devise additional techniques, or combine multiple techniques on the same file.
• Some 3-D approaches you can try:
  • Drop shadow: (creates the illusion that the crest is floating above the surface of the page)
    • Select the outermost path of the crest outline. Edit-->Clone.
    • Modify-->Arrange-->Send to Back; make sure the cloned image is still selected.
    • In the Transform palette (display using the Window menu) click on the Move icon (the first one at the top-left).
      • Enter the distances to offset the cloned image both horizontally and vertically, click <Apply>. Leave the path selected.
    • Use the Fill and Stroke Inspectors to set outline to None and the fill to Basic (choose an appropriate color or tint)
      
  • Cast shadow: (creates the illusion that the crest is standing upright on a receding surface)
    • Select the outermost path of the crest outline. Edit-->Clone.
    • Modify-->Arrange-->Send to Back; make sure the cloned image is still selected.
    • Double-click the Skew tool (the second from the bottom in the right column in the Toolbox) to activate the Skew icon in the Transform palette.
      • Click on the lower-left corner of the clone to enter its coordinates for Center X & Y
      • Enter the skew angles: -45° for horiz., 0° for vertical. Click <Apply>. Leave the path selected.
    • Click on the Scale icon in the Transform palette (the third one from the top-left).
      • Click again on the lower-left corner of the clone to enter its coordinates for Center X & Y
      • Uncheck Uniform. Enter Scale Factors: 100% for X., 60% for Y. Click <Apply>. Leave the path selected.
    • Use the Fill and Stroke Inspectors to set outline to None and the fill to Basic (choose an appropriate color or tint)
      
  • Depth: (creates the illusion that the crest is a 3-D object with sides)
    • This will be easier with simpler objects, such as the three-arm crest.
    • Before starting, make sure that "Join non-touching paths" in File-->Preferences (Object category) is checked
    • Select the outermost path of the crest outline. Edit-->Clone. Leave the path selected.
    • Use "New" in the Options menu of the Layers palette to create a new layer.
      • Click on the name of the new layer to transfer the clone to that layer. Press Tab to deselect.
      • Drag the name of the new layer below the name of the Crest layer, so that the clone will be behind the original crest in the drawing.
      • Click to remove check mark next to Crest layer, hiding it.
      • Click on the name of the new layer to make it current.
    • Use the Arrow tool to shift-select the two points at the beginning and end of the visible portion of the outline (this is the part of the sides of the object seen by a slightly off-center viewer).
      
      
      In the picture above, the selected points are shown outlined and with direction handles extended.
    • Use Modify-->Split to break the path at the selected points.
      
    • Deselect all, then select the part of the path not visible to the viewer and delete it.
      
    • Select the cut path. Edit-->Clone. Use arrow tool to move this second clone both horizontally and vertically. Leave selected.
      
    • Shift-click the first clone with arrow tool, so that both cut paths are selected.
    • Modify-->Join. This will connect one endpoint on the first path to the closest endpoint on the second path.
      
    • In the Object Inspector, check Closed to close the combined path.
      
    • Use Fill and Stroke Inspectors to set the appearance of the combined path as appropriate.
    • Click to display check mark next to Crest layer, showing the original crest outline.
      
  • Shading and highlights: (create the illusion that the crest is 3-D through lighting effects)
    • Create a shape suggesting the shading on the crest, and large enough to completely enclose the crest.
      • Fill and Stroke Inspectors: Line: None, Fill: Basic (choose a dark shade).
    • Create a second, smaller shape (completely enclosed by the previous one) suggesting the shape of the highlight on the crest. Use Object Inspector to verify that the path is closed.
      • Fill and Stroke Inspectors: Line: None, Fill: Basic (choose a light shade).
    • Select both the highlight and shading shapes. Modify-->Combine-->Blend.
    • Overlap the blend on the crest. Edit-->Cut.
    • Select the outermost path of the crest outline. Edit-->Paste Inside.

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This document originally at <http://www.sanedraw.com/LEARN/EL_ILLST/CRESTS2/INDEX.HTM> Copyright 2001 by Sandro Corsi. Created 1998-09-15. Last modified 2001-02-04.