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50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

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Adobe Illustrator is one of the best applications for making graphic artwork like logos, print designs and Web pages. As time goes on, more and more Illustrator techniques are introduced by talented designers and artists in the industry who achieve some of the best results on the Web. One hot trend nowadays is 3D effects. So, we’ve gathered together some 3D tutorials to give you an idea of what Adobe Illustrator offers and how to use its 3D features. This list mixes tutorials for beginners and experts.

Here then is our round-up of 50 Excellent Adobe Illustrator Tutorials for 3D artwork. You’ll learn a lot of techniques and good practices.

You may also be interested in the following related posts:

Adobe Illustrator 3D Tutorials

How to Create Funky 3D Springs in Illustrator
In this tutorial, learn how to create 3D springs in Illustrator.

3dgear in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Disco Ball Tutorial
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a disco ball effect in Illustrator.

3ddisco in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Design Gift Boxes Using Illustrator’s 3D Tools
Learn how to make a fully editable 3D ribbon and masked 3D typography. Also, you’ll create sparkles using the Symbol Tools.

3dgiftbox in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Let’s Make a Playful Yet Robust 3D Letter Design
This tutorial is perfect for the near beginner who wants to take their skills to the next level. You will create 3D text and use depth of field to enhance a design.

3dplayful in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Bowl
This tutorial shows how to create a realistic 3D fruit bowl illustration with Adobe Illustrator CS2.

3dbowl in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Illustrator Tutorial – 3D lighted text effect
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create 3D text and then apply some brushes to get a neat, futuristic spacey effect.

3dlight in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Create an Open Book with Illustrator’s 3D Extrude & Bevel Tool
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create an open book mostly using Illustrator’s 3D Extrude and Bevel Tool. You’ll create open pages with graphics and then add a wavy background.

3dbook in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Blue LCD Alarm Clock
Create a 3D neon-blue digital LCD clock in Illustrator, with a final step in Photoshop. This tutorial covers the Illustrator portion. Some skills you’ll learn here are creating perspective, blending and adding gloss.

3dclock in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Milk Bottle with a Funny Cow Label
In this tutorial, you will create a 3D milk bottle with a cute cow label.

3dbottle in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Charts in Adobe Illustrator CS
Create a 3D pie chart with transparency and highlights so that the graphic looks like semi-opaque plastic.

3dgraph in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Make 3D Yet Flat-Looking Shopping Basket Icons
Learn how to create a custom shopping-basket icon for your next Web design project. You’ll need a solid understanding of Adobe Illustrator’s tools to complete this tutorial.

3dbasket in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Make a Vector Military Cap Icon
This tutorial shows the intermediate-to-advanced Adobe Illustrator artist how to make a realistic military-style cap icon using mainly gradients, blends and the Gradient Mesh tool.

3dcap in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Rendering a 2-D Spark Plug Diagram from 3D Components in Illustrator
This tutorial takes you through building a 3D spark plug from multiple components and then expanding the image into a 2-D vector diagram.

3dplug in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Cool 3D Logo
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a company logo with a cool 3D style.

3dlogo in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Checkered 3D Chess Figure Scene
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a 3D chess scene with the help of the 3D Revolve tool and gradient masks.

3dchess in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Big 3D Graffiti Tutorial
An easy step-by-step tutorial on creating 3D graffiti artwork in Adobe Illustrator.

3dgraffiti in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Graphs
This tutorial shows you how to create 3D graphs in Adobe Illustrator CS2 with ease.

3dgraph2 in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Flower Pot
Create a 3D flower pot, including soil and flower, in this tutorial.

3dpot in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Make a Handy 3D Vector Calendar Icon
Make a handy calendar icon to use on your blog, website or print projects. You’ll use Illustrator’s Path and 3D tools to create this design.

3dcalendar in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create and Color an Eco Easter Egg in Adobe Illustrator
In this tutorial, you will learn how to create an “eco”-colored egg for Easter. It is eco because no artificial colorants are used.

3degg in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Using Swift as a Powerful 3D Illustration Tool
Learn how to create 3D illustrations using Adobe illustrator and Swift 3D .

3dswift in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Rotatable Globe in Adobe Illustrator
Create a 3D globe of the earth that revolves to show countries and continents.

3dearth in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Make Realistic Skate Wheels in Illustrator
In this tutorial, you’ll create a set of realistic skateboard wheels and map the wheels using the 3D Revolve tool in Illustrator. You will also learn some cool tricks to add finishing touches.

3dwheels in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Glossy Dice Tutorial
Create glossy dice in just seven steps. Throughout this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use the 3D features and other features in Illustrator.

3ddice in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Vibrant 3D Pixel Type Treatment
This tutorial shows you how to give fonts a 3D pixelated look. Using a free font, gradients and Illustrator’s 3D filter, you will easily create a type treatment that you can apply to many other fonts.

3dvector in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Can of Beans by Mapping Vectors to a 3D Object
Learn how to create a can of beans, built entirely from vectors, using the Symbols palette, the Extrude tool and Illustrator’s image mapping.

3dcan2 in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Working with 3D Objects and Transparencies to Make a Vector Cola Bottle Design
A tutorial that discusses how Illustrator deals with transparency in 3D objects. Learn how to create a plastic cola bottle.

3dcola in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Logo
This tutorial shows you how to make 3D gradient logo in minutes. This technique is great for making 3D graphic objects and icons.

3dlogo2 in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Hammer Using Illustrator
This tutorial show how to create a 3D hammer in 10 steps.

3dhammer in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Drawing a Vase in Illustrator Tutorial
In this tutorial, you’ll create a 3D vase using paths and 3D revolve options.

3dvase in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Turn a Boring Bar Graph into a 3D Masterpiece
In this tutorial, you’ll plot an accurate bar graph using Adobe Illustrator’s Graph tool and render the graph to give it added visual appeal.

3dgraph3 in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Fun with AI’s 3D tool
A tutorial exploring more of the 3D tools in Illustrator.

3dwire in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a 3D Pushpin and a Paper Note in Illustrator
A tutorial on creating a 3D pushpin with the 3D Revolve tool. You will also learn how to apply highlights and create shadows for a more realistic effect, and add a paper note.

3dpin in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Creating Omspace 3D cylinder graphic in Illustrator
In this tutorial, you will create good-looking 3D cylinders and symbols.

3dcylinder in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Design a Business Report Cover
Build a classic design layout quickly using Adobe Illustrator. Throughout this tutorial, you’ll use the 3D tool to make a set of business buildings, and then add motion lines.

3dbusiness in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Apple Tutorial
A tutorial on how to create a 3D apple.

3dapple in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Pill
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to create a 3D pill to cure your design headaches.

3dpill in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Dream Design with 3D Typography
In this tutorial, you’ll create a dreamscape with 3D typography using Illustrator and Photoshop.

3dtree in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

How to Make a Delicious Vector Orange in 9 Decisive Steps
Create a semi-realistic vector orange with simple shapes and tools and multiple effects.

3dorange in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Craft a Delicious Chinese Food Icon
This tutorial demonstrates how to craft a delicious Chinese food icon set, along with numerous vector Illustration techniques. You’ll need a strong command of Adobe Illustrator’s tools for this one.

3dbox in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Create a Colourful 3D Text Explosion
Create a 3D text explosion using Illustrator, and finish it with Photoshop.

3dexplode in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Adobe Illustrator in 3-D
Create a 3D can and label in Illustrator.

3dcan in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Isometric Vector Icon
Learn how to create a 3D isometric vector icon in Illustrator.

3dbox2 in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Use the power of Illustrator to Create Cool 3D Infographics
Translate abstract data into an easy-to-understand 3D illustration with these tips.

3dland in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3D Chess Board, King, and Pawn
Learn Illustrator’s 3D tools, Live Paint Bucket tool and pathfinders, and learn how to make a grid and show basic perspective.

3dboard in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Make a 3D Red Blood Cell Button in Illustrator
A tutorial that teaches you how to make red blood cells using the 3D effects in Illustrator.

3dblood in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

3-D Effects in Illustrator CS
A tutorial focusing on basic 3D effects in Illustrator. You will learn extrusion and bevel techniques, including surface mapping and other options.

3dscroll in 50 Excellent 3D Adobe Illustrator Tutorials

Related Posts

You may be interested in the following related posts:

(al)

Ronald Bien is a Web/graphic designer and a blogger. He is also a creative mind behind Naldz Graphics, a design blog of tutorials, freebies and resources. If you want to connect with the author, you can follow him on Twitter.

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  1. 1
    Eddy Munn
    June 16th, 2009 7:41 am

    Fantastic collection, I just recently got into using Illustrator!

  2. 2
    Vinod Batus
    June 16th, 2009 7:43 am

    Simply Brilliant!

  3. 3
    MaTYO
    June 16th, 2009 7:53 am

    Nice set of tutorials, good post!

  4. 4
    Ash
    June 16th, 2009 7:55 am

    Thanx a thousand time ! Very useful !

  5. 5
    8bitmag
    June 16th, 2009 7:59 am

    Thank you..Very useful resources for learning…

  6. 6
    dv
    June 16th, 2009 8:07 am

    in the past couple weeks i’ve seen dubstep and 4:20 references. sm rox.

    still my homepage.

  7. 7
    dgmartin
    June 16th, 2009 8:13 am

    LOL 4:20!!!! its weed time!!!! xD I LOVE SMASHING MAGAZINE!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!

  8. 8
    Paula
    June 16th, 2009 8:18 am

    :D nice list, but 3-D Blue LCD Alarm Clock’s tutorial should blend to a “how to make true reflexions” tutorial ;)

    :) this will improve a lot to illustrator beginners and enthusiasts

  9. 9
    SuicidalDreams
    June 16th, 2009 8:21 am

    very good (-: tnx

  10. 10
    N_Lite
    June 16th, 2009 8:37 am

    Amazing Tutorials! Thanks.

  11. 11
    John G.
    June 16th, 2009 8:47 am

    These are great tutorials for those looking to punch up their designs with a smattering of 3D. However, I use the 3D tools in Illustrator on an extremely limited basis. They are so clunky and frustrating.

    Eventually I turned to the free 3D app Blender to handle all my 3D needs. Yeah there was a (pretty steep) learning curve but man, the results can not be beat! My clients love what I’m able to do, and so will yours. I can even export the .obj from there and import it into photoshop (extended version) and paint on it!

    I use Illustrator daily at my job and in my own personal projects. It excels in so many areas, but I won’t use it for 3D. It’s just ugly…

  12. 12
    Chris Robinson
    June 16th, 2009 8:50 am

    Nice roundup, the “Rendering a 2D Spark Plug…” is a great tut I dig the style and techniques.

  13. 13
    dani_janev
    June 16th, 2009 8:58 am

    AWESOME…great…always wanted to collect more 3d illustrator tutorials….really helped me
    thanx A LOT !
    cheers

  14. 14
    matt
    June 16th, 2009 9:38 am

    I agree with post #11. I’ve played around with 3d objects in Illustrator and it’s extremely frustrating, it’s a resource hog too. Most of these objects are super basic and would take a matter of minutes to create in any 3d application. Just download one of the many “lifetime trial” versions off your favorite torrent site ;).

  15. 15
    DKumar M.
    June 16th, 2009 9:54 am

    Nice collection but i must say they are not fresh. Fresh means something which has been published recently. and half of the tutorials from this collection can be found on dozens of showcase sites as they are quite old. Still you got a good collection there.

    DKumar M.
    @instantshift

  16. 16
    Benedikt Roßgardt
    June 16th, 2009 9:56 am

    The most tutorials show the usage of the same functionalities – bevel and extrude. :-(

    The Military Cap and the Chinese Food Box are some of the best tutorials, I think.

  17. 17
    Mélane Lago
    June 16th, 2009 9:57 am

    This is really excellent! Thank you for sharing! :)

  18. 18
    shahib Amin
    June 16th, 2009 10:42 am

    good stuff really love this!

  19. 19
    nictoyking
    June 16th, 2009 5:06 pm

    this was a good tutorial i haven’t seen b4, its cool man~

    thank you

  20. 20
    Anrkist
    June 16th, 2009 5:24 pm

    I dabble with the 3D Tool from time to time… but it doesn’t beat real 3D software.

  21. 21
    Josh
    June 16th, 2009 8:14 pm

    This could be summed up with a single post about the 3D tool and how revolve + various lighting settings work.

    Not really fresh or interesting for anyone who has looked at the 3D tool ever.

  22. 22
    Brian Temecula
    June 16th, 2009 10:07 pm

    Nothing quite as grand as a fabulous illustration. I have the old CS2 Illustrator, and it has so many features. I can’t imagine having more.

  23. 23
    Dr. Manisha
    June 16th, 2009 10:59 pm

    really kool very nice representation of 3D ;)

  24. 24
    spritzstuhl
    June 17th, 2009 12:59 am

    Thank you so much for this! Now I need to get Adobe Illustrator..

  25. 25
    snnaqvi
    June 17th, 2009 1:00 am

    Great collection, really love it .

  26. 26
    anjhero
    June 17th, 2009 1:03 am

    AWE-SOM-O

  27. 27
    Sal Azad
    June 17th, 2009 1:15 am

    Thx for this great post.. :)

  28. 28
    NSFW
    June 17th, 2009 4:47 am

    NSFW Warning: If you are at work or in a similarly quiet environment, the 3-D Apple tutorial leads to a YouTube video with obnoxiously loud “music” playing in the background.

    Mute your speakers and your earphones if you want to avoid going deaf or suffering a synthetic drum-induced heart arrhythmia.

  29. 29
    paras
    June 17th, 2009 6:32 am

    awesome collection! thanks for contribution putting these. I just love 3D things.

  30. 30
    sean steezy
    June 17th, 2009 6:48 am

    Awesome, thanks for including my skate wheels from vector tuts! Some people are knocking illustrators 3D applications, but if you experiment with it, you will find its more than just making semi realistic 3D objects, but you can get abstract and create some awesome effects. Explore your vector illustration software’s 3D possibilities, that’s my advice to you 3D haters…

  31. 31
    AppleByte
    June 17th, 2009 2:41 pm

    Fantastic… Thanks for sharing this illustration showcase.

  32. 32
    shanty
    June 17th, 2009 3:56 pm

    Great!!! Fantastic Tutorials!!! Great Contribution!!!! i’m really happy whit the collection!!!

  33. 33
    Mario
    June 17th, 2009 5:34 pm

    Amazing collection.

    For anyone interested, some more can be found here: http://idesigntuts.com

  34. 34
    imaginer
    June 18th, 2009 7:30 am

    i for one loved the music ebbing from the apple tut =)

  35. 35
    Aleksandar Tasevski
    June 19th, 2009 12:00 am

    Awesome collection of tutorials. Thanks SM!

  36. 36
    kareemkarawia
    June 21st, 2009 12:10 am

    thanks alot for sharing

  37. 37
    Franck
    June 29th, 2009 10:19 am

    Amazing !

  38. 38
    ajit biswas
    July 1st, 2009 11:24 pm

    i am so lucky to found you.

  39. 39
    AVTAR SINGH DEOGAN
    July 2nd, 2009 12:33 am

    great hai ggggggggggggg

  40. 40
    Chao
    July 15th, 2009 3:18 pm

    Thanks a lot! Excellent work on gathering all these tutorials!

  41. 41
    Daniel Velasco
    July 17th, 2009 12:58 pm

    Jojojo ¡Excelente! voy a sacarle el jugo a todo este material :D. Yeah!

  42. 42
    hemant
    September 17th, 2009 7:38 pm

    really nice tutorials, these will improve my skills

  1. 00

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