Skills: Master grids, Use the 3D Extrude tool effectively, Shade 3D objects
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We normally work to an unwritten formula when we do
isometric work. We keep things as simple and accurate as possible by
using a grid and working with colour guides to keep the icons in the
same shade and tint.
Over the following steps, we’ll walk through how to create
isometric icons that you can build up into a 3D custom map or cityscape
image. Once you get the hang of drawing the simplest shapes in this
isometric style, you can draw just about anything.
Step 01
The first thing to do is find a good reference image of the element that you are trying to draw. Next, open Illustrator
and make a grid: we use a blend of lines at 30° and -30° and then go to
View>Make Guides. This helps to keep everything at the correct
angles for your final scene.
Step 02
Next, draw a rectangle. Using the 3D
Extrude tool is a quick and easy way to get your rectangle into an
isometric shape. You can play with the settings like Extrude Depth to
get it looking how you want. We turn Surface to No Shading, as we prefer
to do this ourselves.
Step 03
Now go to Object>Expand Appearance. This makes it easier
to work with the shapes. Use your grid if you need make the shape longer
or taller.
Step 04
After selecting your colour palette, add colour. Make sure
you consider where your light source is. As a rule, we normally make the
top part of an element the lightest, with the right-hand side one shade
darker.
Step 05
Use smart guides to be more accurate – this will
particularly help when you draw the stroke around your objects. We
normally do the darkest shade around the entire image and then a much
lighter shade for the highlights. Keep your dark outside stroke on the
top layer, otherwise the lighter highlights will overlap.
Step 06
Now start to add the really tiny details, making sure you
adhere to your colour guide. Duplicate your first stroke here and make
it two or so shades lighter (although not lighter than your main
highlights).
Step 07
A tip for when you’re adding the details is that using Round
Corners (Effects>Stylize) is a quick way to add curves while still
keeping it isometric.
Step 08
For the disc entrance, we drew a rounded rectangle and used the 3D
Extrude tool. For a flat shape like this, turn the Extrude Depth to 0.
Expand the shape, add colour and a stroke around the element as you did
before.
Step 09
We created the blue light by adding a Linear gradient at 0°.
Make both swatches the same shade of blue but drag the opacity of the
right swatch down to 0.
Step 10
To draw the remote, make a rounded rectangle and play with the corner radius setting.
Step 11
Once you have your rounded rectangle, use the 3D Extrude
tool to extrude the shape. Again, expand and colour – as in the previous
steps.
Step 12
For smaller details like the circles here, repeat the
process we already outlined, playing with the position options to get
them at the right angle.
Step 13
To add the button detail, use a stroke with a tapered edge. This makes the shape look a lot smoother.
Step 14
The last bit of detail on the remote is the cross button
Draw it flat and extrude the shape then add colours and shading as
before. Now you can create the rest of the elements in your city
individually, pasting each icon into the final scene on a new layer. Don't forget to check out our Adobe Illustrator CS6 review.
