- [Instructor] In Illustrator, we can create
three-dimensional letters using 3D extrude and bevel.
Here is my starting point.
I'll select my type,
and I can apply the extrude and bevel
either through the effect menu
or through the appearance panel.
Now I've actually already applied it.
I just currently have the effect hidden.
I'll turn it on to see the result.
If I click on the effect listed in the appearance panel,
we can see the settings that I applied.
So this is my extrude depth,
and I have also applied plastic shading.
You'll note that I am using a light gray color.
This is just so that I can see the dimension
that will result from applying the 3E extrude and bevel.
If you begin with black,
then you can't see the distinctions.
So I'm going to click OK to accept that.
Now, to take it to the next step,
I will need to expand the appearance.
Now this gives me a result that has way more shapes
than I need.
So I want to consolidate them and simplify the result.
I will need to come and release the clipping masks
that are part of the artwork currently.
Object clipping mask release.
Now to combine the shapes,
I will use the shape builder tool.
I'll choose the color that I want
for the face of the letter,
and then swipe over the segments
that will make up the letter.
Now, as I'm doing this, I want to make sure I
don't miss any small segments.
To help me, I am going to hide my edges
and I'm going to zoom in.
So I've now created a much simplified result
that uses just three colors over its different faces.