Extruding and beveling objects


    Extruding extends a 2D object along the object's z axis to add depth to the object. The object's z axis always lies perpendicular to the object's front surface and moves relative to the object if the object is rotated in a 3D Options dialog box.

    After extruding an object, you can cap or uncap the front and back of the shape to make the object look solid or hollow. In addition, you can add beveling properties to carve away from or add to the object's surface. For example, a bevel can be used to round off an edge or add facets to it. You can choose from a variety of installed bevels or create your own.

    Tip iconTo edit a 3D Extrude & Bevel effect you've already applied to an object, select the 3D object and then double-click the effect in the Appearance palette. (For information on using the Appearance palette, see Modifying and removing appearance attributes.)

    Extruded object with cap (top left) compared to no cap (top right); object without a bevel ed edge (bottom left) compared to object with a beveled edge (bottom right)
    Extruded object with cap (top left) compared to no cap (top right); object without a beveled edge (bottom left) compared to object with a beveled edge (bottom right)

To extrude a 2D object:

  1. Select the object.
  2. Choose Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel.
  3. To set the depth of the object, in the Extrude & Bevel section of the dialog box enter a value between 0 and 2000 in the Extrude Depth text box.
  4. Do one of the following:
    • To make the object appear solid, click the Extrude Cap On button Extrude Cap On button . The object's front and back capping faces display.
    • To make the object appear hollow, click the Extrude Cap Off button Extrude Cap Off button .
  5. To apply a beveled edge along the depth (z axis) of the object, choose a bevel from the Bevel menu. To create a custom bevel, see the next topic.
  6. Do any of the following:
    • To set the bevel height, either drag the pop-up slider or enter a number between 1 and 100 in the text box. Bevel heights that are too large for an object may cause the object to self-intersect and produce unexpected results.
    • To add the bevel to the object's original shape, click the Bevel Extent Out button Bevel Extent Out button .
    • To carve the bevel out of the object's original shape, click the Bevel Extent In button Bevel Extent In button .
  7. To set the Position, Surface or lighting options, see Rotating objects in 3D space, Applying surface shading to a 3D object, or Lighting an object.
  8. To preview the effect in the document window, select Preview.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Extruded object without a beveled edge (left) compared to object with Bevel Extent In (middle) and with Bevel Extent Out (right)
    Extruded object without a beveled edge (left) compared to object with Bevel Extent In (middle) and with Bevel Extent Out (right)

To add a custom bevel path to the Bevel menu:

  1. Open the Bevels.ai file located in the Adobe Illustrator Plug-ins folder.
  2. Create a single open path in the Bevels.ai file.
  3. Choose Window > Symbols, and do one of the following to make the path a symbol:
    • Drag the path to the Symbols palette.
    • With the path selected, click the New Symbol button New Symbol button in the Symbols palette or choose New Symbol from the palette menu.

    For information on symbols, see Drawing with symbols.

  4. To rename the symbol, double-click the symbol in the Symbols palette, enter a name in the Symbol Options dialog box, and click OK.
  5. Choose File > Save.
  6. Quit Illustrator and then relaunch Illustrator.
  7. The Bevel menu in the 3D Extrude & Bevel Options dialog box lists the bevel.

  8. To apply the custom bevel, do one of the following:
    • To apply the bevel to an extruded 3D object, select the 3D object, and then double-click the 3D Extrude & Bevel effect in the Appearance palette. In the 3D Extrude & Bevel Options dialog box, choose the bevel from the Bevel menu.
    • To apply the custom bevel to 2D artwork, select the 2D object, and then choose Effect > 3D > Extrude & Bevel. In the 3D Extrude & Bevel Options dialog box, choose the custom bevel from the Bevel menu.