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How to Create a Caramel Ripple Effect

Sep 1st in Effects by Saurabh Sharma

In this tutorial, we will create a hot chocolate caramel effect using some distort tools and the 3D revolve tool. This is a simple and effective technique to obtain a quality vector ripple effect quickly. Here we go!

PG

Author: Saurabh Sharma

Freelance graphic designer with a strong passion for Logo designing.

Final Image Preview

Below is the final image we will be working towards. Want access to the full Vector Source files and downloadable copies of every tutorial, including this one? Join Vector Plus for just 9$ a month.

Tutorial Details

  • Program: Adobe Illustrator
  • Version: CS3
  • Difficulty: Intermediate
  • Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Create a new document of approximately 600px by 580px size. Next, with the Line Segment Tool (backslash), draw a line of 600px length and stroke it with CMYK values: C=40, M=65, Y=100, and K=35.

Step 2

Select the line and go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Zig Zag. Enter the values as shown in red below. This will make a wave like effect as seen in liquids.

Step 3

The waves generated in a liquid vanish as they move outwards. For this, we will use some distortion. Select the line and go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Warp (Alt + Shift + Command + W). In the Warp Options, select the Fish effect with 50% bend. This will make the desired wave with vanishing ends.

Step 4

Select the wave and expand it using Object > Expand.

Step 5

Next, we will add a drop bounce effect. With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the first anchor and drag it upward. With the Add Anchor Point Tool (+), add a couple of anchor points and adjust the handles to get the result shown below. You will see a King Cobra like anatomy. Keep a backup copy of this figure as we will use it later for the reflection.

Step 6

The base for our caramel effect is ready. Next, select the figure and go to Effect > 3D > Revolve. Click on More Options and enter the values as shown in the red regions below.

Step 7

Now we will add some reflection to the bouncing drop. Grab the backup copy of Step 5 and reflect it horizontally using Object > Transform > Reflect. Next, delete the region shown in red using the Direct Selection Tool (A).

Step 8

Select the reflected figure and go to Effect > 3D > Revolve. Enter the same values as in Step 6. Change the Shading Color to Custom and assign a white shadow.

Step 9

Position the shadow graphic in line with the bouncing drop. Next, adjust its Transparency to 20% and reduce its height to match with the perspective of the overall graphic.

After suitable positioning of the shadow, the final caramel effect will look like the one below.

Conclusion and Scope

The techniques covered in this tutorial are an effective use of built in Illustrator Tools. The Zig Zag, Warp and the Revolve Tool yields the ripple effect in less time and effort.

Below is a water ripple effect that I have created using the same technique. A mixed use of distort and warp options often yields creative results. We just need to experiment with them. I hope you enjoyed this quick and easy tutorial.


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User Comments

( ADD YOURS )
  1. PG

    devDsine September 1st

    yummy!! :)
    nicely done
    final image looks awesome

    ( Reply )
  2. PG

    Mghmg September 1st

    nice effect

    ( Reply )
  3. PG

    Listoric September 1st

    Wow, after I’ve seen the picture, I really thought this is harder to accieve than it actually is.

    Nice post!

    ( Reply )
  4. PG

    Ser1 September 1st

    That was great!

    ( Reply )
  5. PG

    Jesse Flores September 1st

    crazy… It’s cool

    ( Reply )
  6. PG

    Stanley Parrish September 1st

    wow! that’s a great idea. Never thought about it

    ( Reply )
  7. PG

    Cheryl September 1st

    Very cool. Such a complex image, achieved with simple techniques!

    ( Reply )
  8. PG

    Ressa September 1st

    Is this sugar free caramel? JK, great job on the tutorial.

    ( Reply )
  9. PG

    Simon September 1st

    That is ridiculously simple. I wasn’t even aware that was at all possible in photoshop.

    Wait, why do we need 3D rendering programs?

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      Simon September 1st

      And when I say photoshop, of course I mean Illustrator

      ( Reply )
  10. PG

    Tia L. Bradford September 1st

    Fantastic! Thank you.

    ( Reply )
  11. PG

    Jefffster83 September 1st

    Woohoo! Can’t wait to get home from work and try it! Thanks!

    ( Reply )
  12. PG

    Diesel Laws September 1st

    I agree. Awesome tut. Very simple but the final image is 3d quality. Much respect!

    ( Reply )
  13. PG

    Theo Hodkin September 1st

    Not sure it takes 30 minutes, but it’s still quite nice. The 3D effect is pretty straightforward and simple, though. Maybe this will be useful for beginners?

    ( Reply )
  14. PG

    canciller September 1st

    >:O

    ( Reply )
  15. PG

    bran September 1st

    how easy was that?! haha i was like omg this will be a hard tut, but actually its one of the easiest haha

    ( Reply )
  16. PG

    David Moreen September 1st

    Yes, Tutsplus please send out more of these type of photoshop tutorials! I love them so much. It’s no fun taking stock photos and making something. Although this will help me a great deal, thanks!

    ( Reply )
    1. PG

      David Moreen September 1st

      Damn, scratch that I thought this was at PSDTuts. Regardless what I said was in the moment and I meant it the effect is still cool, I just thought for some reason I was at psd tuts.

      ( Reply )
  17. PG

    Thierry September 1st

    Wow… why I didn’t think about it before ;-) .. Genius

    ( Reply )
  18. PG

    Marcos Cortes (Dominican Republic) September 1st

    great effect man amazing!!! learning a lot …

    ( Reply )
  19. PG

    Vineed September 2nd

    good piece

    ( Reply )
  20. PG

    Atena September 2nd

    damn!….this tuts rocksssss!! ^_^

    thx :)

    ( Reply )
  21. PG

    Andrea Austoni September 2nd

    Very ingenious techniques! Thanks for the great insight.

    ( Reply )
  22. PG

    umerzafar September 2nd

    yum yum yum.. super candy tiptorial (<—new word ) ….nicely done

    ( Reply )
  23. PG

    Tricia September 2nd

    Thanks for this and the timing couldn’t have been better – I’ve just got a client wanting a ripple effect and I was wondering how I was going to tackle it. Would never have thought to use such simple effects. Obviously time I explored the effects menu! Looks great!

    ( Reply )
  24. PG

    rory September 2nd

    Damn, I could eat it all up!
    Great tutorial very simple to follow, and a great final image.
    Thank you for making me hungry.

    ( Reply )
  25. PG

    Simona September 2nd

    Fantastic tut!!! I love it, great use of the 3d tools.

    ( Reply )
  26. PG

    Joey September 2nd

    Pretty simple! One thing is that the reflection is not following the ripple path. Could have been nice but anyway, great one!

    ( Reply )
  27. PG

    Diego SA September 2nd

    Hmmm, so yummy! got hungry!
    Looks something very complex to do but actually it’s very easy. 3D tools are always useful and great!
    Thanks a lot!

    ( Reply )
  28. PG

    Tayfun Ozturkmen September 2nd

    Great tute. This kind of effect is always popular in packaging design.

    ( Reply )
  29. PG

    joel September 2nd

    nice…

    ( Reply )
  30. PG

    GTP Designs September 3rd

    Wow. Great technique! Nicely done.

    ( Reply )
  31. PG

    redehlert September 3rd

    Slick looking, easily followed and easily implemented. Bravo!

    ( Reply )
  32. PG

    shelly September 7th

    superb..mind blowing technique …great job…i love it …yummy!!!!!!!! :)

    ( Reply )
  33. PG

    Omishe September 7th

    Good Job!!!

    Thanks for the inspiration.

    ( Reply )
  34. PG

    shijo September 13th

    i din’t know this ,super effect…
    thank u…

    ( Reply )
  35. PG

    basith September 30th

    its cool my frnd

    ( Reply )
  36. PG

    Emile October 5th

    amazing TUT

    ( Reply )
  37. PG

    Shaii October 6th

    Ahhh, I loved doing this, no frustration, ^_^

    Thanks for an awesome tutorial!

    ( Reply )
  38. PG

    Ghada October 14th

    Looks pretty delicious…oops, sorry I mean realistic :D . Thanks a Million for that tutorial.

    ( Reply )
  39. PG

    dja October 21st

    two thumbs up…

    ( Reply )
  40. PG

    Pop Ovidiu sebastian October 21st

    Great tutorial. I think it is of the few tutorial that really help

    ( Reply )
  41. PG

    Donald October 31st

    Dang, I wish I stumbled on this earlier, I could have used it instead of trying to make it in photoshop.

    ( Reply )
  42. PG

    ellie November 12th

    i love it!!! thanks you soooo much!!!

    ( Reply )
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