Download Source Files
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!
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
Video Tutorial
Cheryl Graham created this video tutorial to compliment this text + image tutorial.
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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yummy!! :)
nicely done
final image looks awesome
nice effect
Wow, after I’ve seen the picture, I really thought this is harder to accieve than it actually is.
Nice post!
That was great!
crazy… It’s cool
wow! that’s a great idea. Never thought about it
Very cool. Such a complex image, achieved with simple techniques!
Is this sugar free caramel? JK, great job on the tutorial.
That is ridiculously simple. I wasn’t even aware that was at all possible in photoshop.
Wait, why do we need 3D rendering programs?
And when I say photoshop, of course I mean Illustrator
Fantastic! Thank you.
Woohoo! Can’t wait to get home from work and try it! Thanks!
I agree. Awesome tut. Very simple but the final image is 3d quality. Much respect!
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?
>:O
how easy was that?! haha i was like omg this will be a hard tut, but actually its one of the easiest haha
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!
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.
Wow… why I didn’t think about it before ;-).. Genius
great effect man amazing!!! learning a lot …
good piece
damn!….this tuts rocksssss!! ^_^
thx :)
Very ingenious techniques! Thanks for the great insight.
yum yum yum.. super candy tiptorial (<—new word ) ….nicely done
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!
Damn, I could eat it all up!
Great tutorial very simple to follow, and a great final image.
Thank you for making me hungry.
Fantastic tut!!! I love it, great use of the 3d tools.
Pretty simple! One thing is that the reflection is not following the ripple path. Could have been nice but anyway, great one!
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!
Great tute. This kind of effect is always popular in packaging design.
nice…
Wow. Great technique! Nicely done.
Slick looking, easily followed and easily implemented. Bravo!
superb..mind blowing technique …great job…i love it …yummy!!!!!!!! :)
Good Job!!!
Thanks for the inspiration.
i din’t know this ,super effect…
thank u…
its cool my frnd
amazing TUT
Ahhh, I loved doing this, no frustration, ^_^
Thanks for an awesome tutorial!
Looks pretty delicious…oops, sorry I mean realistic :D. Thanks a Million for that tutorial.
two thumbs up…
Great tutorial. I think it is of the few tutorial that really help
Dang, I wish I stumbled on this earlier, I could have used it instead of trying to make it in photoshop.
i love it!!! thanks you soooo much!!!
what a tutorials ? really tutors
Thanks…..!
greate
Great tutorial, love the final image. Out of curiosity though, did anyone else have issues with it chewing up system resources and crashing Illustrator 1/2 way through?
Specs = 3GHz E8800 CPU, 3.25GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD 3450. Would have thought this was capable of running this tut, but alas…
If anyone else has come across this and beaten it into submission, I would really love to know how you did it.
This is AMAZING! it looks so realistic! Thanks!
Wow! This one was fast. Great tut!
I only have a little problem with the reflextion. It’s too bright in my try. I thought maybe I need some other blending option than normal, but I can’t get the reflextion effect looking the same way.
Cheers,
Alice