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How to Create Dotted Surface Effects in Illustrator

Iaroslav Lazunov on Feb 12th 2010 with 25 comments
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In this tutorial we will learn to create abstract an compositions of dots. This will help you to create interesting effects for backgrounds. Let’s learn to simulate a surface of any complexity.

Final Image Preview

Below is one out of a handful of effects 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 CS3
  • Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
  • Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes

Step 1

Open a new document (800 by 800 pixels). We will start with learning to create a simple compositions of points. Create an ellipse without stroke and fill it with radial gradient.

Step 2

Now go to Effect > Pixelate > Color Halftone …, apply the settings you see below.

Step 3

Transform the image to the vector. Go to Object > Expand Appearance and press the Live Trace Button in the top panel. Then press the Expand Button.

Step 4

Now we can operate this as a conventional vector object. Fill our object with a linear gradient. Oops!

Step 5

You must delete the Compound Path in the layers box.

Step 6

We take the Gradient Tool (G) and adjust the gradient fill.

Step 7

Now go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Warp…, apply the settings you see below.

Step 8

We have an interesting effect!

Step 9

The effect can be applied to a blend. Take the Pen Tool (P) and create the form of an open hand.

Step 10

Now go to Object > Path > Offset Path…, apply the settings you see below.

Step 11

Select the top path and repeat the same operation with the settings shown below.

Step 12

Remove the middle path and fill the forms with one black and one gray.

Step 13

Go to Object > Blend > Make, apply the settings you see below.

Step 14

Now we repeat Step 2 and Object > Expand Appearance and go to Object > Live Trace > Tracing Options, then apply the settings you see below. Be sure to check the Ignore White checkbox. Now apply Object > Expand.

Step 15

Now we delete the defective dots.

Step 16

Above the hand create a rectangle. Select both shapes and make a crop using the Pathfinder crop tool.

Step 17

Fill the hand with a white color, add a blue background. Done!

Step 18

Now we will go with something more complex. Take the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a rectangle. Fill the rectangle with a linear gradient. Repeat the steps listed in Steps 2-3.

Step 19

Fill the objects with a linear gradient (do not forget to remove the Compound Path). In the future we will be able to edit the gradient. Rename the layer as “dots.”

Step 20

Now delete the defective dots.

Step 21

Now create a new layer named “template.” Now we will create a hexagon using the Polygon Tool and two guides. Rotate the guides with the Rotate Tool (R) as shown below. Lock the layer.

Step 22

Go to the layer “dots.” Use the Pen Tool (P) to create a shape on top of the template. Activating the Magnetic Guidelines (Command + U) will help you.

Step 23

Select the group of dots and create a shape, go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Top Object (Alt + Command + C). Then apply Object > Expand.

Step 24

Using the tool Rotate Tool (R), rotate and duplicate the shape. Rotate it around the center of the hexagon, while holding down the Alt key.

Step 25

Below the layer “dots” create a new layer called “BG.” Create a rectangle with a black fill without stroke. Lock the layer.

Step 26

Set up the gradient more subtly. Select each of the six shapes.

Step 27

Now group the six shapes (Command + G) and go to Object > Envelope Distort > Make with Mesh (Alt + Command + M). Apply the settings you see below.

Step 28

Distorts the grid of the mesh using the Direct Selection Tool (A). Then go to Object > Expand.

Step 29

Above the shape create a rectangle. Select both shapes and make a crop using the Pathfinder box.

Step 30

Change the size of the background and the size of the document (File > Document Setup). Align all objects.

Step 31

Now we will create a shadow on the surface. Create a rectangle the same size as the document. Fill the rectangle with radial gradient and change the blending modes in the palette of the Transparency.

Conclusion

You can use these techniques to create various surface effects of different complexity. The final image is below.

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By Iaroslav Lazunov

Rollover to read this author's bio or click through to see a full list of posts by this author.

My name is Iaroslav Lazunov, I am a graphic designer from Zhytomyr, Ukraine. I am glad that I finally found the job in my life that I can share my knowledge and experiments with you in my tutorials. Follow me on Twitter or visit my blog Vectorboom.  

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Discussion 25 Comments

  1. Simona says:
    February 12, 2010 at 11:33 am

    I like Step 31 :)

    Reply
  2. IVAN says:
    February 12, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    wow!
    lot’s of new techs here ;) ♥+

    Reply
  3. dynames says:
    February 12, 2010 at 12:36 pm

    Excelent

    Reply
  4. Janae says:
    February 12, 2010 at 12:59 pm

    Ah this is fantastic! I’ve had the hardest time trying to find a decent tutorial on halftone in general… Thank you!

    Reply
  5. margaret says:
    February 12, 2010 at 1:16 pm

    very helpful

    Reply
  6. RUGRLN says:
    February 12, 2010 at 1:52 pm

    Looks amazing! Greeat job!!!

    Reply
  7. Jose Gonzalez says:
    February 12, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    AWESOME!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  8. John Mindiola III says:
    February 12, 2010 at 4:50 pm

    ENVELOPE DISTORT! Yes! This is one of my favorite tools in Illustrator. It’s sorely underused, much like the Pathfinder panel. This post was AWESOME, as it focused more on techniques, not specific end results.

    The HALFTONE effect is classic. I love it. I’ve done this before, but this gave me some nice things to consider for next time.

    Reply
  9. marcoslhc says:
    February 12, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    One of the most useful tutorials in the vectortuts community!

    Reply
  10. Imon says:
    February 13, 2010 at 9:10 am

    look’s amazing great tutorial

    Reply
  11. Spilled Salt says:
    February 15, 2010 at 12:44 am

    Very useful techniques here! Can’t wait to apply them.

    Reply
  12. Iaroslav Lazunov says:
    February 15, 2010 at 6:04 am
    Author

    Thank you all for the good reviews.

    Reply
  13. robotfish says:
    February 15, 2010 at 8:51 am

    Thanks!

    Great tutorial

    Reply
  14. hitesh says:
    February 15, 2010 at 11:18 am

    this tuts gave lots of new tricks

    Reply
  15. Bloggerzbible says:
    February 16, 2010 at 8:40 pm

    ultimate effect

    Reply
  16. Dag Fredrik says:
    February 17, 2010 at 9:56 am

    18 – 31 perfect – thanks alot – it made my day (“,)

    Reply
  17. waheed elawad says:
    February 17, 2010 at 4:43 pm

    very Great work

    Reply
  18. Peter says:
    February 19, 2010 at 1:17 am

    Thanks for sharing this, I think I will give this one a go, great work

    Reply
  19. Signdude says:
    February 19, 2010 at 2:14 am

    Truly a beautiful effect.

    The only problem I had with the tut was after Step 4 & Step 5, both your image and mine showed each individual dot has a separate gradient rather than the entire object having one smooth gradient across it’s width. When I look at Step 6 your dots now have the smooth gradient, mine don’t.

    What am I missing?

    Thanks for the tut and any help.

    Reply
  20. Signdude says:
    February 20, 2010 at 12:44 am

    I noticed that you said “Oops” on step 4. After many more attempts from scratch I found that the “Compound Path” must be deleted BEFORE applying the Gradient. Everything works just fine from there.

    After Step 27 you can produce some wild effects by experimenting with the “Twirl” tool instead of “Envelope Distort” / “Make with Mesh”.

    Thanks again… beautiful work.

    Reply
  21. jmarreros says:
    February 22, 2010 at 8:04 pm

    Very Interesting, thanks Lazunov for the good work

    Reply
  22. sima says:
    April 1, 2010 at 11:31 am

    i was enable to have the dialogue box in step 3 :-( (( when i tried to Transform the image to a vector i dont know what is exactly the probleme, help me pleaaaaaaaaaaaaase…

    Reply
  23. will creare says:
    September 8, 2010 at 4:38 am

    WOW!! Love this tutorial. loads of interesting techniques, and the final result looks awesome. easy to follow and learned a lot. thanks.

    Reply
  24. auremimi says:
    December 9, 2010 at 11:59 pm

    Super tuto que j’aimerais réussir à faire, cependant je bloque à l’étape 3, je ne comprends pas ce que signifie “Transform the image to the vector. Go to Object > Expand Appearance and press the Live Trace Button in the top panel. Then press the Expand Button.” Mon anglais n’est pas très bon (et mon logiciel en français), du coup je ne dois pas traduire correctement et faire la bonne manipulation et je n’arrive pas à passer à la suite pour mettre de dégradé de couleur…est ce que je pourrais avoir plus d’explications?
    merci et bravo pr les tutos.

    “Great tuto that I would like to manage to make, however I block in the step 3, I do not understand what mean ” Transform the image to the vector. Go to Object > Expand Appearance and press the Live Trace Button in the top panel. Then press the Expand Button”. My English is not very good (and my illustrator is in French), of the blow I do not have to translate correctly and make the good manipulation and I do not manage to pass in the continuation to put of gradation of color… Could I have more explanations?
    Thank you and congratulations for our tutos

    Reply
  25. JoBeeOne says:
    January 13, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    Great tute – nice work. You can apply these methods to other patterns too. Well, gotta go play :)

    Reply

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