How to Create a 3D Marker in Illustrator
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There are many ways to create a marker in Adobe Illustrator, but this might be one of the quickest. It only takes three paths, some text for the imprint and a 3D effect to create a semi-realistic and freely rotatable marker. So let’s get started!
Final Image Preview
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Tutorial Details
- Program: Adobe Illustrator CS3
- Difficulty: Beginner
- Estimated Completion Time: 30 minutes
Below is the final image we will be working towards.
Step 1
Use the Pen Tool (P) to draw the following path. You will need it for the marker itself as well as for its cap. Set the Width to approximately 5 mm and the Height to approximately 12 mm.
Step 2
Use the Convert Anchor Point Tool (Shift + C) to round the two corners as seen below.
Step 3
Duplicate your path (drag it to the side while pressing the Alt key). Then use the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the two lower Anchor Points of the duplicated path and stretch the shape to a Length of approximately 70 mm.
Step 4
Use the Pen Tool (P) to draw the tip of the marker. The Height is approximately 20 mm. Select both elements of the marker and group them (Command + G).
Step 5
Select the cap (the first path), place it next to the tip of the marker and flip it horizontally (Object > Transform > Mirror).
Step 6
Select the Add Anchor Points Tool (+) and add two new Anchor Points to the path: one at the left side and one at the top. Then use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to move the upper-left Anchor Point as seen below.
Step 7
Remove all outlines and fill the shaft of your marker with a light gray (K=10) and the tip and cap with red.
Step 8
Use a black and bold Sans-serif font for the text of the imprint. You could even add additional elements like a barcode if you want. Placing it vertically and adjusting its size at this stage is useful.
Step 9
Group (Command + G) all elements of the imprint and drag and drop it into the Symbols Palette to create a new symbol.
Step 10
Select the cap of your marker and revolve it (Effects > 3D > Revolve). Activate the preview and rotate it.
Step 11
Now select your marker and revolve it too (Effects > 3D > Revolve). After you rotated the marker press the Map Art Button. This will open a new window.
Activate the preview and click through the surfaces. Once the red grid of the desired surface is shown, select the imprint symbol from the left drop-down menu. Click the OK buttons to close the windows again.
Step 12
Once the marker is finished, select the Brush Tool (B) and draw a red line. Place it behind the marker (Object > Arrange > Send to Back) and open the Brushes Palette (Window > Brushes). Click on the icon for a New Brush and create a Calligraphic Brush. You can experiment with the settings, but I recommend choosing an almost round brush with little random values.
Step 13
If you want to put the cap on the marker, just replace it in the 2D view. Make sure to leave a small gap between the marker and its cap and group all three parts of the marker (shaft, tip and cap) before applying the 3D effect.
Conclusion
The final image is below and have fun creating your own markers.
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By Mac Krebernik
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So simple, yet so effective.
Yeah Simple , Nice tuorial
so nice
Wow! Such a simple process but great results. THX!
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Excellent!
I just say wow, that simple forms and that fantasic result.
You really showed me the power of the 3D effect in Illustrator!
Really realistic markers
At First shot I thought, they are going to make a vector like this photograph 
http://smashingwebs.com/
ha ha German screenshots.
I wasn’t aware how 3D was used, but this tut really clears things up!
very simple! and so realistic!
nice tut
superfast!
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Awesome tutorial! I especially like the cap. This is a great example of how to use the 3D Effect in Illustrator.
Thanks for sharing.
awesome tutorial but eets in German, some folks might get problems lol
Simple and good
Wow it’s really cool
and easy to understand.
I did try one myself and i liked it a lot.
Thank you
Seriously, I’m sick of people promoting their sites on posts. It is like, OOOOW, Very nice, check out my site!
Sorry for the OT.
Thank you for your wonderful tutorial! If it is possible, please answer my question, which I had already asked to the editors of this splendid site, but, unfortunately, there were no answers. Maybe, because of some problems in my e-mail services. I don’t know. As I very like this your work, I decided to ask you, if you are not against, of course. Please let me know about your opinion. May I use your tutorial (and the tutorials from this site) to do my own pictures (which naturaly will resemble tutsplus’ ones) and sell them (my pictures) to other people? May I do this with the help of microstocks (Fotolia, Dreamstime, Istockphoto, Shutterstock and others)? Please understand me rightly. It is better to ask before making and selling then after! Thank you, in advance, for your answer! And thank you for the tutorial again.
Hi Alexander!
I just started to sell on microstock sites myself and submitted my artwork. So resubmitting identical illustrations would result in rejections and could even cause you troubles concerning copyright violation.
Since my tutorials are meant to share certain techniques and show how to use adobe illustrator, you can reproduce my samples for your learning purpose. Feel free to use any of the techniques to create your own illustrations, but please do not sell duplicated artwork.
Mac
Wow, great tutorial! I had no idea you could make such 3D objects in Illustrator
http://www.swfcabin.com/open/1264341806
Excellent
Every time I try and make the marker 3D it freezes while doing the “progress”