Quick Tip: How to Create a Vector Grass Text Effect

Follow this quick tip and learn how to create a simple grass text effect. We will use the Note Paper effect then with the help of the Live Trace options to obtain the vector shapes that we need. The Pucker & Bloat effect can be used successfully in this case to create a pretty realistic grass look. Let’s begin!

Step 1

First open a new web document. Take the Type Tool (T) and type the word "Grass" (or any word you would like to use). The font I’ve used is called Becker Black NF Regular, size of 150 pt and can be found here. Go to the Object menu and select Expand then Ungroup.

Step 2

Before you continue, Copy and Paste in back (Command + C then Command + B) all the letters because you will need them later. Hide them for the time being so that they won’t bother you. Now, focus on the first letter and having the original shape selected, go to Effect menu > Sketch and apply the Note Paper effect using the settings shown. Do the same thing for the other letters and when you are done select Expand Appearance from the Object menu.

Step 3

Next, having the first letter selected go to the Object menu > Live Trace and open the Tracing Options window. Set the values indicated then click Trace. As a result you will obtain a lot of tiny shapes as shown in the close-up and this is exactly what we need to create all the threads of grass. From the Object menu select Expand then repeat this step for the other four letters.

Step 4

If you take a closer look you will notice that there are some black shapes on the edges of the letters and you have to delete them. If you find small black shapes you can leave them, delete only the big ones otherwise after you apply the Pucker&Bloat effect the result will look strange.

Step 5

Now that you have all the letters cleaned up and ready, fill them with the linear gradient shown. You can also change the angle values if you want them to look a bit different.

Step 6

Select the first letter (actually the group of tiny shapes) go to Effect menu > Distort&Transform and apply the Pucker&Bloat effect. You can experiment different values at this point. If you drag the pointer up to the maximum value (-200%) the resulting grass threads will be a bit too long but try and see if you like it. I was happy with the result obtained by applying a value of minus 160%.

Step 7

At this step you need to make visible the copies of the letters made at the step 2. Change the fill color from black to dark brown then go to Effect menu > Stylize and apply the Feather effect. Do the same thing using the other four copies.

Step 8

To create the background, first draw a rectangle using the Rectangle Tool (M) behind the letters. Fill it with the linear gradient shown then go to the Appearance Panel and from the fly-out menu choose Add New Fill. Keep the same gradient then go to Effect menu > Sketch and apply the Note Paper effect to obtain an earthy look. Change the Blending mode to Soft Light and reduce the Opacity to 25% but only for this second fill.

Step 9

Let’s add some shadows. Select the dark brown letter "G" from the back (the same from step 7) then go to Effect menu > Stylize and apply the Drop Shadow effect using the values shown below. Do the same thing for the other four shapes in back.

Step 10

Next, open the Symbol Libraries menu from the Symbols Panel and find Ladybug in the Nature category then Daisy under Flowers. Drag them both into your working area and press the Break Link to Symbols button. First, put the ladybug on a letter anywhere you want. To add a discreet shadow under it, take the Ellipse Tool (L) and draw a small oval as shown in the close-up. Send it behind the ladybug, fill it with black then go to Effect menu > Blur and apply a 3 px Gaussian Blur.

Step 11

Now arrange the daisies anywhere you want then create the shadows behind them as you did at the previous step.

Conclusion

The grass text effect is ready and here is the final image, i hope you’ve enjoyed this tut.