That Candy-like Appearance

Hi guys,


Who wants to share their experience and wisdom?


I see a LOT of illustrations with effects that look like they originated with transparencies, but in fact are skillfully created to look like transparencies. I find that I can achieve a good end result with transparencies, but it involves untangling a mess of open paths and other quirks that manifest.


So in terms of buttons, glossy design elements, and so forth, I was wondering if someone might want to share some tricks with us. Even, dare I say, a tutorial?

I've always gone with the untangling the open paths method myself.

By the way chris, my wife was laughing at your nickname.

I used the Divide option on the Pathfinder pallette to create transparent effect before william park showed us the link to the close path script. It's in this forum somewhere. I couldn't find it.


 


Suppose I might want to explain what you use it for, huh?  When you use divide on two overlapping objects, if the bottom one has a gradient on it and the top one is not filled the top one will have the same gradient centering and all of the bottom shape.  Then you can change the colors on the gradient without losing the exact postion of the gradient.  If that makes no sense I will try a tutorial, if you want one.  It is how I did these eyes.


 

(Edited on 2007-09-21 17:00:30 by TiffanyHinnen)

Those eyes are absolutely stunning! I could probably take it from here (that close paths script sounds awesome), but I would absolutely love a tutorial just to get there from here quicker. Those eyes are really amazing!

Toss in my vote for a tutorial


  ~ Glory ~

WOW!!!! These are amazing!!!!

I'm working on the tutorial.  Almost finished.  Have some sick people here I'm nursing back to health, so bear with me.

This tutorial does not use the script mentioned earlier.  The script would be used after flattening a transparency to close the shapes.  I have written it using Illustrator CS on a PC, so your screen will NOT look the same on mac or other versions of Illustrator.  I hope you enjoy this tutorial, but if you do, please don't upload eyes sets like mine (or any eyes sets! ) to any stock sites.


Create a circle and apply the gradient you want.  Use global swatches in your gradient if you plan on changing the colors later.  Duplicate the circle onto another layer and lock/hide the bottom one (You'll need it later).  Add the shape you want to subtract to the front of the active layer.  Be sure it is not filled.  A stroke is ok and will help you see the shape.  Now, select both shapes and use the Divide option on the Pathfinder Pallette.





While the divided shape is selected, Go to the menu bar and select Ungroup from the Object Menu.  Delete away any unwanted parts.  I usually just shift + click the shape I want to keep and press the delete key to remove the rest.  It should look something like this:





Select your shape and go to the Gradient palette and adjust the inner color to what suits you.  I dragged it a little to the right.  (You may want to show the other layer if it has been hidden.)  You should now have the iris done.





Next, create the reflection on a new layer making another circle/elipse and applying a gradient.  I used a gradient that blends the inner color of the iris to a lighter tint like 10% or less.  Copy the jagged iris shape you just made in the previous steps and paste it in front of the reflection.  Lock/hide the old layers, again.  Select the new jagged iris shape and Remove the gradient and add a stroke like before.  Select both shapes and repeat what you did with the iris. (dividing, ungrouping and deleting)  Adjust the gradient to look convincing.  (May want to unhide layers here, if hidden) Whew... almost done!





Now lastly add the pupil.  You can do the same steps to it, like I did to add the reflection to it.  Can't really see it in the slit, but a human pupil would show the reflection on the black pupil as well and the iris.  And, there you go!  One shiny glass eye.

Thanks a lot! I'll be putting that into action on series I'm planning needing lots of glossy/reflective effects. Very helpful!

You're welcome.  Looking forward to seeing what you make.

More of the same eye sets I did the same way.


 


 

Wow, super job and thanks so much for the tutorial, I gotta go through it!

Awasome Tutorial!!!
Thankyou sooooooo much Tiffany!!! =0)

Thankyou Tiffany...love those eyeballs!

Fascinating tutorial Tiffany. Thanks for sharing your technique

/
/No problem. I know there are others ways to do the same thing like using Trim on the Pathfinder palette, but I think Divide works the best with multiple or complex shapes. Just my preference. I use it to get my gradients just where I want them.



Edited to say:  I will use this technique until Adobe wakes up and puts more gradient editing features in AI.

Anyone else have any tips or tutorials to add?

(Edited on 2007-09-22 11:20:06 by TiffanyHinnen)

Thanks Tiffany,
That's a terrific tutorial!!
Could you answer a question for me? Can we use transparancies or does one convert that before uploading?
For example: a shadow that goes over various colors and shapes?

I appreciate the advise.

I believe no transparency on iStock.  AI8 didn't have those kind of effects and doesn't support them.  Have to flatten it and close the messy paths.

Very nice tutorial, Tiffany. I like your style.