Gradient Mesh in Illustrator.

[Liam]

hi everyone, i was just delveing in to the gradient mesh in illustrator and was wondering which is the best route to take when making 3d looking graphics using the gradient mesh.

A. you draw the outline of the object, then apply color and gradient mes over the top once the outline is complete.

or

B. you start a new gradient mesh from scratch using maybye a simple path that you manipulate.

which is the best way, A or B

please let me know, any other kewl gradient mesh tips would be helpful thanks

LIAM

[TBdesign]

Use the blend tool instead of the gradient mesh, You can use the mesh, but you have alot more freedom with blending, take a look at
graphicdesignforum.com/default.aspx?f=15&m=102127
these are all drawing in Illustrator, done with blend tool.

[TBdesign]

As for the question your asking, both will work it is all going to depend on the piece you are doing.

[Liam]

hmmm, well maybye i will push the mesh tool aside and start learning to use the blend. i would be interested to see the outlines, it seems like it would be very complicated using the bend tool, one of my ultimate goals would be to draw a realistic looking human face. Is the blend tool harder to use. i am still kind of an Illustrator noob, but any advice would be helpful.
thx
LIAM

[TBdesign]

It is pretty easy to use. It is alot of pen tool. And following your shapes.
Kind of hard to explain. If I have more time Sometime I might be able to help with a tuorial or something. I will post the outlines for yah in the showcase.

[Liam]

thx man , i appreciate it
LIAM

[TBdesign]

here is a quick basic run down of blends on text. Im not gonna have time to do a tutorial on ym own time.

www.wowwebdesigns.com/power_guides/3d_text/

If you keep the blended text the same color then copy and paste in front and make that a different color, you can get a better 3D shadow effect

This tutorial is just the basic, but it works just like this on just about everything.
When you start piecing together your first piece just get the blends to match up nice and work with the pen tool alot.

Post Edited (TBdesign) : 1/25/2005 9:50:37 PM GMT

[TBdesign]

the outlines are posted for you to, some are kind fo hard to see, but you will see better once you start doing it on your own.

[Liam]

thx, ill take a look, them outline look really complex but ill start simple and maybye work my way up. thanx for the tips, and the tutorial link, i think i will start out w/ text then go from there
LIAM

[Alias]

Mesh in Illustrator, just like strange pen effects cause lots of printing problems - you will never know what you get. I never use that!