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Participant
June 23, 2022
Question

Expand 3D object without rasterization?

  • June 23, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 3646 views

Is there a way to Object/Expand the new 3D and Materials effects to a vector object? All I'm getting is a raster, which is no good. I want to recolor and adjust parts of the 3D object after the fact. A raster image is useless.

 

With the old "3D Classic" effects you could expand the effect to get a vector equivalent. It wasn't perfect but  it would output the simulated 3D effect in vector shapes you could then work with as needed. Even if you had to merge a few pieces, it was perfect if you wanted an accurate 3D perspective or extrude effect but also wanted to manipulate the color, gradient or shading of the various surfaces inpendently. This was ideal for creating stylish, cleaner 3D effects without any unwanted extra shading or gradients.

 

With the new 3D and Materials (which I assume will completely displace the "Classic" version eventually) all I get is a raster image when I try to expand it. This feels like a major step backwards. It would be nice to at least have the option for how we want to expand the object.

 

Am I missing something? Is there a setting somewhere? Is there a way to expand without rasterization with the updated 3D effects?

This topic has been closed for replies.

4 replies

Participating Frequently
December 6, 2023

I am having this same issue. What a major flaw for illustrator. I need to revolve logos for sign renderings, and it just makes a blurry raster version, so not only can I not change the color, it is low quality/ugly. Illustrator should stay vector.

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
December 6, 2023

If you need logos for sign rendering,then use the Classic effects.

Raytracing is a raster based process. The new materials are inherently raster based. It is not possible to generate that as vector artwork.

Participant
November 16, 2023

Illustrator 2024 is a complete disaster, a collection of mistakes. This rasterization in a vector program makes NO sense at all. 

What were these people thinking?! Not to mention the ungrouping nightmare....Hard to believe they put this out. 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 16, 2023

@BrunoAMC  schrieb:

Illustrator 2024 is a complete disaster, a collection of mistakes. This rasterization in a vector program makes NO sense at all. 

What were these people thinking?! Not to mention the ungrouping nightmare....Hard to believe they put this out. 


 

So many raster effects in the application. So what's the problem with this one?

The classic 3D effects are still there and you can use them. Just go ahead with it.

 

And the Ungrouping - you might want to elaborate. Preferably in a new thread.

Community Expert
June 23, 2022

Hi LangeDsn,

look into Illustrator UserVoice. The 3D feature is in constant development.

You can do your own feature requests or add your voice to a feature requests. You could report bugs as well:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/

 

More specific:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/935607-illustrator-features-coming-soon/suggestions/44741965-3d-and-materials-new-feature-map-art-and-other-fe

 

Or get more involved and join Illustrator Prerelease:

How to Join Creative Cloud Prerelease Programs
Erin Finnegan, Oct 18, 2019, UPDATE July 24th, 2020

https://medium.com/adobetech/how-to-join-creative-cloud-prerelease-programs-ccecc10ae7d3

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender
( Adobe Community Professional )

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
Community Expert
June 23, 2022

It is not posible to expand the new 3D without rasterization. I suppose you could use Image Trace to convert the raster object to vector. 

Hopefully, the Classic version will not be replaced because, after all, Illustrator is supposed to be a vector program.