3D can't convert to shapes in 2023

[NotiriousHDP]

I often need to do a 3D extrusion in Illustrator, which I then do 'expand appearance' on. This turns the 3D into a series of individual shapes that I can ungroup and take apart. I notice this doesn't work anymore in Illustrator 2023. Any tips? Thank you!

[Ton Frederiks]

Which 3D effect are you using?

The 3D & Materials or the 3D (Classic)?

[Anshul_Saini · Accepted solution]

Hi @NotiriousHDP,

Thanks for reaching out. This can be done using the "3D (Classic)" under 3D & material sub-menu.

Feel free to reach out if you need further assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Regards,
Anshul Saini

[NotiriousHDP]

Got it - I was trying to extrude a shape I'd made in the 3d Palette - that's where it wouldn't extrude from.

[Anshul_Saini]

Glad to hear that you figured it out, @NotiriousHDP. Please feel free to reach out if you run into any other issues or queries in future. We'd be happy to help.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[crabtree333]

This seems crazy that you've made the feature WORSE, and you have to go back to a 'classic version' to get a better experience. Once again, Adobe baffles me.

[Anshul_Saini · Accepted solution]

Hi @crabtree333 & @NotiriousHDP,

Thanks for reaching out. This is not the experience we want you to have. The New 3D feature uses complex effects like materials, ray tracing, etc., which limits its expanding & editing capabilities outside the 3D & Materials panel.

However, we have tried to provide as much customization as possible under the "3D and material" panel > properties & Lightning section.

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Here are three outcomes of expanding new 3D objects:

• Expand appearance to get a Raster image
  
  
  
  
• Redner as a vector under 3D & Material render settings, then expand appearance, but the output would be a non-editable vector. But it will be more suitable for printing or scaling objects than a raster image.
  
  
• Expand as wireframes from 3D & Materials panel > Object > Expand as Wireframes.
  
  

Please feel free to reach out if you run into any other queries. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Anshul Saini

[Anna30072477avru]

Thank you so much for this reply, took me ages to find it, but glad I came across your answer 😄