Applying a Gradient or Pattern to a 3D Object

[chava_maimon]

I have found issues when applying a gradient or pattern swatch to a revolved 3D object - it is causing certain shapes to change their shape dramatically and risks program crashes also. I can fix the issue by applying the gradient/pattern to a 2D shape and then converting it into a symbol and then mapping the symbol to the shape. However, I was hoping to understand this issue more - why the shapes are changing their shape? I have also seen a message in the 3D dialog that gradients will be rasterized, and I have used the rasterize process to fix issues with gradients on 3D objects also. I know rasterizing gradients is needed for applying to a brush, which I also never understood the reason for. Mainly, though, I was hoping to understand this more regarding 3D objects.

Thank you in advance!!

Chava

[Mylenium]

The long and short version likely is that those 3D function being 15 years old or something they are not up to snuff with newer functions in AI and may try to do stupid things like e.g. interpolating a (freeform) gradient's intermediate points due to interpreting it as a regular path. You could call it a bug if you want, others might call it an oversight on the programmer's part, some just call it garbage. The rest is inherent in how those functions work - they are infinitely complex blends and there is simply no way to predictably calculate intermediate colors if you haven't "baked" them first by rasterizing. Well, at least not given how this stuff works in AI in general, anyway. Unless someoen takes the time to rewrite this from the ground up to e.g. use gradient meshes to mimic the 3D illusion this won't change, so if you are having trouble, the old boring answer still applies: Optimize your input shapes and try to create those shading effects by hand whenever and wherever you can instead of relying on the internal interpolation.

Mylenium

[chava_maimon]

Dear Mylenium,

Thank you so much - this is very helpful! It also explains why even on Macs with a good amount of RAM, hard drive space, etc., 3D in Illustrator is still so inclined to crash even without gradients/patterns thrown in.

Chava

[Monika Gause]

If you can't do it in Illustrator, then try and do it in Cinema 4D. It's a full-blown 3D application, but vector export is only possible using the Sketch & Toon plugin. And still you can't get gradient rendered vector artwork out of it. So maybe, just maybe, this is so complicated, that you're just demanding too much?

[chava_maimon]

Dear Monika_Gause,

Sounds like I am indeed :). Thanks!

Chava