__Can I make a 3D illustration of a machine, with several parts, but using different colors/bevels

[Hugh Betcha]

I am trying to do an illustration in Ai (I don't have time or ability to do it in a dedicated 3D program), and I'm wondering: can I maintain the perspective with different colored/bevelled objects?

I want to start with simple shapes, like circles, and extrude them to cylinders etc.

I did the Target reference in an older version of Ai, and it took a ton of work, basically duplicated all components multi times to apply new colors...

[Monika Gause]

The long answer is no.

You could somehow fake it. Build the base artwork using 3D effects. Then expand it to vector paths and then use gradients to fake the beveling and details.

[Ton Frederiks · Accepted solution]

If you want to expand the 3D effect, don't use the newer 3D and Materials, because, as you have noticed, they make a mess when you expand the them.

Use the 3D Classic and edit the results after expanding.