Envelope distort question.

[christianb5949572]

Hi!

Does anyone know how to reproduce the effect of the typography shadow in this image?

I assume it's possible with Envelope distort, but I just can't succeed.

Thanks!

[rcraighead]

Thought projecting a symbol onto an 3d Extrusion might work, but not sure how to force the "Step" planes to be scene as one projection surface. Maybe someone else knows.

This is a quick effort using Mesh Distortion. It is doable, but tedious:

If you try this make sure to set Mesh Distortion "Fidelity" to 100%.

[christianb5949572]

Wow! Good job! Thank you so much!

Would you mind sharing your document with me?

Thanks!

[rcraighead]

Dropbox - StairsOnSteps.ai

Contains "Envelope" and "3D extruded" approach.

[christianb5949572]

Thank you so much!

I hope there is a way to make the stairs "disappear" in the 3D approach...

[Monika Gause]

As I said: "Invisible Geometry"

Please read the link I posted.

[christianb5949572]

Great!

Thanks again!

[rcraighead]

Monika beat me to it. My problem was I had a stroke on my extruded path.

[christianb5949572]

That's great, guys! Thank you so much!

Would you mind sharing with me your document so I could explore all of this? I've never done any 3D stuff before...

Thanks!

[Monika Gause]

Please see this: Dropbox - Treppen mit Typo.ai

You will need to read this:

How to create 3D objects in Illustrator

In order to create yours you need to use the setting to hide geometry in the map artwork dialog box.

[christianb5949572]

Thank you!

[christianb5949572]

I was wondering...

In the Envelope and 3D approaches, is it possible to move (displace) the typography in the stairs after the effect is applied?

Thanks!

[Monika Gause]

To edit an effect, open the appearance panel and double click it.

[christianb5949572]

Indeed. However, I can't seem to be able to move the typography without moving all the rest...

I would like to refine the placement of the typography (only) once the effect is applied...

[Monika Gause]

Syntax_One  schrieb

Indeed. However, I can't seem to be able to move the typography without moving all the rest...

I would like to refine the placement of the typography (only) once the effect is applied...

You need to open the 3D dialog box and then you can move around and rotate the typography. You can't move it freely, because when you move it too close to the border of the object, it will get tricky. Really tricky.

Thank you, Doug.

[christianb5949572]

Thank you! I appreciate it a lot.

@rcraighead:

In the Envelope distort approach, is it possible to move (displace) the typography in the stairs after the effect is applied? When I double-click on the object or when I click on the "Modify the content" button in the Control panel, when I move the typography, the enveloppe moves also.

Thanks!

[rcraighead]

Yes. I confused  you by distorting a "Symbol" and not the text directly. The Symbol includes the text object and a rectangle to help simplify the initial Envelope Distortion.

When in "Edit Content" mode you can "Break Link" to Symbol then edit the text more directly. I'd leave the extra rectangle in place because it helps to control the distortion.

Note: When "Breaking link" to symbol the art is put into a group. This group isn't necessary. You can just "Ungroup" or drag the content outside the group. The group will disappear in either case.

I think the 3D extrusion is really the best solution though.

[christianb5949572]

Thank you so much! This is great!

Have a nice day!

[Monika Gause]

Make the steps with rounded corners.

And then use the 3D Extrude effect.

[DougKatz]

Monika, a truly embarrassing question.

I draw the same path that you have (I think): A stairstep silhouette with 8 points. No stroke, white fill. I round the relevant 4 corners (with AG's Dynamic Corners). I remove the Dynamic Status.

With the simple closed path selected, I apply the 3D effect. When I go to map the text, however, I have 14 surfaces! You have 6!

How is this possible? Does it have something to do with my construction of the object? Or maybe the exact angles and perspectives set by the fields in the 3D dialogue produce different numbers of surfaces?

(Stroke added for visibility)

[Monika Gause]

Those points need to be smooth points. Creating corner poits and then rounding them is not sufficient. They need to be smooth points with 2 handles.

[DougKatz]

How very smart you are, Ms. Gause.

In the old days of medicine, before the surgeons rose to celebrity status, the most revered professionals were the gifted diagnosticians… the ones who could examine a patient and determine what was wrong. Generally speaking, the diagnosticians didn't perform medical miracles; they made them possible.

Thanks for the expert diagnosis.