Real 3D Tadpole

[chavy Altman]

I want to give this tadpole a real 3D looking effect. I have all the CC programs. I'm working in Illustrator. I fin that the 3D gives a very sharp modern effect. It makes the tadpole look fake. I'm looking for a real 3D effect. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Mylenium]

And exactly what is a "real 3D looking effect"? I'm afraid you're getting carried away with fancy words. At the heart of it this comes down to understanding traditional painting techniques and everything that comes with it. There's really no magic button. You have to get into learning light and shadows and how to simulate them e.g. with gradients that mimic the contours and surface curvature.

Mylenium

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Photoshop’s limited 3D capabilities may provide a somewhat better result, but you may want to look into proper 3D modelling software if that is what you are going for.

[chavy Altman]

Mylenium, I am trying to get this tadpole to look real, by giving it a 3D

effect, that's what I was trying to say when I wrote a "real 3D looking

effect."

C. Pfaffenbichler, which software is proper for 3D modeling?

On Wed, Jan 11, 2017 at 7:30 AM, c.pfaffenbichler <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I am not a 3D modeller so my insight into that field is very limited, I would recommend you do a Google search for »3d modeling software« and maybe add »free«.

At various times I think I »heard« positive things about Mudbox, Blender, Spaceclaim, … but again this is not my field of expertise.

[Doug A Roberts]

you're concerned that your tadpole with bulging cartoon eyeballs might look fake?

the simplest way to make it look 3D is by drawing highlights and shadows, like mylenium said. there are many approaches to that:

1. you could draw basic shapes and fill them with a highlight colour/a shadow colour. this might be best for your cartoony look.

2. you could draw basic shapes that are blends between the tadpole's base colour and highligh/shadow colours. this would give you smooth graduated areas.

3. you could use the mesh tool

[chavy Altman]

I started applying shadows & working with the shadows & gradient mesh tool.

It looks like it's taking off the ground & getting a bit of the 3D effect.

My problem is, I'm designing this for a swim school. They want different

sea animals to display all the swim levels. The animals will go on a chart

on the wall. It's something the kids need to be able to hold in their hand.

I want it to give a bit more of real, but, yet cartoon kind of look once

they're cut out. I don't think I'm getting that effect yet.

I think I will try out the Mudbox software, at the end of this weekend,

since, it's getting late tonight in NYC.

I do want to hear some opinions on the results I got now, though.

Fondly,

Chavy Birnbaum

On Thu, Jan 12, 2017 at 3:32 AM, dougofakkad <forums_noreply@adobe.com>

[c.pfaffenbichler]

I think I will try out the Mudbox software, at the end of this weekend,

since, it's getting late tonight in NYC.

I do not want to goad you into investing a lot of time into learning 3D software (especially as it might be quite time-consuming and I am not a 3D modeler myself), Mylenium and dougofakkad offered valid advice on achieving results otherwise.

Edit:

[Ray Yorkshire]

They want different sea animals to display all the swim levels

Tadpoles don't live in the sea

Little kids will spot that for sure

even if the thick teachers miss it .

Can't you just Google something like

Cartoon sea creatures clipart

or

Vector sea animals

And buy a sheet or use free ones

[Luke Jennings]

Deep-Water Larvacean, or “Sea-Tadpole” | Smithsonian Ocean Portal

[chavy Altman]

The teacher gave me the list of animals she wants me to emulate. I don't

think it's necessary to point it out to her that a tadpole is not a sea

creature.

I will try to work with the advice I got till now for creating the 3D

creature.

On Fri, Jan 13, 2017 at 8:40 AM Luke Jennings <forums_noreply@adobe.com>