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Learn how to use Challenge Neo – utilizing 3D in Illustrator


Does Adobe have a 3D modeling program? Properly it does now, with the brand new Challenge Neo (beta)! Let’s use it to create an lovely 3D illustration for Valentine’s Day. Whether or not you are crafting this for a particular somebody or simply flexing your design muscular tissues, this step-by-step information will make it straightforward and enjoyable.

We’ll cowl the instruments and strategies you might want to design a cute smartphone with charming icons (a calendar, an envelope, and a speech bubble coronary heart) with a lighthearted, playful shade palette. Utilizing 3D objects, vibrant colours, and a little bit of creativity, we’ll remodel fundamental components right into a cute, festive visible that’s good for sharing the love. 

What’s 3D artwork with Challenge Neo?

project neoproject neoproject neo

In case you’ve ever questioned “what’s 3D artwork”, “how you can make 3D artwork”, and even “does Adobe have a 3d modeling program”, Challenge Neo is right here to reply all of your questions while making the method enjoyable and straightforward.

A part of Adobe’s highly effective suite of instruments, Challenge Neo is designed to simplify 3D design, giving creators of all ability ranges the prospect to deliver their concepts to life in superb 3D. From crafting easy shapes to constructing intricate 3D scenes, this software places the magic of Adobe 3D at your fingertips.

With its beginner-friendly options, Challenge Neo is ideal for anybody able to discover how you can make 3D artwork. Whether or not you’re experimenting with artistic layouts, including life like textures, or enjoying with vibrant colours, this software does all of it. So, in case you’re able to dive into the thrilling world of how you can make 3D artwork, Challenge Neo is the proper place to start out.

1. Getting conversant in Challenge Neo

Launching Adobe Challenge Neo

Let’s begin by launching Adobe Challenge Neo from our web browser by going to projectneo.adobe.com. This can take you to the primary web site, the place you may get a fast sense of what Adobe Challenge Neo is all about: its options, instruments, and a showcase of pattern initiatives to encourage you. 

project neo websiteproject neo websiteproject neo website

Create a brand new workspace

Check in utilizing your Adobe account, or in case you’re new to the platform, merely join an account by clicking on the Signal Up button on the prime.

When you’re logged in, click on the Create button to open up the primary workspace, the place all of the magic occurs.

create a new workspacecreate a new workspacecreate a new workspace

Discover the interface

You will now see the primary interface, which incorporates a big viewport within the heart (the place your Adobe 3D creations will seem), a toolbar on the left with all of the important instruments, and a Scene/Properties panel on the precise.

explore the project neo interfaceexplore the project neo interfaceexplore the project neo interface

Left toolbar

The toolbar on the left homes important instruments for creating shapes, enhancing and rotating objects, including textual content, and utilizing fundamental digicam controls. Hover over every icon to see a tooltip with its identify and performance.

left toolbar for project neoleft toolbar for project neoleft toolbar for project neo

Proper panels

On the precise facet, you’ll discover the Scene panel (or Properties panel if in case you have an object chosen).

The Properties panel is the place you may change the colour, materials, measurement, and place of your shapes. It’s a key space for customizing your objects (you need to have a 3D object chosen to see this).

properties panelproperties panelproperties panel

The Scene panel means that you can set the dimensions of your picture and select a digicam and background shade (you need to deselect your 3D object to see this).

scene panelscene panelscene panel

Mini Layer Widget

You will additionally discover the Mini Layer Widget close to the right-hand facet of the viewport, which can turn out to be useful when choosing the assorted 3D objects in your scene.

mini layer widgetmini layer widgetmini layer widget

2. Navigating the scene in Challenge Neo

Navigating the 3D workspace in Adobe Challenge Neo is important for designing successfully. Let’s break down the primary navigation instruments and strategies.

Orbiting across the scene

Orbiting means that you can rotate round your scene and consider your 3D objects from all sides. There are a couple of methods you are able to do this in Challenge Neo:

  1. Orbit Button (O): Choose the orbit button positioned on the left toolbar to orbit across the scene freely. 
  2. Orbit Slider: Use the orbit slider on the prime and on the left to show round your scene at 45° intervals.
  3. Proper Mouse Button: You possibly can rotate round your scene by clicking and dragging with the precise mouse button within the viewport.
orbit around the sceneorbit around the sceneorbit around the scene

Panning throughout the scene

Panning means that you can transfer the digicam view facet to facet or up and down, with out rotating. To do that, you need to use these controls:

  1. Pan Button (H): Choose the pan button positioned on the left toolbar to pan throughout the scene freely.
  2. Spacebar: Maintain the spacebar in your keyboard after which click on and drag with the left mouse button.  
  3. Center Mouse Button: Maintain down the center mouse button and transfer the mouse to shift your view horizontally or vertically.
panning across the scenepanning across the scenepanning across the scene

Zooming out and in

Zooming allows you to transfer nearer to or farther out of your objects, supplying you with management over how a lot of the scene you see directly.

  1. Zoom Button (Z): Use the zoom button positioned on the left toolbar to zoom out and in of your scene freely by clicking and dragging with the precise mouse button.
  2. Mouse Wheel: Scroll along with your mouse wheel to zoom out and in.
zooming in and outzooming in and outzooming in and out

3. Create a 3D smartphone 

Now let’s undergo some sensible examples of how you can use Adobe Challenge Neo, beginning by making a smartphone.

Step 1

Let’s start by setting a gradient background. Below the Atmosphere panel, choose Linear from the dropbox. For the colours, we’re utilizing a gentle pink gradient that goes from a lighter pink #fce5e7 for the highest to a barely darker pink #f7b5ba for the underside. This gradient shade will function a gentle, romantic backdrop for the scene.

add a gradient backgroundadd a gradient backgroundadd a gradient background

Step 2

Utilizing the Form software, choose Dice and click on and drag within the scene to create the 3D object. As you drag, you may see the form seem, and you’ll regulate the dimensions by dragging roughly. You can too use the default shapes which are within the scene already and edit them from there.

create a cubecreate a cubecreate a cube

Step 3

After drawing the rectangle, regulate the dimensions through the use of the Choose or Edit buttons on the left toolbar. Drag the handles utilizing the mouse to regulate the width and peak of the 3D object, till you get the precise form for the 3D smartphone.

You can too enter quantity values within the Rework panel. We have used the next:

transform the cube into the shape of a smartphonetransform the cube into the shape of a smartphonetransform the cube into the shape of a smartphone

Step 4

Now within the Shapes panel, regulate the roundness of the corners through the use of the sliders for the Backside Nook/High Nook or by including quantity values to the nook packing containers on the backside.

You can too regulate the Inflate software worth so as to add a chunky, spherical look to your object. These are the values we have used:

  • Inflate: 0.016
  • Corners: 0.073
  • Corners: 0.073
  • Corners: 0.073
  • Corners: 0.073
inflate and round the corners of the 3D objectinflate and round the corners of the 3D objectinflate and round the corners of the 3D object

Step 5

The Look panel lets illustrators and graphic designers set the colour to #ec6f7d and the roughness to 0.5.

change the color of the 3D objectchange the color of the 3D objectchange the color of the 3D object

Step 6

Duplicate the rectangle by discovering the article within the Mini Layer Widget after which right-clicking on the layer to search out Duplicate Layer.

duplicate the 3D object from the mini layer widgetduplicate the 3D object from the mini layer widgetduplicate the 3D object from the mini layer widget

Step 7

Scale it down barely, and transfer it simply above the primary 3D illustration. Apply a white shade #eae4de to this interior body.

create the inside framecreate the inside framecreate the inside frame

Step 8

Within the Shapes panel, regulate the Gap worth to create the world for the telephone display.

create the holecreate the holecreate the hole

Step 9

Duplicate the interior body and reshape it utilizing the enhancing instruments within the Properties panel to create the highest a part of the display.

create the top part of the screencreate the top part of the screencreate the top part of the screen

Step 10

Duplicate one of many 3D objects once more and scale it/reshape it to create the interior display for the 3D smartphone. Apply a lightweight pink #eeb1b5 shade for the display.

create the screencreate the screencreate the screen

4. Design a coronary heart icon (message bubble)

Step 1

Duplicate one of many 3D objects once more (ideally one of many white ones in order that we do not have to vary the colour) and reshape it. Intention for a form that’s wider than it’s tall to resemble a typical chat bubble. If you need, it’s also possible to cover the earlier 3D objects utilizing the Mini Layer Widget as this would possibly make the viewport clearer.

  • W: 0.398
  • H: 0.02
  • D: 0.294
create a new white 3D object for the speech bubblecreate a new white 3D object for the speech bubblecreate a new white 3D object for the speech bubble

Step 2

So as to add a tail to the message bubble, merely create a brand new dice object and scale it down. 

  • W: 0.062
  • H: 0.003
  • D: 0.059

Keep in mind to additionally around the corners barely in order that it suits the fashion of the picture that you are going for. When you’re pleased with the dimensions, rotate it by 45° (maintain Shift) and embed it inside your speech bubble object.

create the tail for the speech bubblecreate the tail for the speech bubblecreate the tail for the speech bubble

Step 3

Utilizing the Form software, choose Pin and click on and drag within the scene to create the 3D object. 

create a 3D pin objectcreate a 3D pin objectcreate a 3D pin object

Step 4

Regulate the form of the article utilizing Edit Form (A) till it resembles one half of a coronary heart. 

edit the 3D pin shapeedit the 3D pin shapeedit the 3D pin shape

Step 5

Rotate it by 45° (maintain Shift) after which regulate the Inflate software worth within the Form panel. 

create one half of a heart shapecreate one half of a heart shapecreate one half of a heart shape

Step 6

Add a pink #d84e50 shade to it with a roughness worth of 0.114. Then duplicate it/rotate it for the opposite facet of the guts.

create the other half of the heartcreate the other half of the heartcreate the other half of the heart

Step 7

Now transfer the objects into place to create the guts icon message bubble.

final 3D message bubble heart iconfinal 3D message bubble heart iconfinal 3D message bubble heart icon

5. Create an envelope icon

Step 1

Create a rounded rectangle with the next dimensions (bear in mind to make use of the inflate software so as to add a bit extra roundness to your 3D drawings):

  • W: 0.44
  • H: 0.009
  • D: 0.294
  • Inflate: 0.01
create the envelope shapecreate the envelope shapecreate the envelope shape

Step 2

Add a gentle beige or mild off-white shade #dac8a5 to it with a roughness worth of 0.8.

color the envelopecolor the envelopecolor the envelope

Step 3

Within the Form software dropdown within the left toolbar, discover and choose the Triangle. We’ll use this to create the triangular flap of the envelope.

Click on and drag above the present rectangle to create a triangle form positioned neatly on prime. Keep in mind so as to add the identical shade and roughness as earlier than, after which regulate the form to type the envelope’s flap. 

You should utilize the next dimensions, after which rotate the form by 90° in order that it suits the form (bear in mind to make use of the inflate software so as to add a bit extra roundness to your 3D drawings):

  • W: 0.443
  • H: 0.035
  • D: 0.083
  • Inflate: 0.01
use the triangle shape to create the envelope flapuse the triangle shape to create the envelope flapuse the triangle shape to create the envelope flap

Step 4

Repeat the method for the facet envelope flaps, once more utilizing the inflate software for roundness:

  • W: 0.291
  • H: 0.016
  • D: 0.084
  • Inflate: 0.011
create new envelope flapscreate new envelope flapscreate new envelope flaps

Step 5

Create a rounded rectangle with the size beneath and place it contained in the envelope.

  • W: 0.339
  • H: 0.007
  • D: 0.226
  • Inflate: 0.008
add a letter inside the envelopeadd a letter inside the envelopeadd a letter inside the envelope

Step 6

Duplicate the underside envelope flap and place it on prime of the design while sending it behind the white card object.

create the top envelope flapcreate the top envelope flapcreate the top envelope flap

Step 7

Duplicate the 3D coronary heart object from the earlier icon design, scale it down, and place it simply above the letter.

add the 3D heart to the designadd the 3D heart to the designadd the 3D heart to the design

6. Design a calendar icon

Step 1

Create a white rounded rectangle with the size beneath. This form will function the primary physique of the calendar:

  • W: 0.339
  • H: 0.001
  • D: 0.322
  • Inflate: 0.018
  • Corners: 0.056
  • Corners: 0.056
  • Corners: 0.056
  • Corners: 0.056
create a new white 3D shape for the calendar iconcreate a new white 3D shape for the calendar iconcreate a new white 3D shape for the calendar icon

Step 2

To create the calendar header, duplicate the earlier rectangle and apply the size beneath, and place it above the primary physique of the calendar.

Look:

  • Shade: #d84e50
  • Roughness: 0.143

Form:

  • W: 0.37
  • H: 0.025
  • D: 0.112
  • Inflate: 0.009
  • Corners: 0
  • Corners: 0
  • Corners: 0.056
  • Corners: 0.056
create the top of the calendarcreate the top of the calendarcreate the top of the calendar

Step 3

Create one other dice once more, and create a smaller rectangle to signify one of many two “hanging hooks” on the calendar, giving it a sensible contact. Then duplicate it and place it on the opposite facet.

Look:

  • Shade: #505866
  • Roughness: 0.297

Form:

  • W: 0.026
  • H: 0.02
  • D: 0.099
  • Inflate: 0.01
  • Corners: 0.006
  • Corners: 0.006
  • Corners: 0.006
  • Corners: 0.006
create the grey hanging hooks create the grey hanging hooks create the grey hanging hooks

Step 4

To create the quantity “14,” begin by drawing a rounded rectangle with the desired dimensions:

Look:

  • Shade: #2b3136
  • Roughness: 0.297

Form:

  • W: 0.001
  • H: 0.02
  • D: 0.133
  • Inflate: 0.016
create the first number for the calendarcreate the first number for the calendarcreate the first number for the calendar

Step 5

Now duplicate the 3D form and regulate its measurement and rotate it as wanted to type the form of the quantity “4”.

create the number fourcreate the number fourcreate the number four

Step 6

When you’re pleased with the form of the quantity “4”, choose one of many objects and progressively improve the Mixing till all components are seamlessly mixed, making a easy, pure look.

apply blendingapply blendingapply blending

7. Add ornamental clouds

Step 1

Within the Form software dropdown within the left toolbar, discover and choose the Cylinder. Create a fluffy white circle and place it behind all of the objects within the scene. Within the Look panel, set the attributes to the next:

Look:

  • Shade: #ffffff
  • Roughness: 0.8

Form:

  • W: 0.32
  • H: 0.141
  • D: 0.32
  • Inflate: 0.036
create a fluffly white cylindercreate a fluffly white cylindercreate a fluffly white cylinder

Step 2

Now, duplicate the circle a couple of occasions, resizing every copy, and organize them to type the gentle, rounded form of a cloud.

create a fluffy white cloudcreate a fluffy white cloudcreate a fluffy white cloud

Step 3

You possibly can play with the Mixing slider for every 3D object that makes up the cloud if you wish to merge these objects collectively.

blended cloud shapesblended cloud shapesblended cloud shapes

8. Learn how to regulate the lighting 

Step 1

Use the Choose (V) software to rearrange all of your 3D objects into a pleasant composition, and regulate the angle of the viewport to your liking.

arrange the compositionarrange the compositionarrange the composition

Step 2

Click on on the Atmosphere button on the highest left of the display, and you will see the sliders that you need to use to regulate the lighting of the scene.

click on the environment buttonclick on the environment buttonclick on the environment button

Step 3

For this tutorial, we have used the next, however be at liberty to mess around and use your individual lighting setup.

  • Rotation: 294.9
  • Peak: 58.6
  • Shadow Distance: 0.071
lighting set uplighting set uplighting set up
final lighting set upfinal lighting set upfinal lighting set up

Step 4

Proceed to regulate the lighting and composition till you are able to export your picture. You can too mess around with the Types to create a distinct search for your challenge. You should have a alternative between Sensible, Vector Artwork, Pixelated, and Illustrative.

select a style from the menuselect a style from the menuselect a style from the menu
choose a stylechoose a stylechoose a style

9. Save and export your challenge

Step 1

Now that you’ve got completed your 3D illustration, it is time to save. Click on on the hamburger icon within the prime left and choose Save.

save the illustrationsave the illustrationsave the illustration

Step 2

To export your picture, click on on the Obtain button within the prime proper, choose the format and measurement of your picture, and click on on the blue Obtain button.

download your imagedownload your imagedownload your image

Step 3

If you would like to edit your challenge additional utilizing Adobe Illustrator, make certain to export your challenge as an SVG. That is good in case you are searching for that ‘Vector Artwork’ fashion! Simply choose Types > Vector Artwork after which go to Obtain > SVG.

This is a have a look at the challenge utilizing the Vector Artwork fashion:

vector art stylevector art stylevector art style

And this is a have a look at the challenge when exported as an SVG file in Adobe Illustrator! As you may see, all of the shapes have been exported individually, full with anchor factors so that you can edit and mess around with:

project in Adobe Illustratorproject in Adobe Illustratorproject in Adobe Illustrator

10. You are now able to create with Challenge Neo!

final projectfinal projectfinal project

Congratulations! Now that you just’ve mastered the fundamentals of Challenge Neo, you may confidently use it to create one thing superb.

With this tutorial, you’ve taken your first steps into the world of Adobe 3D illustration by making a playful, Valentine’s Day-themed scene crammed with charming icons and pleasant particulars. From the smartphone body to the message bubble, calendar, and puffy clouds, every aspect has come collectively to create a enjoyable illustration.

Now you’re able to dive in and create your individual distinctive designs in Challenge Neo! Check out new themes, combine up the colours, and play with totally different layouts. The abilities you have realized listed below are just the start, so maintain designing, maintain exploring, and most of all, have enjoyable bringing your concepts to life. Completely happy designing!

Uncover extra tutorials and sources

I hope you have loved this tutorial on how you can make 3D artwork in Challenge Neo. If you would like to be taught extra cool 3D Photoshop and Illustrator abilities, we have got extra tutorials for you:

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