Issue link: https://nbm.uberflip.com/i/1451379
7 8 G R A P H I C S P R O A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M 7 8 G R A P H I C S P R O A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 G R A P H I C S - P R O. C O M S I G N A G E & P R I N T I N G T H E D I G I T A L E Y E MAP ART Here is a feature that will wrap an image around an extruded or revolved surface. e graphic to be mapped is dragged to the Symbols panel. (Fig. 11) Click the Map Art button and choose the surface where you want to apply it. Choose the desired symbol from the pull-down menu and drag and size the symbol into position on the map that is displayed. e graphic appears mapped to the surface in real time if the preview box is checked. (Fig. 12) Click the Shade Artwork button to apply the lighting features that you configured. EDITING 3 D objects are easily edited. Simply drag their anchor points to change their shape or apply fill and stroke colors as you would any two-dimensional object. Certain other options from the Effects menu also change their appearance. SLOW GOING e Extrude & Bevel and Revolve features requires quite a bit of memory to perform their magic, especially after an effect has been applied and when a document is refreshing on screen. Depending on the complexity of the object, a progress gauge may appear that indicates the object is being rendered. e processing can take quite a while so be patient. (Fig. 13) If changes need to be made after 3 D Rotate, 3D Extrude & Bevel, or 3D Revolve have been applied, always access these features from the Appearance panel (Fig. 14), never from the Effects menu. My experience has been that when the effect is reapplied from the Effects menu, Illustrator gets befuddled and a long wait for processing can ensue. Even worse, the software will crash. Clicking on these 3 D controls in the Appearance panel displays the dialog box smoothly without delay for further editing. EXPERIMENT Now that you know how to transform straw to gold, or two-dimen- sional into three-dimensional objects, I hereby ordain you "Digital Alchemist!" is form of wizardry transports you into a magic realm of graphic technology. ough relatively simple to use, 3 D effects render flat shapes into solid objects with highlights, shadows, and dimensions. In partnership with other techniques such as additional effects, gradients, textures, distortions etc., your artwork will take on new life. Of course, it's essential to experiment with these features to see what their limits are. Don't hesitate to push the envelope of your creativity by trying out these dynamic effects. GP Stephen Romaniello is an artist and educator who has taught computer graphics since 1990. He is Professor Emeritus and the founder of the Digital Arts program at Pima Community Col- lege in Tucson, Arizona. Stephen is a certified instructor in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustra- tor, and Adobe Premier and the author of numerous books, articles, and media on the creative use of graphics software. Stephen is the founder and CEO of GlobalEye systems, a company that offers training and consulting in graphics software and creative imaging. Fig. 11: The graphic to be mapped is dragged to the Symbols panel. Fig. 12: The graphics appear mapped to the surface in real time if the preview box is checked. Fig. 13: A progress gauge may appear that indicates the object is being rendered, which can slow down your workflow. Fig. 14: If changes need to be made after 3D effects have been applied, always access these features from the Appearance panel.