To create a retro shadow effect in Adobe Illustrator, you primarily utilize the 3D Extrude feature, which allows you to give depth and perspective to your objects, forming the base for the distinct, offset shadow characteristic of retro designs.
Creating a Retro Shadow with Illustrator's 3D & Materials
A retro shadow, often seen in vintage designs, is typically a solid, flat, and offset duplication of an object, appearing as if cast at a specific angle. Adobe Illustrator's 3D Extrude effect provides an excellent foundation for achieving this look by creating the necessary depth and angle.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying the Extrude Effect
The core of making a retro shadow involves applying specific 3D extrusion settings to your chosen object.
- Select Your Object: Begin by selecting the shape, text, or group of objects to which you want to apply the retro shadow.
- Open 3D and Materials Panel: Navigate to
Window > 3D and Materialsto open the panel. This panel houses the modern 3D effects in Illustrator. - Choose Extrude: In the
3D and Materialspanel, ensure you are in the "Object" tab (usually the default). Under the "Type" dropdown, select Extrude. - Set X and Y Rotation: To achieve the specific offset angle for a retro shadow, adjust the Rotation values. As per the reference, set the X Rotation and Y Rotation to 1 degree each. This slight rotation helps establish the perspective for your shadow.
- Increase Depth: Adjust the Depth value to your liking. This setting controls how far the object appears to extend, directly impacting the length of your shadow. Experiment with different values until you achieve the desired visual "pull."
- Adjust Roughness: In the Materials tab within the same 3D and Materials panel, you can adjust the Roughness property. While its primary role is to define the texture of the 3D surface, you might fine-tune it here, though for a simple, flat retro shadow, its impact on the final shadow shape might be minimal after expanding.
Completing the Retro Shadow Effect
Applying the Extrude effect creates a 3D rendition of your object. To transform this into a flat, editable retro shadow, you'll need to take a few more steps:
- Expand Appearance: With the 3D object selected, go to
Object > Expand Appearance. This converts the live 3D effect into editable vector shapes. - Ungroup and Isolate: After expanding, your object will likely be grouped and possibly include a compound path. Ungroup it (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + G repeatedly if necessary) until you can select individual components.
- Identify the Shadow Shape: The extruded part of your object will now be a distinct shape behind the original front face. Select only this extruded shape (the "shadow"). You may need to delete the original front object or the hidden parts that are not part of your desired shadow.
- Color and Position: Color your isolated shadow shape typically in a darker shade or a contrasting color to your main object. Finally, position it slightly offset from your original object to complete the classic retro shadow look.
