In this tutorial, I will show you how to create a 3D sports graphics illustration using Adobe Illustrator to create and export basic paths, Cinema 4D to build the 3D, and Photoshop for the post-production. Let's get started!
[h=2]Tutorial Assets
To complete the tutorial you will need the following assets. Please download them before you begin. If they are not available, you will need to find alternatives.
The first step in our project is to create the shape of the base that we will create later in Cinema 4D. Create a new document in Illustrator.
[h=3]Step 2
Select Type Tool, set Font to Impact and type text on new document.
[h=3]Step 3
In the next step choose Object > Expand and click OK.
[h=3]Step 4
Now we add another type (repeat Step 2 and 3)
[h=3]Step 5
Select the new type and choose Object > Ungroup to ungroup the object.
[h=3]Step 6
Place the objects as shown below. Select all and align them using Align Horizontal Centers.
[h=3]Step 7
Select L and create a circle around thefirst Letter B. Copy the circle and move it to the last Type L. Select M and create a rectangle from the middle of the first circle to the other circle. Open Pathfinder (Window > Pathfinder) and click on Unite.
[h=3]Step 8
Create another rectangle (click M) and rotate it 45° (Object > Transform > Rotate) and place it in the middle
[h=3]Step 9
After that, you have to export your object to Cinema 4D. Select File > Save As and choose .ai format and save it for Adobe Illustrator 3. This is a really important step because if you save it for newer versions of Illustrator you wont be able to open it in Cinema 4D.
Now start Cinema 4D. Select File > Open from menu and open your saved .ai file. C4D will ask about some import parameters, ignore them and click OK.
[h=3]Step 2
First we have to sort the Paths. Make a group (select Paths > Right Click > Group Objects)
for 20, BASEBALL, 13, the Rectangle and the Baseball Outline.
[h=3]Step 3
Create an Extrude NURBS and drag the type outline path to it, change its z axis movement to 1.5 cm
[h=3]Step 4
Select Extrude NURBS, go to Caps and select Fillet Cap, set Steps to 4 andRadius to 0.3 cm.
[h=3]Step 5
Hit the C Button. Select the Extrude NURBS Object and expand the folder, select all parts and Right Click > Connect Objects + Delete
[h=3]Step 6
Select all the Paths from BASEBALL and click Right Click > Connect Objects + Delete
[h=3]Step 7
Repeat Step 3 with the BASEBALL Path.
[h=3]Step 8
Select Extrude NURBS, go to Caps and select Fillet Cap, set Steps to 2 andRadius to 0.15 cm.
[h=3]Step 9
Select the type outline object, select Polygon Mode and select the surface.
[h=3]Step 10
Click Right Click > Extrude Inner and then set Offset to 0.172 cm and hit Apply.
[h=3]Step 11
Click Right Click > Extrude and then set Offset to -1.224 cm and hit Apply.
[h=3]Step 12
Select the Baseball Type and scale it a bit down (T) and then move it towards the Surface of the type outline object.
Now we have separated the 3D object from the background.
[h=2]6. Photoshop[h=3]Step 1
Create a new document (File > New...) using the settings shown below.
[h=3]Step 2
Next we fill out the Background with Black Color using the Bucket Tool.
[h=3]Step 3
Now open all the Stock images.
[h=3]Step 4
We have to separate the Baseball Players and the glove from the Background. Use thePolygonal Lasso Tool > set Feather to 1 px to select the players and the glove. When finished Right Click > Layer Via Copy
[h=3]Step 5
Next we will place the players on our document we created before.
[h=3]Step 6
Place the 3D Object that we separated before into your document. Place the glove above it. Be sure to group and organize your Layers to keep the overview over your project.
Select a Soft Round Brush and reduce its size. Also change the Layer Style to Soft Light.
[h=3]Step 12
With the Soft Brush paint over the dark areas to enhance the shadows. Repeat Step 10and 11 for the following Parts.
[h=3]Step 13
At this stage it should look somewhat like this:
[h=3]Step 14
Next put the Texture image on top of your image and stretch it to the edges so that it fits the image.
[h=3]Step 15
Change the Layer Style to Overlay
[h=3]Step 15
Next select Eraser Tool (E) and select a brush from your library. If needed change the size of your brush.
[h=3]Step 16
Start to erase parts of the texture layer.
[h=2]Conclusion
At this point, you're finished. If you would like to add some more details to your artwork, feel free to do so.In this tutorial, you learned how to create a 3D sports graphic illustration using Adobe Illustrator, Cinema 4D, and Photoshop. I hope that you learned something new from this tutorial and that you can apply these techniques to your own work!
