Objective

To learn Illustrator and Photoshop production techniques by recreating the package "comp" below.

Discussion

Package designers often make use of pre-designed templates from manufacturers in order to save money. In this exercise, we will use an existing "die" template as a starting point for our design. Then we will take components from the template to create a 3D mockup for client presentation.

Tip: Illustrator's 3D functions require the use of "symbols." In order to make symbols out of pixel elements, one needs to embed the image first
(window > links: flyout menu).

Procedure

Creating the art in Illustrator

1. download starter files
2. open "2x6x2.ai" in Illustrator, save as "simplicity.ai"
3. practice Adobe navigation shortcuts (space=hand, space+cmd=zoom in, space+cmd+opt= zoom out; cmd zero=fit in window)
4. new layer "art"
5. file > place "sun.psd"; embed (window > links: flyout menu)
6. copy and paste UPC code from "upc.ai", position on bottom panel
7. copy and paste text from "simplicity.rtf" into Illustrator
8. make all text Adobe Garamond 10/16, centered
9. make back panel 7/11
10. style other text (make select text bold, make heads Futura Heavy, scale/track, center or justify as needed)
11. make circle and side text PMS 877 silver (window > swatch libraries > color books > Pantone metalic coated)
12. print 11x17 laser with your name & exercise number on it
13. save, save as "simplicity-3d.ai"

Preparing symbol art for 3D rendering in Illustrator

1. new layer "white", restack below "art" layer
2. draw white rectangles: 2x2in, 2x6in (rectangle tool: opt-click)
3. position/duplicate rectangles below top, front, side panels
4. window > symbols: drag each panel into "symbols" panel, rename
5. delete "layer 1", delete unneeded art
6. save, save as "simplicty-3d-rendered.ai"

Rendering a 3D object in Illustrator

1. draw rectangle 2x6in: fill=white, stroke=none
2. effects > 3D > extrude & bevel:
   • depth=2in
   • perspective=??
   • adjust axis/rotation
   (tip: use wireframe shading to preview, use diffuse shading for final)
3. map art: apply symbol to appropriate surface, rotate/scale art as needed
4. click OK to render 3D object (tip: edit live effects in window > appearance)
5. save, save as "simplicty-3d-expanded.ai"

Preparing the art for Photoshop

1. art board tool: change size to letter, portrait
2. object > expand appearance
3. window > layers: view layer components: ungroup (2x)
4. new layers: "front", "side", "top"
5. move art into each layer
6. new layer "bg": draw 8.5x11in white box, re-stack to bottom
7. file > export "simplicity-3d.psd" (CMYK, 300PPI, layers=yes)
8. save

Adjusting the lighting in Photoshop

1. open "simplicity 3d.psd" in Photoshop
2. merge each layer group (flyout menu)
3. select "front" layer: add adjustment layer (levels)
4. make "front" art darker
5. clip adjustment layer to just one layer below (see tutorial)
6. repeat: use a different gray for each panel
7. new layer "shadow", restack above "bg" layer
8. pen tool: draw box for shadow
9. window > paths: fill path with black (flyout menu)
10. filter > blur > gaussian blur
11. window > layers: opacity=???
12. add layer mask to "shadow" layer
13. draw gradient mask perpendicular to bottom of front panel
14. save, save as "simplicty-3d-shadow.psd"

grading

1. add your name and the exercise number to the PSD file
2. layer > flatten image
3. file > save as "simplicty-3d-shadow.jpg" (format=JPEG; quality=10)
4. open the JPEG in Photoshop and print a proof
5. submit both proofs for grading
6. file your graded proofs in your Process Book for individual review