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I would like to create something analogous to a 3D pathway, with walls and a floor. Something like this:

enter image description here

This was made using a hack. I first extruded the walls (50 pt depth), then the "floor" (0 pt) which had to be translated down to meet the bottom of the walls, because the walls were extruded up and down simultaneously, putting the floor in the middle.

Ideally, I would be able to rotate everything together, and specify the offset (in the direction of the extrusion), depth, and direction of extrusion (extruding up, down, or both) of different sets of objects independently.

But I would settle for just being able to set the direction of the extrusion. Is that possible? Does someone have another suggestion for how to accomplish this?

Ideally, I'm looking for a solution which could be applied to an arbitrary pathway shape (i.e. a curved hallway).

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1 Answer 1

Reset to default
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Start with 3/4 of a rectangle... Effect > 3d > Extrude and Bevel and then adjust...

enter image description here

In this instance, the piece is rotated and the extrude depth controls how "long" the piece is. In order to alter the depth of the "sides", merely select the 2 end anchor points of the rectangle and move them to create longer "side" segments.

Note that achieving the multi-coloring is not possible as one object in Illustrator. You'll need to Expand Appearance and alter values for that.

I often find setting the Shading to "no shading" and the expanding the appearance is easier as it allows me to then apply individual gradients to the parts. Of course, you then lose the ability to further rotate or extrude if necessary.

Illustrator's 3D is exceptionally rudimentary and not designed to create 3D "scenes".

To apply a pattern to a specific side, you first create Symbol of the pattern. Draw a large rectangle, fill it with your pattern, then drag that to the Symbols Panel.

You can then use the Map Art button in the 3D effect to apply the pattern to a specific surface:

enter image description here

Works on curved surfaces as well...

enter image description here

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  • Thanks. I wanted to add a pattern to the floor which means I can't use this method, but I guess I can't do that in illustrator.
    – Evan
    May 16, 2018 at 18:59
  • @Evan, You could... as noted int he answer. Set the Shading to "no shading", Position it as you need, then use Object > Expand Appearance to create standard shapes which can be filled with color, gradients, or patterns. In addition, you can use Symbols to map a pattern to one side of the shape. It can be done.
    – Scott
    May 16, 2018 at 19:00
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    @Evan curves work as well. :) you're awfully defeatist here :) A lot can be accomplished, it's merely a matter of how and without knowing the entire scope of what's needed, well.... I'm merely providing information based upon the bits you're dishing out. Answer updated.
    – Scott
    May 16, 2018 at 19:12
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    There is an explanation for my attitude: 1 - I've already submitted the project in which I used the hack, and I'm just curious for future projects, and 2 - I have Solidworks...
    – Evan
    May 16, 2018 at 19:16
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    @Evan illustrator is not 3D i any way. each effect is a one way street. I mean its not hard to make a path extruide as a effect. But as theres no 3d data each thing needs to be programmed separately so there would be no general synergy. 2 solidowks is capable of making vector shapes then just fill in illustrator. 3 theres always a trade of. Because sold works is a indirect modeler some thinsg get hard to do. But since illustrator is a direct 2d modeller you need to do a lot more work.
    – joojaa
    May 16, 2018 at 20:30

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