How to Make 3D Buttons for Blackboard Contents

Create a 3D button.

You can use a design program with a 3D effects option to create a 3D button for blackboard postings. You should create a new document for each 3D button. The 3D button can be created in a three tier pattern with a 3D revolving effect added to the final product. Make one detailed button, then copy it and change colors.

Things You'll Need

• Design program

Instructions

1. Open a new document to create the 3D button. The entire document can be approximately 300 by 300 pixels. Enter these dimensions for width and height. Create a new grid under the edit section and look under preferences to form new grids and guides.

2. Select the color and style of the guide and the grid, The guide color will be the color of your button. The grid color will be in the background. Choose a grid line at every 10 pixels, when the option is offered. Check any option that states the grid will appear in back.

3. Create the button by filling the grid in with color. Fill in the amount of red, green and blue that will create the desired tone of color. Use the pen tool to fill in the desired shape of the button. Create three tiers, like a wedding cake. Keep the bottom two tiers gray scale and add color to the top tier.

4. Lock the three tiers together to continue designing. A grouping option may be available by selecting the "Command" (if applicable) and "G" keys at the same time. Add the 3D effect to the entire group. Use a 3D revolving option under the effects tab. Select the amount of revolution, surface and shading for the 3D effect.

5. Unlock the three tiers. Hit the "Shift," "Command" and "G" keys at the same time to remove the grouping of the three tiers. Separate the three layers and add light and shading to each layer individually, so each layer appears to be in 3D. Add new color fills to each layer. Use a gradient slider to reduce the layers opacity to zero.

6. Copy each layer to create duplicate buttons. Adjust the color, light, shading and opacity of each layer. Add light on the edge of each tier to create the appearance of dimension. Use the rectangle tool along the side of each tier to define the shape of the bottom two circles. Use the ellipses tool to change the dimensions of the top tier.

7. Group all three layers together for the final product. Change the color of the button on the color panel. Adjust the brightness. Copy and paste the 3D button onto your blackboard and link appropriate content.

Tips & Warnings

• Shade and highlight each tier individually to give added dimension.

• Step by step instructions may be overly complicated. Take time to experiment with the pen tool, ellipses tool and 3D effects options.

References

• Vector Tutsplus.Com: How to Create 3D Buttons in Illustrator
• Microsoft -- Expression: Creating a Very Simple Gel-Button

Resources

• Microsoft -- Expression: Using the Pen Tool - How to Affect the Opacity of Objects