how to draw a 3d box in illustrator

Preview

Stride 1: Draw a 3D Box

Open up a new document in Illustrator. Set information technology upward in the manner you lot prefer. Select the Rectangle Tool (G) from the Tools Console.

Draw a square object on the artboard; hold downward the Shift primal to brand a perfect square. Fill up the foursquare with gray. Adjacent, nosotros will convert the gray box into a 3D shape.

Make sure the box is selected (if not, utilize the Selection Tool) and and then go to Result > 3D > Extrude & Bevel. For the 3D Extrude & Bevel options, utilise the settings below. With the shape still selected, get to Object > Expand Appearance.

Now we have a simple 3D box shape.

Step 2: Depict the Box'southward Flaps

Select the top side of the box with the Direct Selection Tool (A). With the top side selected, copy it (Cmd/Ctrl + C) and then paste it in forepart (Cmd/Ctrl + F). We want to increase the size of the copied top side proportionally.

In order to do that, we can utilise an Offset Path (Object > Path > Showtime Path) of 25pt. We will finish up with two objects, the original elevation side (inner shape) and the 25pt path surrounding it (outer shape). Now we want to decrease the inner shape from the outer shape.

We will use the Pathfinder Panel (Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + F9) for this. Select the two objects and then click on the Exclude button in the Pathfinder Panel. This will cut out the inner shape.

Make 4 copies of the superlative side of the box over again and then marshal them with each corner of the shape we just made. Select all shapes and utilize the Split up selection in the Pathfinder Console. So with the Direct Selection Tool (A), delete all unnecessary objects.

Make sure to delete the center shape because we want to create a box that is open up.

Stride 3: Add Some Color

Since we are creating a cardboard box, we want to add together some paper-thin colors. Select each shape and add the colors of your liking. For the lighter sides of the box, I used #c19862 and for the darker shade, #6f431e.

Step 4: Create an Edge for the Flaps

Select the flaps shape and make a copy of it underneath (Edit > Re-create and then Edit > Paste in Back). Fill the duplicated shape with a darker brown (#6f431e).

Step 5: Add the Inner Walls

Use the Pen Tool (P) to draw the inside walls of the box. Draw the paths beneath all the other objects to hide any bad-mannered seams. Make sure that each shape has a different brown color so that we can distinguish each shape and make our shipping box look three-dimensional.

Since the box will accept some shadows falling into it, nosotros need to simulate that sort of lighting with some elementary shapes.

Step 5: Correcting and Enhancing the Box's Flaps

In a previous step, nosotros made a copy of the flaps and placed it underneath to back up the 3D shape of our box. Nonetheless, the corners don't expect right. We demand to fix that.

With the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the corner anchor of the lesser flap and drag information technology inwards so that information technology's vertically aligned. Repeat this with each corner where it's necessary. On the front-facing parts of the flap edge, we demand to add together some rectangle shapes and then we get the thickness of the cardboard.

Simply makes some rectangle shapes (shown in red) with the Pen Tool (P) and fill them with a darker brown color.

Step 6: Add Surface Highlights and Packing Tape

Allow's give our box surface a touch of detail. More specifically, we will requite the left side a highlight that will help us keep our lighting consistent. Create a triangular shape and place it underneath the flap, and and so make full it with a darker brown colour.

Nosotros will tweak the transparency of the triangular shape using the Transparency Panel (Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + F10). In the Transparency Panel, set the Blending Style to Multiply and reduce the Opacity to 30%. Shipping boxes volition usually have tape on it to seal it upwards.

Permit's brand a simple packing record detail that goes vertically down the front of the box. Add a rectangle as a tape strip to the front.

Step seven: Create the Box's Shadow

We will now bandage a shadow on the floor. Employ the Pen Tool (P) to create a rectangular path at the forepart of the box (beneath where we placed the packing tape). We will use the Gradient Console (Cmd/Ctrl + F9) to fill the path with a linear black-to-transparent gradient angled in such a way as to match the perspective of the box.

Detect that since our light source comes from the height left, the shadow is slightly bigger on the right.

Footstep 8: Add Torn Packing Tape on the Flaps

Let's reinforce the realism of our icon by having packing record hanging off the flap to make it await like an opened box. Create a rectangular shape with the Pen Tool (P) that is aligned with the box's flap on the left. Add some actress anchor points to the end so information technology looks like the tape is ripped off and dangling off the flap.

Then fill up the packing record's path with a beige colour. Make certain that you placed the shape underneath the flap; yous can movement information technology downwardly by pressing Cmd/Ctrl + [ if you drew it on tiptop.

Step ix: Creating a "Fragile" Postage

For an extra added bit of detail, let'south add together a red stamp that says "Delicate." Often, you'll run across this in situations where the contents of a bundle are easily breakable, such as figurer parts or dishware (e.g. porcelain plates). We'll create a stamp from scratch quickly and easily.

I picked a font called Portago ITC TT. Whatever stenciled font should work well. All you want to do is use the Blazon Tool (T) to type out the text in all caps.

Fix the colour to a red color. Later, just use the Rounded Rectangle Tool with a red stroke to draw a border around the "Fragile" text. Then create outlines for the text (Type > Create Outlines or Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + O), select the text and the rounded rectangle, and then group them together (Object > Group or Cmd/Ctrl + G).

Identify the "Frail" stamp on the side of the box. Match the perspective/angle of our box past using Effect > Distort & Transform > Free Distort.

Step 10: Finishing Details

I thought the shipping box would wait bully on a beige background, so I just created a rectangle to serve as the groundwork below the box and filled it with beige (#e4d0b5). Feel free to add more details to the box. For example, I added a barcode that was created using blackness vertical lines attack meridian of a beige rectangle (drawn with the Rectangle Tool).

I used the same method (Effect > Misconstrue & Transform > Gratis Distort) to match the angle and perspective of the box.

Tutorial Summary

This tutorial involved producing a 3D shipping box icon in Illustrator. We used the 3D Extrude & Bevel outcome to create the base shape. We used a nifty technique to draw the flaps using the Outset Path command.

Nosotros detailed our box with things like packing tape, a cherry-red "Frail" postage, highlights and shadows. Beneath, I grouped all the shapes of the box, duplicated the grouping, and scaled them down in a variety of popular icon sizes. I promise you enjoyed this tutorial.

Download Source Files

• shipping_package_box (ZIP, one.07 MB)

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Source: https://www.webfx.com/blog/web-design/create-a-3d-shipping-package-box-icon-in-illustrator/

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