Illustrator DS Technical Illustrations

MaskedWallaby

These were done for a project that finished up today, figured I'd share:



The basis of the project was to choose an electronically-powered object that could be operated without cords, and recreate it photo-realistically in Adobe Illustrator using tools such as the gradient mesh. I knew next to nothing about Illustrator before I started, now I'm trying to use Illustrator shortcuts in all programs and getting pissed off when they don't work. I'm not entirely happy with the end result, as the bottom image is pretty lacking in color scheme and lighting, but I feel I've learned a lot about Illustrator, and I'll take what I can get.

The only thing not actually rendered is the top screen of the top image; I threw that in at the last minute. The rest was done using a paper trace and a photograph as reference, and trying to strike a balance between the two. The subject matter is, obviously, a DS lite.

So...yeah. Thoughts? Like I said, I've already turned this project in, but I'll be using Illustrator for the rest of my working life (I hope), so I figured I'd take any critiques I can get on it now.

Rankenphile

That's Illustrator only? Holy shit.

Could you host the original AI file? I'd love to deconstruct it to see how it came together.

The only thing I notice right off the bat is the top screen portion on the "flat" view seems to end rather abruptly at the hinge, but this is top quality stuff.

earthwormadam

That thur is real purdy.

My favorite view is the middle one, with the reflection. Nicely done.

Rye

I would love to figure out how to work with gradient meshes at some point... Even if they aren't particularly useful. good stuff, sir.

MaskedWallaby

Rye wrote:

I would love to figure out how to work with gradient meshes at some point... Even if they aren't particularly useful. good stuff, sir.

If you're a technical illustrator, you couldn't be more wrong.

Here's the .ai file for the middle view, Rankenphile: 1mb download

Rye

Well, from what i've heard they aren't useful. If you're putting that much time into doing gradient meshes, why not simply make the model in the first place? I don't understand how the added step of Illustrator can help in any way.

Do you happen to know

MagicToaster

HOLY CRAP!

NightDragon

This is wicked good. :^:

Creambun 007

Only few people realise how hard it is to pull something like that off in illustrator. Good freaking work, my friend.

MagicToaster

Illustrator?

THATS THE BEST SLOGAN EVER!!!

MaskedWallaby

Rye wrote:

Well, from what i've heard they aren't useful. If you're putting that much time into doing gradient meshes, why not simply make the model in the first place? I don't understand how the added step of Illustrator can help in any way.

Do you happen to know

Well, I imagine the Illustrator document is preferred because it's replicable, whereas a model would have to be photographed. If it's a 3D model you're talking about, I'd actually think that would take much longer because people expect a certain realism out of their third dimension. Illustrator is able to make pretty exact renders without losing the illustrated look to it. But the amazing part of the cruise ship that I linked to, is the guy did it with only a few top-down blueprints. That fucking scares me, thinking I might have to do something like that someday. :shock:



t everyone else: thanks. :oops: I should see if I can get anyone else from my class to post theirs here, there were a lot of good ones.

flyingmonkey

The reflection on it is a stunning little bit to have worked in there. Gives it real nice depth. Me and Illustrator never really got along, I may have to look into it a bit more though, seeing this...