Creating 3D cables

[JimR]

Sorry if this is just too obvious - but:

How do I get gradient colours on a curve to make it look like a 3D cable. I am drawing a rounded curve with stroke 12



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JimR

[wizard509]

you need to make a brush, I'll work on or find a tutorial for you.

[JimR]

Ahh, that's it yes! I found another old workaround where you clone the line, change the colour to white and feather until it looks (sort of) right



JimR

[Rik]

Hi Jim.

Looks more like pipes to me, rather than cables?!

So, you could clone and feather.

EDIT: Oh! I see you posted before I did. Pleased to see that you got it!

[angelize]

To further add to Jim's workaround you can take that white clone and move it up and over a bit and feather it until your highlight looks right then clone it again and this time give it a colour a few shades darker than the original colour and move it down and over in the opposite direction to create some shading then clip it all together (Q) And don't forget that you can use the profile sliders to fine tune the feathering!

[Fred C]

Another option, Jim.

Draw the cable as a 12-13 point line, give it a darker color. Clone it, give the clone a lighter color and reduce the line width to 1 or 2 points.. Do a Blend from the wider to the narrower line of 5-7 steps.

[wizard509]

Ahh, that's it yes! I found another old workaround where you clone the line, change the colour to white and feather until it looks (sort of) right



JimR

That is a good way too. In fact it may be easier to do for this particular need. With all the help you have gotten so far I need say no more.

[Big Frank]

draw a line, colour it and then use the bevel tool to give it the appearance of 3d

[Rik]

Frank: The Bevel Tool is a very good suggestion.

[MarcT]

Indeed, and the lines are still editable!