This is a short Illustrator tutorial on creating realistic highlights using clipping masks. The tutorial covers creating a path, adding a gradient and then creating a clipping mask.
This is an icon of a police siren. When working on producing the highlights on the rim I found that using a clipping mask was the best way to get a good effect.
Look at the rims of the silver bit of the light to assess where your light source is coming from. Here it is coming from the upper left. So you need to have an effect that goes from light at the front to dark at the back. Using the pen tool on a new layer create the crescent shape that we going to use to show the highlight.
Next, add a gradient. Draw a large square over the area and then add a gradient.
We have to make the light go from right to left. Use the gradient options to set the type to Linear and the Angle to 200. The setting will depend on your light source and colours.
To make the clipping mask, you need to group the path and the gradient. Choose both the layers (hold down shift to select both) and click CTRL + G on Windows or Apple + G on a Mac. This groups the layers together.
At the bottom of the layers palette there is an option to make a clipping mask. With the group selected and ensuring the gradient is the bottom layer create a clipping mask. You can see the gradient is shown but only for the path you have drawn. If you are not happy with the gradient you can click the same button at the bottom of the layers palette, release the clipping mask and amend the gradient.
By means of this technique you can get close to natural light effects.
|
|
|
|
|