How to Create Chrome Letters in Adobe Illustrator

This quick tutorial will show you the steps required to make simple beveled chrome letters.  You will need a basic knowledge of illustrator, but you certainly don’t need to be a pro.   I am using Adobe Illustrator CS3 on a Mac, but older versions and PCs should work the same way.  Here we go!

 

1. Type your word: Using the type tool pick out a font and write your letters.  A simple block font will work best.  I used Arial bold. Size the letters to fill the workspace.

2. Turn your type into shapes: with your word selected, Go up to Type –> Create Outlines.  You should now have shapes instead of type.  I like to fill with a medium grey so that the next step is easier to see.

 

3. Bevel: With your new word shape selected go to Effect –> 3D –> Extrude & Bevel. Refer to the image below for your settings. I’ve highlighted the settings I have altered from the default.  For this example I set the Position to Front, the Extrude Depth to 50pt, the Bevel to Classic, the Height to 5pt and click the bevel out image instead of the bevel in image.  If you check the Preview box you can check out your bevel and you can adjust the settings to how you like it. Congrats! You finished the hard part!

4. Expand: Your new shape will look a little funny and off center.  Now you will expand the shape so that each surface of your newly beveled masterpiece is its own object. With your shape selected go to Object –> Expand Appearance. You should now have a group of shapes that look similar to the example below.  

5. Make your Gradient: Now for the fun part. First you need to create a gradient to be used on the face of your letters.  In your gradient tab create a new linear gradient using 30% grey and 60% grey (you can grab those colors right from your default swatches tab).  Then drag white right into the middle.  You can adjust the gradient to make a sharper or more diffuse highlight. You will need to make your angle 90 degrees. Now go into your group (you will need to double click to go into the groups or you can ungroup everything.) Fill in the faces of the letters with your new gradient. 

Note: you don’t need to use grey! Try other colors, or for a sleeker chrome look try brown on the bottom and blue on the top.

6. Shading:  Now you will need to fill in the beveled edges with the appropriate color.  This is just a guide, you can certainly be more detailed.  You can also place gradients in your vertical edges for a more detailed look. Use the example below to get you started. 

7. Embelishments:  Whoo Hooo, looking good! Now you can add some details.  I like to add a highlight on the top edge by simply drawing a white line.  Then you can add a white star shape for an added gleam.  If you want rivets, just bevel some small circles and place them in the corners.  Add a drop shadow by going to Effect –> Stylize –> Drop Shadow.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  If you try this out, please return and let me know how you liked it.  If you have tips or suggestions for my next tutorial please let me know!  

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