11/28/2017 Convert 2D Logo into 3D Model - Arch Viz Camp

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HOME / TUTORIALS / MODELING / CONVERT 2D LOGO INTO 3D MODEL

Convert 2D Logo into 3D Model

In this quick tutorial, Ill show you an easy way to convert 2D Logo image into
a 3d model for use in any commercial project, with the help of Adobe
Illustrator and 3ds Max.

Find a good logo image

Make your life easier by nding a logo image with high resolution, 1200px
and up should do the job. You can use the google chrome image tools and
select to show only large size images.

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Convert image into vectors

Once youve found a decent image its time to open it in a vector tracing
program such as Adobe Illustrator.
Our goal here is to convert the artwork into splines that can later be used as
shape inside 3ds max. Luckily Illustrator doses it almost automatically for us.
With the artwork selected, rst click on embed, then on the little arrow right
next to the live trace button, click on tracing options.
In the options window, we need to tell the program what to consider in the
tracing process. If your logo contains colors, you should switch the mode
from black & white to color. Specify how many colors are there, in the max
color setting.

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Next, check the Ignore White checkbox so the tracing process will ignore the
background area (or any other white color in the image).
Lastly, select the Outline option in the vector setting. Click on TRACE button.

Tip: click on the preview button to see the changes in real-time.

Now save the AI document as Illustrator8 version as shown below (that

seems to work well in 3ds MAX).

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Import & clean

Open 3ds Max and import the Illustrator le youve just created. Before we
can convert the spline object into 3d mesh we need to do a little cleaning and
scaling.
While the trace process was quite accurate, there might be some overlapping
or unwanted segments inside the shape.
Take a close look at your spline object and delete any excess segments inside
it: select the object->go to modify panel->click segment under selection tab
and start deleting.

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In order to convert the spline into a surface, we have to make sure that its a
closed shape with no open ends at all, to do so select all vertices and click on
weld.
If not all are welded than perhaps some are too far away from each other.
You can increase the weld threshold (next to the weld button) or do that
manually by moving theme closer and welding.

Scale & Extrude

Its time to correct the size of our object. An easy way to see the overall
dimensions of the object is by selecting it, going to Utilities panel and
selecting Measure.
Right at the bottom, there is anX-Y-Z dimensions. Scale the spline up or
down to your desired size.

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Still under the Utilities panel select Reset Xform-> Reset selected to reset
the scale operation (otherwise all modi ers will be scaled too when applying
them on top).
Back to the modify panel, right click the Xform modi er and select collapse
all.
We are now ready to extrude the shape. Add an extrude modi er and set the
height, make sure that cap start and cap end are selected.

Applying materials
This section is more of a suggestion on how to give our logo a glowing look,
like most signs that you see in commercial areas. But you can make any
material that suits your needs.
Ill start by opening the material editor and creating a new multi/sub-object
material.
Next, set the number of materials according to the number of di erent colors
that in your logo, plus one more for VrayLight material that will light the
backside and inside of the object.
For each slot, add a VrayMtl and set the di use color, and re ection amount.
Next add each one of them into Vray2sideMtl so light could show through
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11/28/2017 Convert 2D Logo into 3D Model - Arch Viz Camp
Next add each one of theminto Vray2sideMtl so light could show through
from the inside. LOGIN SIGN UP

In the last slot add VrayLightMtl, set the intensity and color of the light. Check
Compensate camera exposure and Emit light on backside.
Convert the object into Editable poly and under each element set the correct
material ID according to the multi/sub-object IDs. For the back side of the
logo set the last id.

1
Shares

TIP: you can make the VrayLightMtl act as a real Vray light by
enabling the Direct illumination in the material setting, but you
have to detach the back polygons as a separate object for that to
workits a bug in Version 2.4 of Vray
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MARCH 17, 2016 2D ILLUSTRATOR

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