Chapter 7. 3D and Other Live Effects

So far, we've only scratched the surface with the kinds of effects that Adobe Illustrator has to offer. Soft drop shadows (such as those we discussed in Chapter 3, Objects, Groups, and Layers) are certainly cool, but they are only a small sampling of Illustrator's Live Effects options, which include 3D effects, warp distortions, and a wide range of pixel-based Photoshop effects. In fact, the 3D effects in Illustrator are quite significant, as you will see later in this chapter.

As you read through this chapter, remember that Live Effects can be applied to fills and strokes individually, as well as to objects, groups, and layers. All Live Effects are applied via the Effect menu, and once applied, Live Effects are listed in the Appearance palette and can be edited or deleted at any time. Additionally, you can apply multiple Live Effects to a single target.

It's also important to realize that you can apply Live Effects to type without needing to convert to outlines. As you make changes to the text, the applied effect updates. This makes it easy to apply warp and 3D effects to text, and more importantly, it allows you to work with editable text.