what do you use for 3D logos and graphics?

[Cosmico]

Hi there.. I was wondering what do you guys use for 3D.

A logo like this:


a depth effect like in Jacob Cass' logo for D-Zyne:


or even a presentation like this one:



Should I get my hands dirty in MAX and VRay or is there something easier to use and more dedicated to graphics?!?

Thanks!

[jiaix]

The lower two are basic distortion-transform. (See the text warping more than the page?)
The upper one could be done with PS's extract tool. (But looking at reflections I'd say it's pure 2d build-up)
And of course there's always Blender for quick full 3d. (But 9/10 you'll have to retouch it up later in PS anyway)

[Cosmico]

anyone ever heard or used Strata?!?

[RoT]

Hi Cosmico

There are a lot of ways to do the 3D logos and 3D presentations and it depends on what kind of software do you know and what are you most comfortable to work with. The best way is to use a 3D software like 3D Studio Max/Maya/Lightroom/Blender/Cinema 4D for your visualizations like the 3rd example you posted, but modeling, texturing, lightning, etc . are involved in this process so its kinda long. This particular example is "drawn" in software like Photoshop/Photo Paint/etc. Everything is just drawn and visualized in perspective. You can always help yourself with 3D plugins for Photoshop or use the 3D stuff in Illustrator.

About the logos - don't forget that even if you render a logo in 3D software, in the end you have do deliver it in vector format, so the rendering can only help you see how it will look and then rework it in Illustrator/CorelDraw/Xara/etc. You can also use the 3D rotate included in Illustrator, as well as perspective transformations.

Here is a step by step example of recent logo that I did, which was supposed to has this 3D shiny look with infinity symbol incorporated.



For this particular example I used Illustrator and 3D Rotate.

[marzac2]

Did you use the perspective slider in 3D extrude to get the logo to look bent?

[RoT]

Did you use the perspective slider in 3D extrude to get the logo to look bent?

The perspective slider as well as some manual adjustments.

[jjyepez]

I use ElectricRain Swift 3D when it comes to a 3d artwork ... Nice results, simple interface and plenty of nice "helpers/pre-made fx".

Regards,
--
jjyepez

[nhr]

Very nice example RoT

[SuYoG]

yes get hand in to max and max would be enough to make a 3d much better for logo and stuff so carry on with it

[simpleart]

The first and the last image is made in either 3dmax or Maya, but in the middle is a very simple vector image. Check for Adobe Illustrator 3d functions. Even if you'll learn 3dmax or Maya witch are very very complex and hard to learn programs, you'll have to remake all what you made in vector format, othervise you can use only a rendered image, with no zoom functions.

[reccakeys]

Thats a very interesting information above there. I am a newbie at designing. May I know what are the software used for making such wonderful things like that?

[Droid]

I don't really like working in 3D, but if I have to, then Cinema 4D tends to be quite good for creating simple text, and then taking that into Photoshop.

[twinbrush]

The lower two are basic distortion-transform. (See the text warping more than the page?)
The upper one could be done with PS's extract tool. (But looking at reflections I'd say it's pure 2d build-up)
And of course there's always Blender for quick full 3d. (But 9/10 you'll have to retouch it up later in PS anyway)

Yup, i'd agree with that. In my opinion, it depends on the purpose of these...Id say these are more portfolio pieces and not so much the files that went to a client, i could be wrong of course, but it's something to bear in mind; If it's to showcase for yourself it might not need to be vector, and if you're comfortable with PS (or whatever program) then use it...play to your strengths.

If it does need to be vector, you could use blender or maybe 3Ds Max and export as ai paths maybe?
Been thinkin about that for a while...anyone tried that approach?

[arielforeman]

I use Cinema 4d

[Harcane]

I tend to use Photoshop for all of my Logo's and then use Adobe Illustrator to make Vector Graphics. If I need to 3D something which I don't often do, I will use the Bevel & Emboss Tool.

/Kieran.

[Chung Dha]

Just draw it and use my eye as to see stuff looks weird or not. Especially make way or own guides and lines to do perspective how most people had learned to draw perspective at Art school.

Cant stand the bunch of people saying they render the 3d logo out and put the name under it with photoshop. Those people I really disgust cause always those small jobs of companies having encountered these guys and have to make a proper Vector version of the logo so they can finally use it for proper printing.

Also using Electric Rain is not an option cause it does not show nice gradients it just awefull hard line interesting for Flash though. Could be for a certain look but not close to looking like glossy 3d.

Rot showed a certain way it could be done.

But big advice learn to once in a while draw something realistic with Illustrator then you learn how to draw 3d directly without having to take side roads with 3d programs.