Member Avatar for minimogul

I am making a logo in illustrator its a mix of text and symbols. I used two arrows from the swatches got the basic layout for the logo. When I go to add effects it looks very bad because I cannot get the text and the symbols to group and join as one. I would like to do this in a way so that everything looks like its one big image. I have tried tracing it using the pen tool and going over everything an got another problem.The problem I am having is that when I apply the 3d filter and apply an illumination to the logo it becomes very grainy. I don't know what to do.

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Short diagnosis and a practical fix.

The visible "lines" are seams: Illustrator computes lighting/shading per top-level filled object, so adjacent pieces can keep different shading even when grouped. That, plus low raster-effect resolution or stray strokes/duplicate paths, explains the grainy, segmented look saw after applying 3D. was on the right track about arranging objects, but grouping alone doesn't always unify the rendered surface.

Try this workflow to get a single, seamless 3D piece:

  • Switch to Outline mode (View > Outline) to reveal duplicates, stray points, and overlapping edges.
  • Select everything and use the Appearance panel to remove any prior per-object 3D effects (clear appearances).
  • If the artwork must be one continuous face, merge fills into a single path with Pathfinder > Unite or the Shape Builder (Shift-M). For shapes that need holes, make a Compound Path afterwards.
  • Remove or convert strokes (Object > Path > Outline Stroke) before merging so strokes do not leave hairline seams.
  • Once you have one clean path, apply the 3D effect once — shading will be calculated across the unified shape.

To address graininess: raise Effect > Document Raster Effects Settings to 300 ppi (or higher for export), or in the 3D options try a flat surface (no automatic shading) and paint gradients manually on expanded faces (Object > Expand Appearance) for full control.

If the arrows came from libraries or symbol/arrowhead sources, expand or break the symbol link first so you can merge geometry. Make a backup copy before destructive operations. This approach removes seams and gives predictable, high-quality shading without post-raster smoothing.

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Member Avatar for macgurl70

Try this:
1. Convert text to paths - it's easier than tracing the font.
2. Group all of the items together - if you are just selecting them all and then using the 3D effect it will transform each element independently. If you have a group (under the menu item "Object" Choose "Group")
Once grouped it will transform all of the objects together as one item.

Attached is an example - showing how transforming while the elements are ungrouped will transform each individual element separately.

The other one shows how grouping the elements will change the way the effect takes place - it now transforms all of the elements together as one.

logo-test.jpg 58.5 KB
commented: Thanks for all of your help forgot to give you points :) +1
Member Avatar for minimogul

I did everything you said but when I add an effect I can see the lines dividing it. I put it with a 3d look and put it so that that everything looks like its part of one but no luck because you can see small line of each individual element in the group. When I apply effects it does it for each element and doesn't do it for the whole thing. Thanks for responding to the thread.

Member Avatar for macgurl70

I don't really understand what you are tryin to explain then.

You will be able to see the lines of each one - and it depends on the fill or stroke you choose for the element.

Are you wanting to see a truly smooth transition? You could try creating the 3D effect in Illustrator and then smoothing it in Photoshop. I know Photoshop has a 3D filter - I just have not used it much so wouldn't be able to tell you more about it.

Member Avatar for logoonlinepros

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Member Avatar for minimogul

I don't really understand what you are tryin to explain then.

You will be able to see the lines of each one - and it depends on the fill or stroke you choose for the element.

Are you wanting to see a truly smooth transition? You could try creating the 3D effect in Illustrator and then smoothing it in Photoshop. I know Photoshop has a 3D filter - I just have not used it much so wouldn't be able to tell you more about it.

Now that you have explained it i got everything and how to do it thank you very much for all your help. My 3d logo doesn't look very good so I switched to a web 2.0 type logo thanks for everything.

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