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In this Illustrator tutorial we will learn about the basic principles of creating small icons. Turns out, Adobe Illustrator is suitable for creating pixel icons and it is not so difficult to make them. Let's get started!
Step 1
Start with the creation of a registration icon 128 x 128 px in size. It will represent a three-dimensional image of a key. To learn how to create realistic three-dimensional icons that were described in detail in the previous tutorial of this series, you can find by clicking on the following link. The way of creating a key icon is the same, so I will only mention here the main stages of its creation. Create shapes that form the key with
Applicable to the created shape 3D Extrude & Bevel effect (Object > 3D > Extrude & Bevel …).
Convert 3D object into a group of regular vector objects (Object > Expand Appearance).
Step 2
When we create icons, the size of vector objects has to be finite. This allows us avoid creating unnecessary items, and even work less neat, saving us a lot of time. Usually they create a bounding square of the required size and draw an icon inside it. But for these purposes, we will be use the artboard, which will give us the advantages of which you'll learn a little bit later. Create an artboard with the help of the Artboard Tool 128 x 128 px in size that corresponds to the size of the icons being created.
In this tutorial we will be creating icons of three different sizes, so we create three more artboards, which will be 64 x 64 px, 32 x 32 px and 16 x 16 px in size.
Step 3
Place the group created in the first step into the first artboard and change its size so that it is close to the size of the artboard.
If we are using an artboard as a bounding rectangle, we can quickly view the created icon in its actual size (100% scale) using the shortcut Cmd / Ctrl + 1, and fit on screen using the Cmd / Ctrl + 0.
In addition, you can switch between artboards, which means between the icons of different sizes, using the Artboard Navigation on the Status bar.
Step 4
For better surface identification color them with different colors. Create additional elements, duplicating the existing elements, and using the tools of creating shapes, such as the Pathfinder panel and Shape Builder Tool.
Using simple linear gradients, fill the key shapes in order to add volume. In this work we always consider the position of the light source.
Step 5
Create glares on the metal surfaces with the help of objects filled with black and white gradients, to which the Screen blending mode is used.
Use the Multiply blending mode for the shadows.
Create the drop shadow from the key using a blend object (Object > Blend > Make), which consists of ellipses with gray shading. The larger lower ellipse should have 0% opacity.
Key icon 128 x 128 px in size is ready.
You can read full version of this vector tutorial on AstuteGraphics.com
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