how to draw 3d shapes on isometric dot paper

This is the 2d part of a serial of tutorials I'm doing about creating isometric illustrations in Adobe Illustrator. If you missed that first tutorial, I advise you outset with Working with Orthographic Projections and Basic Isometrics. Let's get started!

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Introduction

In the last tutorial, I covered how to brand an isometric grid and build simple blocky shapes on it. In this tutorial, I'chiliad going to talk about some other method of creating isometric shapes that doesn't require a grid and is much more useful if your objects are circuitous or curvy.

When creating a complicated isometric illustration, it's all-time to begin by breaking down your object into its simplest parts. This will assistance to make the project more approachable. It's possible to make the nigh complex objects entirely on an isometric grid using the method I discussed in the last tutorial. There is another method that is much more useful for creating curvy or complex isometric objects in Adobe Illustrator. I'k going to call this method scale, shear, rotate, or SSR.

The basic idea behind the SSR method is that by using tools in Adobe Illustrator, y'all can place an object onto an isometric plane without using a grid. This method is nearly useful for curvy or circuitous objects, but it will piece of work for annihilation. I'll begin simply by making an isometric cube. Follow the steps below for the SSR Method.

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i. How to Create an Isometric Cube

Step 1

Create a 4-inch square with your Rectangle Tool.

Step two

With the square selected, double-click on your Scale tool. Scale the square 86.062% vertically.

Stride 3

With your object selected, double-click on the Shear tool and shear the object 30 degrees.

Stride 4

With the object selected, double-click on the Rotate tool and rotate information technology -30 degrees. You accept now created the meridian of your cube.

Step 5

To create the left side of the cube, brainstorm with a 4-inch square. Calibration vertically 86.062%, Shear -30 degrees, and Rotate -30 degrees.

Stride six

Use the Selection Tool (black arrow) to line up the forepart corner with the top of the cube.

To create the right side of the cube, begin with a 4-inch square. Scale vertically 86.062%, Shear 30 degrees, and Rotate 30 degrees.

Step 7

Next, movement the pieces into place with your Choice Tool. You have now created an isometric cube without using a grid.

The power of this method becomes apparent when you try to create an object that would exist very difficult to construct on a grid. This method but works if y'all take a prepare of orthographic projections to work with.

2. How to Make a Stratocaster Using the SSR Method

For this example I'm going to build the body of a guitar. To brand this complex shape in isometric using simply a filigree would be a claiming. The complex curves and compound shapes would be very difficult to recreate accurately.

Step i

There are many ways to make an orthographic projection, depending on your object. You can look online for a prepare of blueprints, you could trace a photo, and if you lot own the object you could take information technology apart and measure out it. Use whatever method works best for your projection.

One quick Google search, and I've found the perfect set of mill blueprints for the "62 vintage re-issue Fender Stratocaster." These blueprints are much more than detailed than I need, simply you can be as precise as you'd similar for your own projects. Having too much data about your object is never a bad thing.

Footstep 2

Trace your blueprints. I'grand going to trace just the data I need to complete my isometric, and I'grand going to simplify parts of the design.

Step three

In one case you've chosen your orientation, you can scale, shear, rotate (SSR) your lesser plane.

You can cheque your work by comparing any edges that in the orthographic are 90 degrees or 180 degrees. These edges will now fall onto an isometric grid; they will either be on the 30-degree or 150-caste angle.

Step 4

Now that you've created your base, you lot have something to work from. If you have the side view of the orthographic and scale, shear, rotate (SSR) it onto the isometric aeroplane, you lot tin can effigy out the thickness of the guitar trunk.

Pace 5

Line upwardly the bottom edge of the guitar trunk with the corner of the orthographic side view.

Step 6

Next, you lot desire to re-create the outline of the guitar body and move it upwardly to the tiptop edge of the side view. To practice this, use your Selection Tool and click and drag on the border of the outline. Before letting go, engage the Option key to brand a re-create. You should also use the Shift key to constrain the movement. Property the Shift key while moving the shape will ensure it stays lined upward with the original.

Footstep 7

Now, yous've blocked out the top and bottom planes of the guitar body. The side by side step is to cut out the spot where the neck is inset. Get-go by connecting the height and bottom planes of the neck opening and so that it's easier to meet the area that you are working on.

Step 8

Using the side view, you can mark off how deep the neck cutaway goes into the body. You lot now accept three planes: the meridian, lesser, and depth of the cutaway.

Step 9

The side by side pace is to apply the Scissors tool to cutting away all the excess lines yous don't need anymore. This is oft the hardest part for an artist new to technical cartoon. All the overlapping lines and shapes tin can exist overwhelming. But if you take your time and outset with the big, clear shapes, it volition aid to clean up the more circuitous areas.

Step ten

After immigration abroad all the lines you don't need anymore, connect your corners and terminate the shapes.

Add some line quality, and you're finished.

Determination

You take now finished the body of the guitar. Y'all could proceed and consummate the entire guitar—the same steps would use for each part. This is an example of an exploded isometric of a Stratocaster I did a few years ago with this method.

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Desire to Learn More?

Learn more about isometric vector fine art with these tutorials and resource:

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Source: https://design.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-create-advanced-isometric-illustrations-using-the-ssr-method--vector-1058