Importing Vectors to 3D

• Updated: Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 | 3:28PM
• Categories: Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk Max, Tutorials,

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Introduction: In this tutorial I’ll be explaining how to export vectors out of Illustrator and then import them into 3ds Max. This is useful for creating 3d logos based off of 2d vectors.

Step 1:
I begin by opening my vector file in illustrator. With all the objects selected I then click “Create Outlines” which is found under the “Type” section of the menu bar.

Step 2:
Making sure that all the outlines just created are selected, I choose “File” and click on “Save As” Once the dialog pops up I then save the file with a different name usually something with “I8″ at the end to help label which file will be imported later on into 3ds Max. For example this file will be saved as JadeSwell-I8.ai. Then hit save. Now another window called “Illustrator Options” will pop up. The only thing we need to change here is the “Version”. Change it to version “Illustrator 8″ then hit “OK” and save.

Step 3:
No moving into the 3ds Max program. Go to “File” then choose “Import” Then select the file we just saved out of Illustrator with the suffix “-I8.ai”

Step 4:
Once imported select the object and go to the modifier panel and choose extrude. That will create a polygons that will then make of the contents of the logo.

Conclusion:
This is a great way to turn a simple 2d graphic into a 3d logo.