Doing anything in Adobe Illustrator really does take two times longer as it can be a little tricky to get your hands around. In the following tutorial you will learn how to Create Realistic 3D Calculator in Adobe Illustrator.

In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a realistic 3D calculator by using some basic tools, the Pathfinder palette, gradients, duplicated shapes and 3D effect. So let’s start.

Final Result

Let’s see what you will be creating in this tutorial.

Create a Realistic 3D Calculator in Illustrator

Create a New Document

1. Launch Illustrator and then press (Ctrl + N) to create a New document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, enter 680 in the width box and 570 in the height box then click on the Advanced button. Select RGB, Screen (72ppi) and make sure that the Align New Objects to Pixel Grid box is unchecked before you click OK.

Create the Main Shapes

2. Start with drawing two objects (576 by 336px and 576 by 112px) using the Rectangle Tool (M). Next place two newly created objects to the correct positions as shown in the second image.

3. Pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and use this tool to select two left anchor points highlighted with magenta, then move them 94px to the right. Next select two right anchor points highlighted with magenta and move them 94px to the left. Continue with the Direct Selection Tool (A), select the left-top anchor point of the smaller object and move it 116px to the right. Then select the right-top anchor point and move it 116px to the left. In the end your objects should look like the third image shown.

4. Now select two newly created objects, duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) them once and then hide (Ctrl +3) the copies. With the help of the Line Segment Tool (\) create two horizontal lines and place them to the positions like you see in the image, then lock these lines (Ctrl +2). Next pick the Add Anchor Points Tool (+) and add four anchor points in the points highlighted with magenta. After you are done adding the anchor points, press (Ctrl +Alt +2) to unlock the horizontal lines and then remove them.

5. Press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show two objects hidden in the step 4. Reselect the smaller object and go to the Effect > Stylize > Round Corners… Enter a 11px Radius and then click OK. Next reselect the bigger object and go to the Effect > Stylize > Round Corners… Enter a 21px Radius and then click OK. Finally reselect two red objects and go to the Object > Expand Appearance.

6. With the Line Segment Tool (\) create a vertical line and place it to the position like you see in the image, then lock this line (Ctrl +2). Next pick the Add Anchor Points Tool (+) and add an anchor point in the point highlighted with magenta. After you are done adding the anchor points, press (Ctrl +Alt +2) to unlock the vertical line and then remove it. Now reselect the newly created anchor point and move it 7px down. Make sure that the newly created anchor point is still selected, click on the "Convert selected anchor points to smooth" button from the Properties bar. Next pick the Direct Selection Tool (A), hold down the Shift key, then click on the right handle of the newly created anchor point and move it to the right to increase the length of this handle. Next hold down the Shift key, then click on the left handle and move it to the left.

7. Select two red objects and lock (Ctrl +2) them. Next select four anchor points of the black objects highlighted with blue and then remove them. Before you continue press (Ctrl +Alt +2) to unlock two red objects. Now select the bigger black object and the bigger red object, then open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click on the Unite button. Finally select two remaining objects and click on the Unite button. In the end your new objects should look like the fifth image shown.

8. Fill the smaller object with R=92, G=92, B=88. Next fill the remaining object with R=193, G=198, B=200. Now select the bigger shape, duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F, Ctrl +F) it twice and hide a copy (Ctrl +3). Select the remaining copy and replace the existing color of it with R=107, G=113, B=113. Next move the newly created shape 20px down and then send it to back (Ctrl +Shift +Left Square Bracket). Keep this shape selected, go to the Object > Transform > Scale… In the Scale dialog box, check the Non-Uniform and enter a 95 in the Horizontal box, then click OK. Now reselect two big shapes and go to the Object > Blend > Blend Options… Follow the data as shown in the fourth image and then click OK. Next go to the Object > Blend > Make (Ctrl +Alt +B).

9. Press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the shape hidden in the step 8 and then replace the existing color of it with the linear gradient as shown below.

10. We are going to start making highlights and shadows on the main shapes to give them more of a 3D look. First using the Line Segment Tool (\) create a horizontal line, with a 2px stroke (R=0, G=0, B=0) and no fill. Next pick the Pen Tool (P) and use this tool to create three paths like you see in the third image below. Once your paths are drawn, select two red paths, fill them with none and add a 2px stroke (R=129, G=129, B=130), then apply the Width Profile 4 for the result. Keep the resulting objects selected, go to the Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur… Enter a 3px Radius and then click OK. Now select the blue path, fill it with none and add a 3px stroke (R=242, G=246, B=246). Next apply the Width Profile 1 and a 4px Gaussian Blur effect for the resulting object. Continue create a curved path with the Pen Tool (P) like in the sixth image below. Once your path is drawn, fill it with none and add a 2px stroke (apply the linear gradient across stroke), then apply the Width Profile 3 for the result.

11. Double-click on the blended object creeated in the step 8, select the darker shape and press (Ctrl +C) to copy it. Next double-click on the anywhere outside of the blended object, then press (Ctrl +F) to paste the copy in front. Replace the existing color of this copy with R=0, G=0, B=0, reduce the Opacity to 80% and then apply a 3px Gaussian Blur effect for the resulting shape. Finally send this new shape to back (Ctrl +Shift +Left Square Bracket).

Create the Keypad

12. With the Rectangle Tool (M) create a 60 by 60px object. Make sure that the newly created object is still selected, go to the Effect > Stylize > Round Corners… Enter a 5px Radius and click OK, then go to the Object > Expand Appearance. Fill the new object with R=101, G=105, B=97, duplicate the resulting shape once and replace the existing color of the copy with R=43, G=43, B=39. Next move the resulting shape 5px down and 2px to the right, then send it backward (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket).

13. Reselect the newly created shape created in the step 12, go to the Object > Path > Offset Path… Enter a 1px Offset and then click OK. Move the new shape 1px down and 1px to the right and then replace the existing color with R=0, G=0, B=0.

14. Select the lighter shape created in the step 12, go to the Object > Path > Offset Path… Enter a -1px Offset and click OK, then hide this new shape. Reselect two shapes created in the step 12 and create a blend between them. Now press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the shape hidden in this step, replace the existing color of this shape with R=72, G=73, B=66 and go to the Effect > Stylize > Feather… Enter a 8px Radius and click OK, then move the resulting shape 1px up. Finally select and group (Ctrl + G) all shapes created from beginning step 12 to this time, then name this group "button_01".

15. Next come the second button. With the Rectangle Tool (M) create a 60 by 60px object. Make sure that the newly created object is still selected, go to the Effect > Stylize > Round Corners… Enter a 5px Radius and click OK, then go to the Object > Expand Appearance. Fill the new object with R=76, G=78, B=77, duplicate the resulting shape once and replace the existing color of the copy with R=43, G=43, B=39. Next move the resulting shape 5px down and 1px to the right, then send it backward (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket). Make sure that the newly created shape is still selected, go to the Object > Path > Offset Path… Enter a 1px Offset and then click OK. Move the new shape 1px down and 1px to the right and then replace the existing color with R=0, G=0, B=0.

16. Select the "1" shape created in the step 15, go to the Object > Path > Offset Path… Enter a -1px Offset and click OK, then hide this new shape. Reselect two shapes ("1" and "2") created in the step 15 and create a blend between them. Now press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the shape hidden in this step, replace the existing color of this shape with R=50, G=53, B=49 and go to the Effect > Stylize > Feather… Enter a 8px Radius and click OK, then move the resulting shape 1px up. Finally select and group (Ctrl + G) all shapes created from beginning step 15 to this time, then name this group "button_02".

17. To create the third button, first select the group "button_02" and make a copy of this group (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +V). Double-click on the newly created group and then double-click on the blended object. Select the darker shape and move it 1px to the left, double-click on the anywhere outside of the blended object. Next double-click on the group again, select the black object and move it 2px to the left, then double-click on the anywhere outside of the group just edited. Name this new group "button_03".

18. Select three newly created groups, open the Align palette (Window/ Align) and click on the "Horizontal Align Left" button, then click on the "Vertical Align Top" button. Select the group "button_03" and move it 170px to the right. Next select the group "button_02" and move it 92px to the right.

19. Open the Character palette (Window > Type > Character) and then set the data as shown below. Next pick the Type Tool (T), simply click on your artboard and add the "0" number. Make two copies of this number and then place them to the correct positions as shown below.

20. Select three newly created buttons and go to the Object > Transform > Move. Follow the data as shown below and then click Copy. Next press (Ctrl +D) three times to get the results like you see in the image below. Now select three top buttons (except the "0" numbers) and go to the Object > Transform > Transform Each… Enter a 80 in the Vertical box and then click OK.

21. Show the Rulers (View > View Rulers > Show Ruler) or (Ctrl +R). Next drag a vertical guide from the Rulers (if the guides locked, go to the View > Guides > Lock Guides) or (Ctrl +Alt + ;). Now select a button of the third column, hold down the Shift, click on the newly created guide, release the Shift and then click on the button again (to fixed its position). Next open the Align palette (Window > Align) and click on the "Horizontal Align Center" button. Now select two button columns like you see in the image below, pick the Reflect Tool (O), hold down the Alt and click on the newly created guide. In the Reflect box, check the Vertical and then click Copy. Next select all "0" numbers of two newly created columns and go to the Object > Transform > Transform Each… In the Transform Each dialog box, check the Reflect X and then click OK.

22. Select the bottom button of the second column (except the "0" number) and go to the Object > Transform > Transform Each… Follow the data as shown below and then click OK.

23. Follow the sequence of images and replace the "0" numbers with other numbers, letters and symbols. Now select all numbers, letters, symbols and then go to the Object > Expand Appearance. Next go to the Object > Expand and then click OK when the Expand box appear.

24. Select and group (Ctrl + G) all shapes created from beginning step 12 to this time. While the newly created group selected, go to the Effect > 3D > Rotate… Follow the data as shown below and then click OK. Finally place the result to the correct position like you see in the final image.

Create two switchers

25. With the help of the Rectangle Tool (M) create a 72 by 12px object. Keep the newly created object selected, go to the Effect > Stylize > Round Corners… Enter a 8px Radius and click OK, then go to the Object > Expand Appearance. Make sure that the resulting object is still selected, go to the Object > Transform > Scale… Check the Non-Uniform, enter a 150 in the Horizontal box and enter a 120 in the Vertical box, then click Copy. Next move the new object 10px to the right and go to the Object > Transform > Scale… Enter a 90 in the Scale box and then click Copy.

26. Focus on the right side of two red objects, select four anchor points highlighted with blue and click on the "Cut path at selected anchor points" button from the Properties bar. Next remove two small red objects.

27. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) click on the top anchor point highlighted with blue and move it up to the point highlighted with green. Next select the bottom anchor point highlighted with blue and move it down to the point highlighted with green. Now use the Direct Selection Tool (A) select two anchor points highlighted with black and then click on the "Connect selected end points" button from the Properties bar. Repeat the same thing for two anchor points highlighted with magenta.

28. Select the anchor point highlighted with magenta and move it 20px to the left. Now reselect the red object and fill it with the linear gradient. Next select the black object and fill it with the radial gradient.

29. Make a copy of the darker shape (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F). While this copy selected and go to the Object > Path > Offset Path… Enter a -1px Offset and click OK, then move the resulting shape 1px down. Next select two newly created shapes, open the Pathfinder palette (Window > Pathfinder) and click on the Minus Front button, then replace the existing color of the resulting shape with R=50, G=53, B=49.

30. Continue reselect the darker shape created in the step 28 and go to the Object > Transform > Transform Each… Enter the data as shown below and then click Copy. Next replace the existing color of the new shape with the linear gradient. Keep the resulting shape selected and go to the Object > Transform > Scale… Enter a 98 in the Scale box and then click OK. Next replace the existing color of the new shape with R=133, G=139, B=139.

31. With the Ellipse Tool (L) create a 16 by 12px object and then fill it with R=40, G=44, B=44. While the resulting shape selected, go to the Object > Transform > Scale… Enter a 92 in the Scale box and then click OK. Next replace the existing color of the new shape with R=58, G=60, B=62. Keep the new shape selected, duplicate it once, move the copy 6px up and then replace the existing color of it with R=128, G=130, B=133. Make sure that the resulting shape is still selected, duplicate it once and then hide the copy. Now select two newly created ellipses and create a blend between them. Next show the shape hidden in this step and go to the Object > Transform > Scale… Enter a 85 in the Scale box and then click OK. Replace the existing fill color of the new shape with the linear gradient, add a 2px stroke (R=118, G=120, B=128) and then apply the Width Profile 2 for the result.

32. Select and group (Ctrl + G) all shapes created from beginning step 30 to this time. Next reselect the darker shape created in the step 28 again, duplicate it once and then bring it to front (Ctrl +Shift +Right Square Bracket). Select two top anchor points of the new shape and move them 10px up. Now reselect the newly created shape and the newly created group, then go to the Object > Clipping Mask > Make (Ctrl +7). Finally select and group all shapes created from beginning step 25 to this time.

33. Reselect the new group and go to the Object > Transform > Reflect… Check the Vertical and then click Copy. Double-click on the new group, then select the shape like you see in the third image and remove it. Next select the shape as shown in the fifth image and replace the existing color of it with R=174, G=180, B=182.

34. Continue select the shape like you see in the first image below and then replace the existing color of it with the radial gradient. Next use the Direct Selection Tool (A) select all anchor points on the left side of two dark shapes and then move them 15px to the left. Now select all shapes as shown in the fourth image and then move them to the position as shown in the final image below. Finally, double-click on the anywhere outside of the group just edited.

35. Place two newly created groups to the correct positions as shown below.

36. To add some details, first create seven ellipses (R=92, G=92, B=88). Next open the Character palette (Window > Type > Character) and then set the data as shown in the second image below. Next pick the Type Tool (T), simply click on your artboard and add some numbers and letters, then place them to the correct positions as shown below. Now reselect all new numbers and letters, then go to the Object > Expand Appearance. While the results selected, go to the Object > Transform > Shear… Follow the data as shown in the third image and then click OK.

37. Repeat the same process to add these details on the left side of the calculator. At this point your calculator should look like in the second image below.

Create the Display Screen

38. With the Rectangle Tool (M) create a 358 by 60px object like below. Select the left-top anchor point of the new object and move it 10px to the right. Next select the right-top anchor point and move it 10px to the left. Now reselect the new object and go to the Effect > Stylize > Round Corners… Enter a 10px Radius and then click OK. Finally fill the resulting object with R=213, G=218, B=221 and add a 1px stroke (R=65, G=64, B=66).

39. Reselect the newly created shape and go to the Object > Transform > Scale… Check the Non-Uniform, enter a 95 in the Horizontal box and enter a 83 in the Vertical box, then click Copy. Replace the existing color of the new shape with R=159, G=188, B=167. Keep the resulting shape selected, open the Appearance palette (Window > Appearance) and click on the Round Corners section. In the Round Corners dialog, enter a 5px Radius and then click OK. Make sure that the resulting shape is still selected, go to the Effect > Stylize > Inner Glow. Follow the data as shown in the second image and then click OK.

40. Open the Character palette (Window > Type > Character) and then set the data as shown below. Next pick the Type Tool (T), simply click on your artboard and add the "8" number. Reselect the "8" number and go to the Object > Transform > Move. Enter a 24 in a Horizontal box and click Copy, then press (Ctrl +D) ten times. Reselect all newly created "8" numbers, group them and reduce the Opacity of this group to 20%, then name it "twelve_eights". Now make a copy (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +V) of the new group and change the Opacity of the copy to100%. Replace the "8" numbers of the new group with other numbers, then add some details like you see in the final image. Finally select and group (Ctrl +G) the new group and these newly created details, then name it "numbers".

41. Reselect the "twelve_eights" group and go to the Effect > Distort & Transform > Free Distort… In the Free Distort box, drag the right-top corner handle on the bounding box to the left, then click OK.

42. Reselect the "numbers" group and go to the Effect > Distort & Transform > Free Distort… In the Free Distort box, drag the right-top corner handle on the bounding box to the left, then click OK.

43. Before you continue, select and remove two eights of the "numbers" group. Next reselect two newly created groups, open the Align palette (Window > Align), click on the "Horizontal Align Right" button and then click on the "Vertical Align Bottom" button. Finally place these groups to the correct position as shown in the final image below.

44. Open the Character palette (Window > Type > Character) and then set the data as shown below. Next pick the Type Tool (T), click on your artboard and add the "Calculator" piece of text. Reselect the new text and go to the Effect > Distort & Transform > Free Distort… In the Free Distort box, drag the left-top corner handle on the bounding box to the right, then click OK. The result should look like the final image below.

45. To add some details, First pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and use this tool to create a 26 by 23px object, then fill the new object with the linear gradient. Keep the resulting shape selected, go to the Object > Transform > Move. Enter a 26 in the Horizontal box and click Copy, then press (Ctrl +D) twice times. Next pick the Line Segment Tool (\) and draw three vertical paths as shown below. Once your paths are drawn, fill them with none and add a 1px stroke (R=49, G=39, B=40). Now select all objects created in this step and group (Ctrl +G) them. Continue create another shape (110 by 25px) with the Rectangle Tool (M) and then fill it with R=35, G=31, B=32. Keep the resulting shape selected, hold down the Shift and click on the newly created group. Open the Align palette (Window > Align), click on the "Horizontal Align Center" button and click on the "Vertical Align Bottom" button, then go to the Effect > Distort & Transform > Free Distort. In the Free Distort box, drag the right-top corner handle on the bounding box to the left, then click OK. Finally place the result to the position as shown in the final image below.

Final Result

Here is what the completed design looks like. Hope you enjoy this tutorial.

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson. I hope you’ve discovered some useful things in this tutorial. The final result image is below. Enjoy!

Conclusion

As difficult as it looks I’m very sure if you follow my tutorial you will find a lot of help using your skills and images to produce your own creation! Ones again Thank you for using our tutorial, we will be very happy to answer any questions that you may have, You can simply leave a feedback and or a comment below.

Download Result Source Files

• Download .ai Source File (.zip, 1.93 MB)