Inflate tool in Adobe Illustrator

[@720Inc-l5y]

was there a way to achieve this effect before the new illustrator update?

[@AdobeIllustratorforScientists]

Yes, but it doesn’t work as well. I explain it in this video at 10:00. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qImWlmeipseVnNksi=LySSMK3TT7Pi33mi

[@aditiupadhyay4362]

Hi, is there a way to inflate both sides to make it more like a true 3d tube? Right now its only inflating the front.

[@AdobeIllustratorforScientists]

Not that I know of. They really need to add the ability to inflate both sides. If you just want a cylinder you can use the 3D revolve (see my video on ion channels). You can also manually add the shading. I do manual shading on one of my videos drawing neurons.

[@jakelloren3255]

what version of illustrator is this im using 2021 and i cant seem to find the inflate feature

[@AdobeIllustratorforScientists]

I am currently using 2022, but I made the video in 2021. Nowadays you buy a subscription so it’s always up to date. The inflate is in the effects menu under 3D effects

[@JerseyCreations]

Hey! What file format do you need to use to be able to use inflate? Cause evrytime I add an image it says I can't inflate that image. It days inflate is only for certain files. Can somebody explain what file format would inflate?

[@AdobeIllustratorforScientists]

My understanding is that the inflate tool can only be used with vector objects (squares, rectangles, lines) and not pixelated objects (photographs). You could do an image trace of the photograph, but I doubt that would look good.

[@JerseyCreations]

@@AdobeIllustratorforScientists gotcha. Cause I sliced letters into images and I would like the entire letter to be inflated not the tiny image inside. But it doesn't let me even inflate the entire letter either. Oh well. Maybe AI isn't for me

[@AdobeIllustratorforScientists]

It sounds like you are working with images, in which case it would work better to use Adobe Photoshop. See this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3WclmpjZ7GMg8k

[@JerseyCreations]

@@AdobeIllustratorforScientists gotcha. I'll check that video out. Thanks!

[@moveswithmaci]

hi new to adobe and trying to do this - i have no effect option when i select the text... any ideas?

[@AdobeIllustratorforScientists]

When you select the object, go up to the menu at the top of the screen. You should see File, Edit, Object, Type, Select, Effect, View, Window, Help. Select Effect, then select 3D and Materials, then Inflate.

[@eliraramos2160]

why mine doesn't have inflate @@AdobeIllustratorforScientists

[@te3rafleh_191]

is inflate material on adobe 2017 ?

[@AdobeIllustratorforScientists]

I don't think so.

[@jeffersonmarvel5189]

didnt found inflate in illustrator 2019

[@AdobeIllustratorforScientists]

It is a new feature. I think it was introduced 2022