3D Can – Create the Object

This tutorial will show you how to create a 3D beverage can in Illustrator for use in an After Effects marketing video like this one:

Create a 3D Can Object In Illustrator

After you’ve designed your can full wrap, we’ll create a realistic 3D beverage can in Adobe Illustrator using the 3D and Materials engine. Here are the settings in a visual (written instructions are below it).

Download the 3D Can and 3D Pop Top files here:

1. Create the Profile (The Vector Path)

• Create a new document in Illustrator: 800 x 2000 pixels, RGB, 72ppi resolution.
• Draw half the silhouette: Use the Pen Tool (P) to draw a vertical profile of exactly half the can in vector.
• Keep it simple: Include the slight inward curve at the bottom and the “neck” at the top.
• Stroke, no fill: Apply a light gray stroke (#CCCCCC) and ensure there is no fill color.

2. Apply the 3D Effect

• Select the half can drawing.
• Go to Effect > 3D and Materials > Revolve.
• In the Object tab, ensure the “Offset Direction” is set to the correct edge (usually the Right Edge) to wrap the path into a cylinder.

3. Dial in the Aluminum Finish

Switch to the Materials tab within the 3D panel:

• Base Material: Choose “Default”.
• Metallic: Crank this slider up to 1.0.
• Roughness: Set this between 0.2 and 0.4. Lower values make it “shiny/mirror-like,” while higher values create that “brushed/matte” look. I preferred the brushed/matte look.

4. Lighting for Realism

Switch to the Lighting tab:

• Intensity: Increase to brighten the highlights. I chose 60%.
• Rotation: 100%.
• Height: 50°.
• Softness: 50%.
• Check Ambient Light and set Intensity to 50%

5. In the Render Settings (click the down arrow in the upper right)

• Turn Ray Tracing “on”
• Quality: High
• Check Reduce Noise
• Click Render

6. Wrap Your Label Design Around the Can

• In Illustrator, with your 3D can file open
• File > Place your can full wrap design into your 3D can file (I suggest fully rasterizing and flattening your can design in Photoshop before placing it. Leave it as a .psd file.
• Window > Links and embed your image by selecting it, and in the flyout menu select Embed Image(s). Choose Flatten Layers to a Single Image. Click OK.
• Go to Window > Symbols and drag your placed full wrap can design into it to create a symbol
• In the Symbols Options panel, choose Export Type: Graphic, Symbol Type: Static Symbol
• Click OK
• Window > 3D and Materials, and click the Materials tab and then the Graphics tab below it.
• Select your full wrap design symbol to apply it to the can
• Click and drag the wrapped design to position it accurately on the 3D can.

7. Creating the Can’s Pop Top

Because the can’s top is a flat surface with complex cutouts, it’s best to create it as a 2D vector graphic first, then apply depth with 3D Inflate, export it as a 3D object, and then attach it to the 3D can in After Effects.

1. Draw the pop-top shape in vector
2. Select the five shapes and make a compound path
3. Fill it with #CCCCCC (light gray), no stroke
4. Select the grouped pop-top shape
5. Under the dropdown menu: Effect > 3D Materials > Inflate
6. You can see the rest of the 3D settings below, along with the final button to click (Export 3D object…)

Here’s a screen capture of my workspace in Illustrator to show you:

8. Export 3D Object(s)

• Select your can on the pasteboard
• In the 3D and Materials panel under the Object tab: select Export 3D object…
• Select your can or top-top asset (Rename it here before moving on)
• Select Format: .gltf
• Click: Export

• Next, choose your destination folder, and click Choose

This will export them as GLTF files (3D object file format) for use in After Effects

Well done!