Adobe Illustrator Tutorial: Create a Vector Folder Icon

Check out this nice little tutorial on creating a fully vector, shiny, folder icon using Adobe Illustrator CS4. This tutorial is compatible with older versions of Adobe Illustrator as well.

We will talk about using gradients and subtle shadows to create the illusion of depth in an illustration as well as masking different effects to get both a neat little text effect and a shiny surface on our folder.

Sit back and enjoy or follow along for a complete learning experience!

Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/tutvid
Be sure to check out http://www.tutvid.com
Check out the blog @ http://tutvid.wordpress.com

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Adobe
• Illustrator
• Tutorial
• Training
• Vector
• Icon
• Create
• Make
• CS4
• CS3
• Artwork
• Illustrate
• Graphic
• Design
• Web
• Vexel
• Vectorize

[shakaama]

your original has the light on top of the T's, so i guess you did that after the letters.

[tutvid]

@shakaama Yep, just needed to drag them below.

N.

[AndersTherkildsen]

As usual a great tutorial!

Just a beginners question, if i want to decrease 15 px rounded corner, to a higher or lower value, is there a way to do so, without having to click and insert the values each time.

- Please reply to my post, so i get the notification - Thanks!

[tutvid]

@AndersTherkildsen Sure, just click with the Rounded Rectangle Tool and set the exact corner you want.

N.

[kickit246]

This vid is awesome. So is this something that you can set as a desktop icon or something? Replace the other folder icons with this one? If so, that is freaking awesome!!! Once I get a good grasp on photoshop, I'll probably start up on Illustrator. Thanks tutvid :)

[tutvid]

@kickit246 Sure you could if you like! You would need to convert to an ICO however.

N.

[Fancylooks]

You are very good explaining everystep. I use illustrator since the 88 version, but I wouldn't be able to explain every step I do or what keys I press, I just do it without looking and if somebody asks me how do I do it I am unable to answer and they may think I don't want to help them and that I am rude. You are so lucky to have that much control!

[joeygart]

That's an awesome video again from you.

[BatusaiJack]

rounded rectangle

[TheEBookZone]

Now... Here's some Homework using the skills you learned today... Inside the Folder, create a nice looking Sheet of Paper sticking out of the folder...

[mwproductions09]

absolutly brilliant tutorial, i found this easy to use and understand. The fact that you also give the keyboard shortcuts is very very helpful. Thanks! :)

[REMCUREBOY]

once again another tutorial. wayyyy too fast and confusing.

[beatsme991]

i was just wondering, can you tell me how to make it into an icon?

[stianplay123]

works with illustrater cs5?

[JBRgaming]

srry what do i need to press on the end to make the 2 t letters in one?

srry but im dutch so i dont know what letter it is...

do i need to press ctrl and what letter?

B.T.W. NICE NICE NICE!:)

[satrsmndri]

First of all, a big thank you for these tutorials. Something I can't get right...When I delete the mask after releasing the opacity mask and after I delete the drop shadow in the Appearance window, I still have a drop shadow on the sides and bottom of the image. It looks like those are supposed to be gone after doing those steps but I can't seem to get rid of it on mine.

[Blackmark52]

No complaints about the instructions (other than misleadingly calling this fully vector art when it uses multiple raster effects). Your tutorials are among the best to be found. But I just gotta say: have you never seen a file folder?