Tutorials: Beginner’s First Project in Design 3D CX 8

Getting Started Series
First Project
Design 3D CX 8 for Mac

This supplement bottle project will show you how to import Adobe Illustrator artwork, turn it into a three-dimensional model, apply a label to the bottle, and setup a hero shot to create a final rendering. Along the way you’ll learn the basics of the user interface and how to work in 3D space.

Design 3D CX 8 users: These videos are part of the Getting Started series, and can also be accessed using the Design 3D CX 8 “Help” menu.

Non-Design 3D CX 8 users: For CX 7 and SE 7 users – Though this tutorial was created using Design 3D CX 8 for Mac, users of Design 3D CX 7 and Design 3D SE 7 (on the Mac or PC) can follow along with this project by downloading the appropriate files below and following the extra instructions above the videos.

Click on the images below to play the videos. Be sure to follow the steps in bold below before watching each video.

Step 1: Download the files for your version of Design 3D (CX 8, CX 7 or SE)

CX 8 Users: Download the First Project Tutorial Assets here

CX 7 & SE 7 Users: Download the First Project Tutorial Assets here
First Project: “Introduction” Video:

Step 2: From the downloaded files, open the file named “Start File”

CX 7 and SE 7 users: Where the video calls for you to import the Adobe Illustrator file named “Bottle Outline.ai”, you’ll instead choose the EPS file named “Bottle Outline.eps” (from the “Getting Started Tutorial Assets” folder you downloaded). EPS (encapsulated Postscript) is an alternative output format for Adobe Illustrator files. All versions of Design 3D can open EPS files as model data, while only CX can open native Adobe Illustrator (.ai) files.

Import Illustrator File Video:

Step 3: Importing and applying the texture elements

CX 7 and SE 7 users: Where the video calls for you to load an image into the Texture – the Adobe Illustrator file named “Texture – Supplement Label.ai” – you’ll instead choose the Adobe Photoshop file named “Texture – Supplement Label.psd” (from the “Getting Started Tutorial Assets” folder you downloaded). Adobe Illustrator import is limited to model import in CX 7 and is not available in Design 3D SE 7. However, Adobe Photoshop import is available for textures in all versions of Design 3D. Also, where the video refers to “LiveRay” for viewing the progress of texturing work, you’ll need to use the rendering tool from the bottom of the tool palette in order to get a finished preview of your texture work.

Add Textures Video:

Step 4: Rendering the final shot

CX 7 and SE 7 users: Where the video refers to “LiveRay” for previewing your final rendering you’ll need to use the rendering tool from the bottom of the tool palette in order to do test renderings.

Render Project Video: