Learn how to create a sparkling disco ball in Adobe Illustrator with this step-by-step tutorial. From drawing the basic shape to adding highlights and reflections, discover the techniques needed to bring your disco ball to life.
Let’s have a look at how you can create a disco ball using simple techniques. Make a new document. Create a rectangular shape. The one I chose is of 175*175px. Fill the shape with bright radial gradient. You need to rasterise the image. For that, go to Object-Rasterise in the top menu and click OK without changing anything else. Broaden your rectangle a little (~150%).
You can change the number by navigating to Filter-Create-Object Mosaic. Here is what I chose:
Tile spacing = 1px for both width and height
Number of Tiles =30 (again for both)
Check ‘Delete Raster’ box.
Wow you have got a nice mosaic. Now you have to reduce the size of the image back to 175*175px.
You have got a nice mosaic. Now you have to reduce the size of the image back to 175*175px." width="375" height="262" />
Pick the rectangle and drag and drop it in the Symbols panel.
Make a circle. The one I made is 175*175px. Create a copy of the circle. Using the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow) delete the left anchor point of the circle. We will need the full circle later on so don’t delete it.
Make a circle. Create a copy of the circle. Using the Direct Selection Tool delete the left anchor point of the circle.
Navigate to Effect-3D – Revolve. Change the numbers at the place indicated in the picture below. Convert the Surface to “No Shading” and move on to Map Art.
Navigate to Effect-3D – Revolve.
From the Map Art window’s drop-down menu select the mosaic symbol we created earlier. You can increase or decrease its size.
From the Map Art window’s drop down menu select the mosaic symbol
Navigate to the Object – Expand Appearance. Now we have to delete all the unwanted things from the picture. Choose the sphere and press Ctrl-Shift-G three times. Then click on the sphere and move it to another side. Select and delete the unwanted stuff.
Choose the sphere
Now select the circle we made earlier (the one we kept aside before creating the 3d effect). Fill that circle with similar radial gradient. Place it under the mosaic (Ctrl + Shift + [). Using the align panel (Shift+F7) align them.
Select the circle we made earlier. Fill that circle with similar radial gradient.
Release the Clipping Mask and Ungroup tiles
Release the Clipping Mask and Ungroup tiles (Ctrl+Shift+G). It’s time to bring your imagination to the front to make the ball look more shiny and real. Select some of the tiles in the lightest area of the ball. To highlight the tiles, navigate to Live Colour (Edit-Edit Colours- Recolour Artwork). Click on Edit (1), then Link Harmony Colours (2). Increase the Brightness to maximum (100%). Decrease the saturation to 30-40% or more/less depending on the colour you chose.
To highlight the tiles navigate to Live Colour
Choose another tile. Go to Edit colours again and experiment with the colours (make them darker or lighter. Try not to change anything else than Brightness and Saturation unless you want the disco ball to be more colourful. Repeat the action until you arrive at a good result.
Choose another tile. Go to Edit colours again and experiment with the colours
Let’s add some sparkles to the disco ball. With the Star Tool (see numbers for use below) draw a 4 points star. Scale it to 50%. Copy and paste it in front (Ctrl+F). Then rotate it 90 degrees and again scale it to 50%. Place the sparkles on the highlighted area of your disco ball.
Add some sparkles to the disco ball. With the Star Tool
To give it a more effective look, add a holder. A simple rectangular with gradient fill will do. And your disco ball is ready.
Tutorial for Creating a Disco Ball Has Be Implemented
