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Illustrator Tutorial: How to Create a Zippo Lighter

Posted: 23 Dec 2013 06:42 AM PST

Doing anything in Adobe Illustrator really does take two times longer as it can be a little tricky to get your hands around. In the following tutorial you will learn how to create a zippo lighter in Adobe Illustrator.

For starters you will use basic tools (Rectangle, Ellipse, Pen tools) and some basic vector shape building techniques (Transform, Pathfinder, Offset Path…) you will easily create the shapes that you need. Next, you’ll see how you can add depth and shading for your shapes using complex gradients, the Blend options and some effects (Gaussian Blur, Grain…).

Final Result

Let's see what you will be creating in this tutorial.

Create a Zippo Lighter in Illustrator

Create a New Document

1. Launch Illustrator and then press (Ctrl + N) to create a New document. Select Pixels from the Units drop-down menu, enter 800 in the width box and 855 in the height box then click on the Advanced button. Select RGB, Screen (72ppi) and make sure that the Align New Objects to Pixel Grid box is unchecked before you click OK.

Create a New Document

Create the Bottom Case

2. The first thing to do is pick the Rectangle Tool (M) from the Tool palette and then use this tool to create a 152px by 64px shape. Next reselect the newly created shape and go to the Object/ Transform/ Shear…Enter the data as shown in the second image below and then click OK.

Create the Bottom Case

3. Keep the result selected, go to the Object/ Stylize/ Round Corners…Enter a 10px Radius and then click OK. Next go to the Object/ Expand Appearance.

Create the Bottom Case

4. Select and duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) the shape once time. Next move the copy 235px up.

Create the Bottom Case

5. Now pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and then use this tool to create a 300 by 235px shape. Next place this shape to the correct position as shown below.

Create the Bottom Case

6. Select two right anchor points and then move them 26px down.

Create the Bottom Case

7. Select the top yellow shape and duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it once time. While the copy selected, hold down the Shift, click on the red shape, release the Shift, open the Pathfinder palette (Window/ Pathfinder) and then click on the Minus Back button.

Create the Bottom Case

8. Select the bottom yellow shape and duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) it once time. While the copy selected, hold down the Shift, click on the red shape, release the Shift and then click on the Unite button from the Pathfinder palette.

Create the Bottom Case

9. Select and remove four anchor points highlighted with blue of the newly created shape.

Create the Bottom Case

10. Fill the top yellow shape with the linear gradient.

Create the Bottom Case

11. Fill the red shape with the linear gradient.

Create the Bottom Case

12. Keep the result selected, go to the Effect/ Texture/ Grain…Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next go to the Effect/ Blur/ Gaussian Blur…Enter a 3 pixels Radius and then click OK.

Create the Bottom Case

Create the Lid of the Zippo

13. Next come the Lid of the Zippo. First select and group (Ctrl +G) all shapes created from beginning step 1 to this time. Next go to the Object/ Transform/ Move…Enter the data as shown below and then click Copy.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

14. Select and lock (Ctrl +2) all shapes (except the newly created group). Next pick the Direct Selection Tool (A) and drag a boundary as shown below. Next move newly selected anchor points 110px up.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

15. Send the newly edited group to back (Ctrl +Shift +Left Square Bracket).

Create the Lid of the Zippo

16. Pick the Lasso Tool (Q) from the Tool palette. Next use this tool to draw a shape as shown in the first image below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

17. Move newly selected anchor points 3px up and then move them 4px to the left.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

18. Ungroup the newly edited group (Ctrl +Shift +G). Next select the shape like you see in the image below and go to the Object/ Path/ Offset Path…Enter a -2px Offset and then click OK. While the result selected, go to the Object/ Expand Appearance.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

19. Select all shapes as shown below and then rotate them an angle of about -6 degrees.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

20. Select and lock (Ctrl +2) the shape created in the step 18. Next select the shape behind the newly locked shape and then replace the existing color of this shape with new linear gradient.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

21. Replace the existing color of the shape selected as shown below. Keep the result selected, go to the Object/ Path/ Offset Path...Enter a -2px Offset and then click OK. Next replace the existing color of the newly created shape with new linear gradient.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

22. Pick the Ellipse Tool (L) from the Tool palette and then use this tool to create a 10px by 11px shape. Next rotate this ellipse an angle of about 20 degrees.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

23. Fill the ellipse with the linear gradient.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

24. Keep the result selected, duplicate it once time and then hide the copy (Ctrl +3). Next reselect the newly created ellipse and go to the Object/ Transform/ Move…Enter the data as shown below and then click Copy.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

25. Select two newly created ellipses and go to the Object/ Blend/ Blend Options…Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next go to the Object/ Blend/ Make (Ctrl +Alt +B).

Create the Lid of the Zippo

26. Press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the shape hidden in the step 24. While this shape selected, go to the Object/ Transform/ Scale…Check the Uniform and enter a 80 in the Scale box and then click OK. Next replace the existing color of the result with new linear gradient.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

27. Select and group (Ctrl +G) all shapes created from beginning step 22 to this time. Next place this group to the correct position as shown in the first image below. Finally press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) many times to get the result as shown in the second image.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

28. Press (Ctrl +Alt +2) to unlock all shapes locked in the previous step. Next select the shape like you see below and then go to the Object/ Path/ Offset Path…Enter a -1px Offset and then click OK. Next replace the existing color of the result with R=0, G=0, B=0.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

29. Select the newly created shape and go to the Object/ Path/ Offset Path…Enter a -2px Offset and then click OK. Next replace the existing color of the result with the linear gradient.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

30. Reselect the newly created shape and go to the Object/ Transform/ Scale…Check the Uniform, enter a 93 in the Scale box and then click Copy. Next move the result 9px up and then replace the existing color of it with the linear gradient. Finally reselect the newly edited shape, duplicate it once time and then hide the copy (Ctrl +3).

Create the Lid of the Zippo

31. Create a blend between two newly created shapes.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

32. Press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the shape hidden in the step 30. Next replace the existing color of this shape with the radial gradient.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

33. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and then use this tool to create a 50px by 110px shape. Next pick the Ellipse Tool (L) and then use this tool to create a 24px by 24px shape.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

34. Select the newly created ellipse and go to the Object/ Transform/ Move…Enter the data as shown below and then click Copy. Next press (Ctrl +D) once time to get the result as shown below. Finally select the middle ellipse and then replace the existing color of it with yellow.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

35. Select and group (Ctrl +G) three newly created ellipses. While this group selected, hold down the Shift, click on the green rectangle, release the Shift, open the Align palette (Window/ Align) and click on the Vertical Align Center button and then click on the Horizontal Align Center button.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

36. Keep the results selected, duplicate them once time and then move the copies to new position. Now select the newly created rectangle and then click on the Transform section at the Properties bar. In the pop-up menu, follow the data as shown below. Finally select and ungroup (Ctrl +Shift +G) the group created in the step 35 (include three ellipses).

Create the Lid of the Zippo

37. Select two green ellipses, duplicate them once time and then move the copies 42px to the right. Next select the red rectangle, hold down the Shift, click on the yellow ellipse, release the Shift and click on the red rectangle again (to fixed its position). Next open the Align palette (Window/ Align) and click on the Horizontal Align Center button and then click on the Vertical Align Center button.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

38. Select four shapes created in the step 35, open the Pathfinder palette (Window/ Pathfinder) and then click on the Minus Back button. Next select six shapes created in the step 37 and then click on the Minus Back button.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

39. Reselect the newly created shape and go to the Object/ Transform/ Shear…Follow the data as shown below and then click OK.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

40. Place the result to the correct position as shown below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

41. Keep this shape selected, go to the Object/ Transform/ Move…Enter the data as shown below and then click Copy. Next press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) once time to send the copy backward.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

42. Place the green shape created in the step 38 to the correct position as shown below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

43. Reselect the green shape and then reduce width of it like you see in the images below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

44. Reselect the green shape, pick the Shear Tool from the Tool palette and then click on the left side of the green shape. Next hold down the Shift and then drag the mouse anywhere in the document window in an up direction. In the end your shape should look roughly like the second image. Finally, reselect the result and then send it backward (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket).

Create the Lid of the Zippo

45. Fill newly created shapes with the linear gradient.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

46. Reselect the newly filled shape and then add the effects (Grain and Gaussian Blur) for it.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

47. Pick the Pen Tool (P) from the Tool palette and then use this tool to create a green shape as shown below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

48. Pick the Rectangle Tool (M) and then use it to create a 13px by 187px shape.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

49. Now select the green shape (created in the step 47), hold down the Shift, click on the yellow rectangle (created in the step 48), release the Shift and then click on the green shape again (to fixed its position). Next open the Align palette (Window/ Align), click on the Horizontal Align Center button and then click on the Vertical Align Center button.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

50. Reselect two newly created shapes, open the Pathfinder palette (Window/ Pathfinder) and then click on the Minus Front button. While the result selected, press (Ctrl +Shift +G) to ungoup it.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

51. Fill two newly created shapes with the linear gradient.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

52. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create two shapes as shown below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

53. Set the data for these shapes like you see in the image below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

54. Continue working with the Pen Tool (P). Use this tool to create an shape and then set the data for this shape as shown in the images below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

55. Keep working with the Pen Tool (P). Use this tool to create shapes and then set the data for them as shown in the images below.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

56. Reselect the shape created in the beginning step 55 and then add the effects (Grain and Gaussian Blur) for it.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

57. Select and group (Ctrl +G) two newly created shapes and then duplicate (Ctrl +C, Ctrl +F) this group once time. Next press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) once times to send the copy backward and then place it to the correct position as shown in the second image.

Create the Lid of the Zippo

Create the Flint Wheel

58. Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a 75px by 82px shape. Next rotate this ellipse an angle of about 22 degrees.

Create the Flint Wheel

59. While the result selected, go to the Object/ Transform/ Move…Follow the data as shown below and then click Copy. Next reselect two newly created shapes, duplicate them once time and then hide the copies (Ctrl +3).

Create the Flint Wheel

60. Fill two newly created shapes with the linear gradient.

Create the Flint Wheel

61. Create a blend between two newly filled shapes.

Create the Flint Wheel

62. Press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show two shapes hidden in the step 59. Next select the shape as shown in the second image, duplicate it once time and then hide the copy. Now reselect two yellow remaining ellipses, open the Pathfinder palette (Window/ Pathfinder) and click on the Minus Front button.

Create the Flint Wheel

63. Fill the result with the linear gradient.

Create the Flint Wheel

64. Reselect the newly filled shape and go to the Effect/ Texture/ Texturizer…Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next add the Gaussian Blur effect for the result. Finally open the Transparency palette (Window/ Transparency) and select the Overlay in the Blending Mode.

Create the Flint Wheel

65. Press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the yellow shape hidden in the step 62. While the shape selected, go to the Object/ Path/ Offset Path…Enter a -6px Offset and then click OK.

Create the Flint Wheel

66. Set the data for two newly created shapes as shown in the images below.

Create the Flint Wheel

67. Reselect the newly filled shape and then add the effects (Grain and Gaussian Blur) for it. Next open the Transparency palette (Window/ Transparency), select the Overlay in the Blending Mode and enter a 70 in the Opacity box.

Create the Flint Wheel

68. Select and group (Ctrl +G) all shapes created form beginning step 58 to this time. Next place this group to the correct position as shown in the first image. Finally press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) many times to get the result as shown in the second image below.

Create the Flint Wheel

69. Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a 26px by 28px shape. Next rotate this ellipse an angle of about 22 degrees.

Create the Flint Wheel

70. Fill the result with R=0, G=0, B=0 and then place it to the correct position as shown below.

Create the Flint Wheel

71. Keep the result selected, duplicate it once time and move the copy 1px to the left. Next replace the existing color of the copy with the linear gradient.

Create the Flint Wheel

72. Add the effects (Grain and Gaussian Blur) for the newly edited shape.

Create the Flint Wheel

Create the Tube Insert

73. Use the Ellipse Tool (L) to create a 40px by 20px shape. Next fill this ellipse with the linear gradient.

Create the Tube Insert

74. Select the newly created shape and go to the Object/ Transform/ Scale…Check the Uniform and enter a 92 in the Scale box and then click Copy. Next move the copy 5px up and then replace the existing color of it with new linear gradient. Finally reselect the newly filled ellipse, duplicate it once time and then hide the copy.

Create the Tube Insert

75. Make a blend between two newly created ellipses.

Create the Tube Insert

76. Press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the ellipse hidden in the previous step. Next replace the existing color of this ellipse with new linear gradient.

Create the Tube Insert

77. Keep the newly edited ellipse selected, go to the Object/ Transform/ Scale…Check the Uniform and enter a 78 in the Scale box and then click Copy. Next replace the existing color of the copy with new linear gradient.

Create the Tube Insert

78. While the newly edited ellipse selected, duplicate it once time and then move the copy 7px up. Next replace the existing color of the copy with new linear gradient. Finally reselect the result, duplicate it once time and then hide the copy.

Create the Tube Insert

79. Make a blend between two newly created ellipses.

Create the Tube Insert

80. Press (Ctrl +Alt +3) to show the ellipse hidden in the previous step and then go to the Object/ Transform/ Scale…Check the Uniform and enter a 84 in the Scale box and then click OK. Next replace the existing color of the result with R=0, G=0, B=0.

Create the Tube Insert

81. Add the Gaussian Blur effect for the newly edited ellipse.

Create the Tube Insert

82. Now select and group (Ctrl +G) all shapes created from beginning step 73 to this time. Next place the group to the correct position as shown in the first image. Finally press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) many time to send this group backward.

Create the Tube Insert

83. In the end your artwork should look like the image shown.

Create the Tube Insert

Create the Cam

84. Pick the Pen Tool (P) and then use this tool to create an shape as shown in the first image. Next fill the shape with the linear gradient.

Create the Cam

85. Add the effects (Grain and Gaussian Blur) for the newly filled shape.

Create the Cam

86. Continue working with the Pen Tool (P). Use this tool to create two shapes and then set the data for them as shown in the images below.

Create the Cam

87. Select two newly created shapes and go to the Object/ Transform/ Move…Follow the data as shown below and then click Copy. Next press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) twice times to send the copies backward.

Create the Cam

88. Replace the existing color of the shape selected as shown below with new linear gradient.

Create the Cam

89. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create an shape as shown below. Next fill this shape with the linear gradient.

Create the Cam

90. Select the newly filled shape, duplicate it once time and then hide the copy. Next reselect the newly filled shape again and then go to the Object/ Transform/ Move…Enter the data as shown below and then click Copy. Next send the copy backward (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket).

Create the Cam

91. Make a blend between two newly created shapes.

Create the Cam

92. Show the shape hidden in the previous step. Next replace the existing color of it with new linear gradient. Finally add the effects (Grain and Gaussian Blur) for the result.

Create the Cam

93. Select and group (Ctrl +G) all shapes created from beginning step 89 to this time. Next press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) many times to send this group backward.

Create the Cam

94. Duplicate two shapes selected as shown below once time and then move the copies to the new position.

Create the Cam

95. While the copies selected, go to the Object/ Transform/ Scale…Check the Uniform and enter a 78 in the Scale box and then click OK. Next replace the existing color of the copy selected as shown in the second image with new linear gradient.

Create the Cam

96. Reselect two newly created shapes and then place them to the correct position as shown below.

Create the Cam

97. Now select and group (Ctrl +G) all shapes created from beginning step 89 to this time. Next press (Ctrl +Left Square Bracket) many times to get the result as shown in the second image.

Create the Cam

Create a Logo for the Zippo

98. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create an shape as shown below.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

99. Fill the newly created shape with R=35, G=0, B=0.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

100. Reselect and duplicate the newly filled shape once time. Next replace the existing color of the copy with R=67, G=49, B=29. Finally move the result 2px up and then move it 4px to the right.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

101. Select two anchor points highlighted with yellow and move it 1px up and then move them 4px to the right.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

102. Continue select two anchor points highlighted with yellow and move it 1px up and then move them 4px to the left. Next reselect the newly edited shape, duplicate it once time and then hide the copy.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

103. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create two green shapes as shown below.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

104. Fill two newly created shapes with the linear gradient.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

105. Add the effects (Grain and Gaussian Blur) for two newly filled shapes.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

106. Show the shape hidden in the previous step. Next replace the existing color of this shape with the linear gradient.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

107. While the newly edited shape selected, go to the Effect/ Texture/ Stained Glass…Enter the data as shown below and then click OK. Next add the Gaussian Blur effect for the result. Finally open the Transparency palette (Window/ Transparency) and select the Overlay in the Blending Mode.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

108. Open the Character palette (Window/ Type/ Character) and then enter the data as shown below. Next pick the Type Tool (T) from the Tool palette, click on the document and enter the text " ippoLighter".

Create a Logo for the Zippo

109. Reselect the newly created text and double-click on the Shear Tool icon from the Tool palette. Enter the data as shown below and then click OK.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

110. Place the result to the correct position as shown below. Next select and group (Ctrl +G) all shapes created from beginning step 98 to this time.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

111. In the end your artwork should look roughly like the image.

Create a Logo for the Zippo

Create the Flame for the Zippo

112. Use the Pen Tool (P) to create an shape as shown in the first image below. Next fill this shape with the radial gradient.