1. Gather your references
Every time we start a project, no matter the topic, the first thing we need to do is start gathering information about the subject we are working on. Because we are going to make a realistic camera icon, the best info sources are photographs and real life objects.
2. Grab the pencil before the mouse
As we have said on other articles, we recommend that before start working on the computer, you should grab a pencil and a piece of paper, then draw some sketches to get an idea of how the design should be looking at the end.
3. Create the canvas
For this edition, we are making a 256 px X 256 px icon. To start, go to File>New>Width/Height = 256. Resolution 72 DPI and RGB Color mode. We don't need more than 72 dot per inch because icons are going to be made for screen.
4. Let's start drawing
Until this step the things have been easy, right now we are taking it to the next level.
To draw this camera icon, we are coming from back to front, so start with one of the back small pieces. Select the pen tool (p) and start drawing the shape we are showing you next. If you have problems making a straight turn while drawing, click over the anchor point to eliminate the curve controller and keep drawing.
OK, now we need to add a fill color to our shape, we know that cameras came usually in black / gray, as we have seen on the references. To add a fill color, select the shape and click on the gradient menu icon on the tool bar, then click inside the shape and you will get and instant gradient fill.
We know that cameras are not yellow, unless you're some Hawaiian dude wanting to bring the sunset on his camera. To change the gradient color, select the shape and on the right side of the screen you will see the gradient menu. If you don't see it, go to Window>Gradient.
On this Gradient menu, we can modify the properties of the fill that we just added to the shape. First, we need to change from a Yellow>Orange gradient to a Black>Gray one, you will see two small house-like buttons, one yellow and one orange, double click on the yellow one and the color menu will appear, then on the color menu, select swatches.
Now select a black color and proceed to repeat the same process with the orange button, in this case, change the color for gray 50.
Now the shape have the correct colors, but we still need to work on the gradient type.
To change the gradient type, click on the type dropdown menu and select linear.
I guess the sun doesn't get to strong to a camera surface, so we are changing the angle and color balance. To change the angle, enter the number on the white bar below the type menu, or change it with the control bar, I think a 46 angle is appropriate.
I guess the gray is noting to much, so we need to change the color balance. To do this, hold click on the rhombus button in the middle of the gradient bar and move it to the right, so the black gets more space than gray. Leave the bar in about 75.
Our shape is ready but, don't you think that black outline doesn't fit?, I think we should remove it. To clean the outline, select the shape and click on the bottom black square located at the inferior part of the tools bar.
Then, select the white square with a red line crossing it, this is the icon for null color, by selecting that, the outline color will be none.
We have done our first camera element, the rest is almost the same process, so the hard part is done.
This part we just did is the visor of the camera, now we must add it a glow. Create a new layer and using the pen tool, draw a rectangle in the middle of the other. We are using the pen tool for not having to rotate a shape made with the rectangle tool. Illustrator will remember the last gradient we used and our glow will have it. So we need to go to our Gradient menu and change the black / gray combination into a white / gray one.
Let's go to the gradient menu and as we did before, change the black for white, the gray doesn't need to be changed. All the rest values will remain the same.
Now we are going to make the main body of the camera. Select the pen tool and draw it, take into account the perspective.
Let's switch the color, select the gray and change it for black.
Now we need to change the white, I think a dark green will look good, but as you can see, there is no such color on the color swatch palette. We must use the other option, "color". Select color and enter the following values: R / 87, G / 96 and B / 96. If you want you can play with the color balance, we decided to leave it in the middle.
The next shape requires some precision, we are going to add a fine glow at the left side of the camera. Select the pen tool and try to draw the following shape.
In this case we are not using gradients, so select the shape and double click on the gradient button at the left of the screen and choose a white color.
If you are having problems drawing this shape, use the zoom tool located on the tools bar to get a close view.
5. Making the main buttons and the flash
Now that we have the main body of the camera, we need to start making the tiny parts, starting with the shutter. Since this part, is recommended that you use the zoom al the time.
We are making use of a new item. Select the ellipse tool and draw one on the top of the camera, this will be the shutter's base. Then, to not repeat all over again the filling process, select the eyedropper tool and click over the camera viewer, that way you will be copying the color properties of that object without having to repeat all the process.
Anyway, you need to change the color positions, a fast way to do it is to hold click over the color icon and move it, place the gray where the black is and vice versa. Finally, leave the color balance icon on the middle.
Now we need to place an ellipse over the base we just made. We don't need to repeat it, come on!!, we are in the 21th century, this is not MS Paint, ha ha ha. Select the base and go to Edit>Copy or tab Ctrl + C,
Then go to Edit>Paste In Front or tab Ctrl + V to place it over the base, then holding Shift to keep the proportions, change the size to almost the half and modify the angle to - 62, it will look like this:
Finally we are creating the shutter button volume. But first, I'm going for a glass of milk and cookies.
OK I'm back, let's continue. Use the pen tool to draw something like this:
This time, the gradient fill is going to be made of three color points. To do this, click a couple of pixels below the color bar to add a new color point. Select black for the points on the extremes and gray for the one in the middle, although we are leaving it closer to the left side. Also set the angle to -180.
OK, our camera can now shot photos, let's zoom out and take a look.
The next item to do will be a smooth line on the viewer. This is quite easy. Just select the pen tool and draw a black filled shape across the viewer.
Select the item that we just made and tab Ctrl + C to copy it, paste it and change the color to white.
You need to send the black item in front of the white one, so select the shape, right click and Arrange > Bring to Front.
Pretty cool isn't it?, let's continue.
For the next shape, drawn it as we show using the pen tool and assigning the corresponding properties.
The next shape is a part of the flash, although is a big one, its easy to do. Just draw it with the pen tool and modify the gradient properties to Linear. 4 colors and 72.9 angle, just as the image shows.
The next shape is as easy as the last one, just use the pen tool to draw it and copy the properties of the image below (linear and 0 angle).
Remember that if something is not showing like it does in our screen, you can arrange it
The next element goes over the viewer, it resemblances a rectangle and the properties are linear, 2 colors and 24,6 angle.
Now select the big gray item that we did before the last one and copy it (Ctrl + C), then paste it over the original (Ctrl + F) and move it a little bit to the right and down. Finally change its gradient properties to linear, 2 colors and - 44 angle.
The next item is the side of the flash. Grab your pen tool and draw it following the flash borders, regarding the gradient, the properties are linear, 2 colors and -61 angle.
Let's add a little bright to the flash, once again with the pen tool, draw a thin figure between the two flash faces, the gradient properties are linear, 2 colors and -90 angle.
