Creating an Inflated Effect in Adobe Illustrator 2024

To create an Inflated effect in Adobe Illustrator 2024 (AI 2024), your design must meet the following requirements:

• All objects in the design must be vector-based, sharp, and high quality — no jagged edges or blurring from background removal
• No gradient effects

Step 1: Separate design elements into individual layers in AI (skip if you designed directly in AI)

• Open your design file in AI
• Go to Window, select Image Trace
• When the Image Trace panel appears, select 16 Colors from the Preset dropdown, then wait a moment for AI to process

• Go to Object, select Image Trace, then choose Expand

AI will automatically separate all objects in your design into individual layers, as shown below:

Step 2: Apply the Inflated effect

• Select all layers created in Step 1
• Go to Effect, select 3D and Materials, then choose Inflate

Wait for AI to process — the result will look like the image below:

• In the 3D and Materials toolbar, select Materials, expand the Properties section, and increase the Metallic value to give your design a shinier look. The result will look like the image below:

You can also adjust other values under the Object and Lighting sections within the 3D and Materials tool to fine-tune your design further.