Knowing how to make a cube, whether in 2D or 3D, is a skill every designer should be familiar with. However, we understand that it may take work for someone just starting with Illustrator. So, how do you make a cube in Illustrator?

The “Rectangle Tool” should be used to draw a rectangle, create a duplicate and position it beside the original. Create a slanted picture of a square using the “Shear Tool.” For the top, make a third square. Extend the square’s width with the “Scale Tool,” add an anchor point to the top, and then change it into a cube by rotating it.

Keep reading below as we take you through these steps in more detail.

How To Make A Cube In Adobe Illustrator (2D & 3D)

You may use the Rectangle tool to construct a Cube that will fit in your 2D graphic design or a 3D style, according to the effect you would like to produce. 

For more information on how to create a cube in Illustrator, watch this video below:

Making a 2D Cube

You can make a 2D cube by following the instructions below:

Step 1: In the toolbar, select the Polygon Tool. 

Typically, this shares a menu with the rectangle tool. 

• To create a six-sided polygon, click on the artboard.

Step 2: Rotate the polygon 330 degrees after clicking on it. 

• It may be manually rotated, or you can double-click the Rotate Tool to enter the precise angular position.
• The polygon can also be scaled up or down to change its size. 
• To scale proportionately, click and drag on any corner of the enclosing box while holding down the Shift key.

Step 3: In the toolbar, choose the Line Segment Tool ().

• Create a line from the polygon’s bottom anchor point towards the middle by clicking there. 
• When you arrive in the middle, if your smart guide is turned on, it will appear.
• To create a cube, link the other two corners’ lines to the center point using the same procedure.

Step 4: Choose the Shape Builder Tool (Shift+M) from the toolbar after selecting all (the polygons and the lines)

• Click on all three of the cube’s surfaces.
• They will stop being lines and turn into shapes. To make sure the shapes have been created, you can split them.
• After making sure the shapes are created, put them back again, and you’re almost done. Your cube could now have colors added to it!

Create A 3D Cube Using The Rectangle Tool

You can create a 3D cube by following the instructions below:

Step 1: Make a Square 

• Rectangle Tool may be found in the “Tool menu” and selected, or you can use the keyboard shortcut by hitting the letter “M.” 
• Pressing “Shift” while moving the tool over the panel is the first method for drawing the square.
• The second method involves selecting the tool, clicking anywhere on the canvas, and then using the “Rectangle” window to change the “Width” and “Height” parameters. 
• The square’s dimensions in this tutorial are set to 400×400 pixels. You are welcome to use a square of a different size.

Step 2: Duplicate Square. 

• Select the square using the “Selection Tool,” look for it in the “Tool Menu,” or use the keyboard shortcut by hitting the letter “V.” 
• Upon selection, press Control (CTRL) + C (Windows) or Command + C (Mac) to copy the shape, and then Control (CTRL) + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac) to paste it. 
• Drag the duplicate square to the left of the original circle such that one side of each square overlaps the other.
• You may make a replica of the square via another method as well. Select it, hold down “Alt,” and then drag it to the desired location.

Step 3: Open Shear Tool. 

• Using either the horizontal or vertical axis, this tool may be used to create a slanted representation of an item. 
• It will help in creating the appearance of a 3D object. 
• To use the “Shear Tool,” select “Object” from the main menu; a drop-down menu will appear; click on “Transform”; then select “Shear.” 
• The “Shear Tool” may also be accessed by searching for it in the “Tool Menu.”

Step 4: Adjusting Squares

• Using the “Selection Tool,” choose one of the squares.
• Click the top right corner and move it up or down with the “Shear Tool” to shift it down the vertical axis. 
• Put the second square in the same manner as you did the first. 
• Make sure the squares overlap. They want to simulate a cube with the addition of a third square.

Step 5: Third Square

• Create a third square in the same manner as described in the first step. 
• Hold “Shift” while dragging the “Rectangle Tool” over the canvas to create the square. 
• Make the square 400×400 pixels in size, the same as the previous two. 
• When you’re finished drawing a square, rotate it at a 45-degree angle.
• Pressing the letter “M” on your keyboard will activate the “Rectangle Tool.”

Step 6: Adjusting Top Square

• The bottom anchor point of the top square must overlap the top middle corner point of the top two planes after being selected and moved. 
• In the “Tool Menu,” select the “Scale Tool” while making sure the square is still selected. 
• To make the square’s width equal to the width of the adjacent squares, increase its width.
• By using the “Add Anchor Point Tool,” add an anchor point to the upper corner of the newly created square before choosing the “Free Transform Tool.” 
• When it settles into the angle formed by the two adjacent squares, select the top corner and drag it down the vertical axis.

Conclusion

And there you go. In this article, we showed you how to create a cube. You have to follow the simple instructions, and you’ll get there in no time. Remember, learning how to use any design application requires lots of practice.