This tutorial begins by constructing the front face of a poker chip. Utilizing the Ellipse Tool (L), create a perfect circle on the canvas by holding the Shift key. Duplicate this circle (Ctrl/Cmd + C followed by Ctrl/Cmd + F) to form a base layer. Reduce the size of the top circle to approximately one-third of the original circle by accessing Object > Transform > Scale. Eliminate the fill color of the smaller circle if present. Proceed to add a stroke to the inner circle using the Stroke Panel (Window > Stroke or Ctrl/Cmd + F10 to toggle). Ensure the inner circle is selected, set the stroke Weight to 5pt, and enable the Dashed Line option. Set the dash value to 12pt and the gap value to 10pt. Duplicate the inner circle and paste it in front twice, scaling them down and setting their fill color to None and stroke Weight to 1pt. Select all objects except the large green circle and expand them (Object > Expand). Maintain the selection of the inner design objects and set the fill color to white. Add the large green circle to the selection by holding Shift and clicking on it, then group all elements together (Object > Group). Use the Rounded Rectangle Tool to create a vertical rounded rectangle at the top-center of the poker chip face. Center the rectangle with the chip by selecting the large green circle and the newly drawn rounded rectangle, then clicking the Horizontal Align Center button in the Align Panel. Duplicate the rounded rectangle and position it on the lower part of the poker chip. Group both rounded rectangles and align them using the Align Panel. Rotate the rectangles 60 degrees using Object > Transform > Rotate and Object > Transform > Transform Again (Ctrl/Cmd + D) to create another copy. Select all elements, ungroup them, and duplicate the large circle six times (Ctrl/Cmd + C followed by Ctrl/Cmd + F six times). Select a rectangle and one of the six circle copies, then use the Pathfinder Panel to intersect them. Repeat this process for all rectangles and change their fill color to white. Create a white circle within the poker chip’s inner design by duplicating the large green circle, setting the fill color to white, and scaling it down. This completes the front design of the poker chip. Select all parts created so far, adjust the bottom-center transform control of the selection box to develop the poker chip’s perspective. Begin developing the three-dimensional appearance of the poker chip by selecting the Rectangle Tool (M) and creating a rectangle that aligns with the middle points of the large circle. Ensure precision by zooming in and adjusting anchor points as needed. Duplicate the green circle and position it downwards until the rectangle’s lower corners do not meet the circle’s endpoints. Select the rectangle and the green circle, then unite them using the Pathfinder Panel. Adjust the shape if necessary with the Direct Selection Tool (A). Apply the outer design created using rounded rectangles to the side of the poker chip. Draw a rectangle matching the anchor points of one of the white rectangles and intersect it with the side of the poker chip. Change the fill color of the new shape to white and send it to the back. Repeat this process to wrap more of the outer design onto the side of the poker chip. Add gradients and colors to the poker chip using the Gradient Panel, creating a beveled edge with a light red color. Group all poker chip elements and duplicate them to create a stack. Experiment with colors and positions, and consider adding shadows to enhance the visual appeal. This comprehensive vector illustration tutorial demonstrates how to create a stack of poker chips from scratch using Adobe Illustrator. Basic shapes are constructed with tools like the Ellipse Tool and Rounded Rectangle Tool, while the Pathfinder Panel, Align Panel, Gradient Panel, and Arrange commands are utilized to create the final poker chip illustration. For any questions or comments, feel free to post them in the comments section below. Share your work and join the Design Instruct Flickr group for more inspiration.
poker_chips (ZIP, 0.30 MB)