Download: Nagel Series 2-Soft Bevels (468 KB)[an error occurred while processing this directive]The unstuffed file will be called "NagelSeries2-SoftBevels.svg." Place this folder in your Plug-Ins folder inside your Adobe Illustrator directory. Open a document, and choose Effect > SVG Filters > Import SVG Filter. This will open up a dialog prompting you to locate the file. After you're done so, all of the 10 filters will appear in your SVG Filters menu.



You apply them like any other filter effect: Choose your object and select the particular bevel you wish to apply. The effect will then be listed for your object in the Appearance palette. (Yes, you can apply multiple SVG filters to your object. A combination of number 2 and 9, for example, whill give you a nice chrome effect.) Remember, in order for an SVG filter to remain resolution-independent, it must be the last filter or effect listed in the Appearance palette.



For those of you who are brave, you can edit the effect to your liking. Here's how.

1. Double-click the effect in the Appearance palette.

2. In the dialog that pops up, double-click on the effect in question.



3. This will call up yet another dialog presenting you with the base code for the filter. To change the position of the light in the effect, mess around with the X, Y and Z values (seen highlighted below). Hit the "Update Preview" button too see the effect that your changes make.



You can also change the light spread of the effect by changing the k3 value (seen highlighted below). The higher the number, the more the light will spread across the surface of your object.



4. When you're done, hit the "OK" button, and your changes will take effect. If you wish, you can also copy the text from the code and create your own new filter from it, rather than replacing the old.

If you have questions about this or anything else related to Illustrator, please visit me in our Adobe Illustrator forum here.