Post 17 - Finish 3D Label (Star)

I have used the pen tool to create an inner shape after creating the outer grey star shape. I decided to use the inner pen tools initially as i  decided it would be easy to create curves using the various anchor points. The central image was created with the pen tool and then given a yellow fill to add some brightness to the star. The outer star was created by using the inbuilt star tool and then given a purple fill. I sent the purple star image to the back using the pathfinder Minus tool to give a separate color edge effect. One star with an outline effect could have been used but i decided to add two stars as originally i was to add more than two stars. I selected these colors to contrast to the main image and give a bright contrast and also i selected colors different from the text so it was not covered up. The shade of colors is something that also needed to be considered as a similar shade would ruin the text 3D effect.

The next tool used was the paintbrush tool i filled the central yellow star with various paint brush colors. The colors i chose were combat colors to give the militarily effect. When filling the shapes i used the brush effect so the sharp colors would not contrast the combat inner paintbrushes.I used the clipping mask tool for these shapes to help combine both of these shapes by using the group selection tools. The clipping mask was beneficial as it created various different layers and preserved the images in different layers before combining them in one top layer. I also used the transparency effect so the star image is not overpowering in comparison to the remaining image. The central camouflage colors are on a separate layer and were also lowered in opacity to ensure the image is not overpowering and also allows the background  to be viewed.