How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator

Final product imageFinal product imageFinal product image
What You’ll Be Creating

In this tutorial, you will learn how to add Illustrator outer glow effects to your vector artwork and designs. If you wish to follow along watching a video tutorial, we’ve got you covered! Here’s a quick new video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

What You’ll Need in This Outer Glow Illustrator Tutorial

To follow along with this tutorial step by step, you’ll need your own version of Adobe Illustrator. We’ll also be using stock images from Envato Elements to help us, but feel free to use your own illustration to learn how to do outer glow in Illustrator! Click on the link below to download.

1. How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator

Step 1

Use the Selection Tool to select the shape to which you want to apply an Illustrator outer glow (you may need to ungroup the shapes). You can select multiple shapes by holding down the Shift key on the keyboard.

select shapesselect shapesselect shapes

Step 2

With the shape(s) now selected, go to the top menu bar and select Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow. Make sure to select the top Stylize option.

choose outer glow effectchoose outer glow effectchoose outer glow effect

Step 3

To add an outer glow Illustrator effect, use the Outer Glow box that appears, and select Mode: Screen. Select a colour that you want to use. Then adjust the opacity and blur levels to your liking.

You can also check the Preview box to see your changes being made in real time. Once you’re happy with the way the outer glow Illustrator effect looks, click OK. 

preview outer glowpreview outer glowpreview outer glow

2. How to Add Outer Glow to Text in Illustrator

Step 1

In this section, we’ll learn how to add outer glow to text in Illustrator. Adding outer glow to text in Illustrator works in the same way as adding outer glow to shape objects.

First use the Text Tool to type in the text.

add textadd textadd text

Step 2

Select the text that you have created and then go to Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow. Make sure to select the top Stylize option.

add outer glowadd outer glowadd outer glow

Step 3

In the Outer Glow box that appears, select Mode: Screen and a colour that you want to use. Then adjust the opacity and blur levels to your liking.

Remember to check the Preview Box to see your changes being made in real time. Once you’re happy with the way it looks, click OK.

You can also repeat this process on the same object to increase the glow in Illustrator.

outer glow appliedouter glow appliedouter glow applied

3. How to Enhance the Outer Glow Effect

Step 1

Now that we know how to add outer glow Illustrator effects to our illustration, let’s learn how to enhance the effect.

Use the Ellipse Tool to create a shape that is slightly larger than the shape you wish to enhance the glow for. Then choose an appropriate colour for it.

add a shape objectadd a shape objectadd a shape object

Step 2

With the shape selected, go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur 

add gaussian bluradd gaussian bluradd gaussian blur

Step 3

Increase the radius to your liking.

increase the radius valueincrease the radius valueincrease the radius value

Step 4

In the Transparency Settings, change it to Overlay and adjust the transparency to your liking. 

adjust transparencyadjust transparencyadjust transparency

Step 5

Place the shape over your glow effect to enhance it and make it look brighter and more vibrant.

add overlay shape above candlesadd overlay shape above candlesadd overlay shape above candles

Awesome! You’re Finished!

Happy DiwaliHappy DiwaliHappy Diwali

Congratulations! And that’s how to do outer glow in Illustrator. I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you’ve learned some new tips and tricks on how to use outer glow effect illustrator techniques that you can use for your own projects. See you next time!

Top 5 Candle Illustrations From Envato Elements

Want to add some outer glow effect Illustrator techniques, but short on time? Then head on over to Envato Elements, where you can download many different illustrations and designs that you can use and customise for your project. Here are five of my favourites.

Diwali Flyer Set (AI, PSD)

Diwali Flyer SetDiwali Flyer SetDiwali Flyer Set

Here’s the graphic template we used for the tutorial above! This Happy Diwali vector illustration is easily customisable and well organised so that you can use the elements for your own projects and designs. The text, images, and graphics are all on separate layers, with a link to the free font included.

Happy Diwali Flyer (AI, PSD)

Happy Diwali flyerHappy Diwali flyerHappy Diwali flyer

Here’s another one to celebrate Diwali! This Happy Diwali flyer template is fully editable, with well-organised layers for you to use in your own projects and designs. It’s perfect for flyers, posters, websites, and banners.

Candles Illustration (AI, EPS, PNG, SVG)

vector line art candlesvector line art candlesvector line art candles

If you’re looking for some modern line art to use for your candle flow illustrations, here’s a great template to use! This filled outline vector illustration is ideal for web, print, icons, and more! It’s fully customisable and includes a ready-made PNG file for a ready-to-use transparent background.

Burning Candles: Vector Isolated Clip Art (EPS, JPG)

realistic candlesrealistic candlesrealistic candles

For a more realistic take, why not try these high-quality vector candle designs? Each candle is isolated on a transparent background, ready to be used. They’re perfect for adding that festive touch to your illustrations and designs.

30 Candle Flame Overlays (PNG)

candle flamescandle flamescandle flames

If you’re just looking for a candle flame, here are some premium candle flames that you can use! There are 30 flame designs to choose from, each one ready to use in a high-res PNG format. Use these to practice adding glow effects to them!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial on how to add outer glow in Illustrator. If you’d like to learn more cool Illustrator skills, we’ve got more tutorials for you:


This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Jonathan Lam

Final product imageFinal product imageFinal product image
What You'll Be Creating

In this tutorial, you will learn how to add Illustrator outer glow effects to your vector artwork and designs. If you wish to follow along watching a video tutorial, we've got you covered! Here's a quick new video from the Envato Tuts+ YouTube channel:

What You'll Need in This Outer Glow Illustrator Tutorial

To follow along with this tutorial step by step, you'll need your own version of Adobe Illustrator. We'll also be using stock images from Envato Elements to help us, but feel free to use your own illustration to learn how to do outer glow in Illustrator! Click on the link below to download.

1. How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator

Step 1

Use the Selection Tool to select the shape to which you want to apply an Illustrator outer glow (you may need to ungroup the shapes). You can select multiple shapes by holding down the Shift key on the keyboard.

select shapesselect shapesselect shapes

Step 2

With the shape(s) now selected, go to the top menu bar and select Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow. Make sure to select the top Stylize option.

choose outer glow effectchoose outer glow effectchoose outer glow effect

Step 3

To add an outer glow Illustrator effect, use the Outer Glow box that appears, and select Mode: Screen. Select a colour that you want to use. Then adjust the opacity and blur levels to your liking.

You can also check the Preview box to see your changes being made in real time. Once you're happy with the way the outer glow Illustrator effect looks, click OK. 

preview outer glowpreview outer glowpreview outer glow

2. How to Add Outer Glow to Text in Illustrator

Step 1

In this section, we'll learn how to add outer glow to text in Illustrator. Adding outer glow to text in Illustrator works in the same way as adding outer glow to shape objects.

First use the Text Tool to type in the text.

add textadd textadd text

Step 2

Select the text that you have created and then go to Effect > Stylize > Outer Glow. Make sure to select the top Stylize option.

add outer glowadd outer glowadd outer glow

Step 3

In the Outer Glow box that appears, select Mode: Screen and a colour that you want to use. Then adjust the opacity and blur levels to your liking.

Remember to check the Preview Box to see your changes being made in real time. Once you're happy with the way it looks, click OK.

You can also repeat this process on the same object to increase the glow in Illustrator.

outer glow appliedouter glow appliedouter glow applied

3. How to Enhance the Outer Glow Effect

Step 1

Now that we know how to add outer glow Illustrator effects to our illustration, let's learn how to enhance the effect.

Use the Ellipse Tool to create a shape that is slightly larger than the shape you wish to enhance the glow for. Then choose an appropriate colour for it.

add a shape objectadd a shape objectadd a shape object

Step 2

With the shape selected, go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur 

add gaussian bluradd gaussian bluradd gaussian blur

Step 3

Increase the radius to your liking.

increase the radius valueincrease the radius valueincrease the radius value

Step 4

In the Transparency Settings, change it to Overlay and adjust the transparency to your liking. 

adjust transparencyadjust transparencyadjust transparency

Step 5

Place the shape over your glow effect to enhance it and make it look brighter and more vibrant.

add overlay shape above candlesadd overlay shape above candlesadd overlay shape above candles

Awesome! You're Finished!

Happy DiwaliHappy DiwaliHappy Diwali

Congratulations! And that's how to do outer glow in Illustrator. I hope you found this tutorial helpful and that you've learned some new tips and tricks on how to use outer glow effect illustrator techniques that you can use for your own projects. See you next time!

Top 5 Candle Illustrations From Envato Elements

Want to add some outer glow effect Illustrator techniques, but short on time? Then head on over to Envato Elements, where you can download many different illustrations and designs that you can use and customise for your project. Here are five of my favourites.

Diwali Flyer Set (AI, PSD)

Diwali Flyer SetDiwali Flyer SetDiwali Flyer Set

Here's the graphic template we used for the tutorial above! This Happy Diwali vector illustration is easily customisable and well organised so that you can use the elements for your own projects and designs. The text, images, and graphics are all on separate layers, with a link to the free font included.

Happy Diwali Flyer (AI, PSD)

Happy Diwali flyerHappy Diwali flyerHappy Diwali flyer

Here's another one to celebrate Diwali! This Happy Diwali flyer template is fully editable, with well-organised layers for you to use in your own projects and designs. It's perfect for flyers, posters, websites, and banners.

Candles Illustration (AI, EPS, PNG, SVG)

vector line art candlesvector line art candlesvector line art candles

If you're looking for some modern line art to use for your candle flow illustrations, here's a great template to use! This filled outline vector illustration is ideal for web, print, icons, and more! It's fully customisable and includes a ready-made PNG file for a ready-to-use transparent background.

Burning Candles: Vector Isolated Clip Art (EPS, JPG)

realistic candlesrealistic candlesrealistic candles

For a more realistic take, why not try these high-quality vector candle designs? Each candle is isolated on a transparent background, ready to be used. They're perfect for adding that festive touch to your illustrations and designs.

30 Candle Flame Overlays (PNG)

candle flamescandle flamescandle flames

If you're just looking for a candle flame, here are some premium candle flames that you can use! There are 30 flame designs to choose from, each one ready to use in a high-res PNG format. Use these to practice adding glow effects to them!

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial on how to add outer glow in Illustrator. If you'd like to learn more cool Illustrator skills, we've got more tutorials for you:


This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Jonathan Lam


Print Share Comment Cite Upload Translate Updates
APA

Jonathan Lam | Sciencx (2022-09-07T10:48:15+00:00) How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2022/09/07/how-to-add-outer-glow-in-illustrator/

MLA
" » How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator." Jonathan Lam | Sciencx - Wednesday September 7, 2022, https://www.scien.cx/2022/09/07/how-to-add-outer-glow-in-illustrator/
HARVARD
Jonathan Lam | Sciencx Wednesday September 7, 2022 » How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator., viewed ,<https://www.scien.cx/2022/09/07/how-to-add-outer-glow-in-illustrator/>
VANCOUVER
Jonathan Lam | Sciencx - » How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator. [Internet]. [Accessed ]. Available from: https://www.scien.cx/2022/09/07/how-to-add-outer-glow-in-illustrator/
CHICAGO
" » How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator." Jonathan Lam | Sciencx - Accessed . https://www.scien.cx/2022/09/07/how-to-add-outer-glow-in-illustrator/
IEEE
" » How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator." Jonathan Lam | Sciencx [Online]. Available: https://www.scien.cx/2022/09/07/how-to-add-outer-glow-in-illustrator/. [Accessed: ]
rf:citation
» How to Add Outer Glow in Illustrator | Jonathan Lam | Sciencx | https://www.scien.cx/2022/09/07/how-to-add-outer-glow-in-illustrator/ |

Please log in to upload a file.




There are no updates yet.
Click the Upload button above to add an update.

You must be logged in to translate posts. Please log in or register.