Glass Button

This tutorial (along with the plastic/gel buttons tutorials) is very closely linked to the 3D-Sphere tutorial. The techniques used are mostly the same, so if you haven't yet mastered creating a 3D-Sphere, I would suggest you try it now! (3D-Sphere). In this case, we'll be creating something like the above button.

Creating your button

Start by drawing a 100x100 circle and choose a fill colour for your circle.

Apply a GAUSSIAN BLUR effect of around 0.5 to smooth the image (EFFECT>BLUR>GAUSSIAN BLUR).

EDIT>COPY and EDIT>PASTE this circle. The original circle will disappear behind the new object. While this is still "selected", change the fill colour to WHITE.

Now click MODIFY>ALTER PATH>INSET PATH. Set the parameters to "inset" the graphic by 10pixels, as follows:

Your original object will now be visible behind the white circle.While this white circle is still selected, COPY and PASTE it.

Now, press SHIFT and press the DOWN ARROW once. This will move the new white circle 10pixels downwards and you will see the original white circle behind it.

Again, press SHIFT and select the original white circle. BOTH white circles should now be "included" in your selection.

Now click MODIFY>COMBINE>PUNCH, and see what happens!

This should leave you with a white crescent shape (still selected), to which you should now apply a GAUSSIAN BLUR effect of around 4 (Click EFFECT>BLUR>GAUSSIAN BLUR).

Once this is done, click on the main circle to select it.

The next step is to apply an INNER GLOW to your image (EFFECT>SHADOW AND GLOW>INNER GLOW) to give better edge definition. This may be in the default (BLACK) colour, or you may prefer a darker variation of your main fill colour. Experiment with the settings available. Always remember that by clicking the small "i" in the Effects panel, you can go back and change your settings, if necessary!

Nearly done, now! To finish off, simulate an "inner highlight" effect by applying a RADIAL FILL to the image. Remember to set the fill as WHITE>YOUR FILL COLOUR if necessary (See 3D-Sphere tutorial for a refresher on how to do this).

Click and drag the "round" handle on the radial control bar to the BOTTOM of your circle.

And you're done! Apart from experimenting with the fills etc., which is worth doing! For example, the following image uses the RIPPLE fill, rather than the RADIAL fill. A little bit of tweaking and you get "smoky" glass, rather than transparent glass!

Give it a go!