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To get started, make a design like this in a vector drawing program such as Illustrator or Freehand.
There are different ways to go about this, but the simpler the better. |
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I've found the way that works best is to have four self-intersecting shapes that when pulled apart would look like this. |
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When filled and stroked it could look like something like this.
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After pasting into a 3-D program, such as Dimensions here, you should get something that looks like this. It would probably be good to remove all fills and strokes before pasting in. |
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Now extrude the design, as on the left. |
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It should then look something like this.
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When you paste it back into a vector drawing program, and when you fill it, you'll probably end up with a kind of mess like this, depending on how the original design was constructed.
From here it's a matter of art. You may find duplicate paths you don't need, so eliminate them one by one.
Put the outer circle, the inner S-shape, and the two smaller circles all on different layers for easier control. Keep adjusting, while using gradients, until you come up with something like the picture below. |
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I tapered off the inner S-shape to give it a non-directional appearance, and the outer circle appears to taper into two parts as well, although the circles are still connected. The two inner circles, using the gradients, overlap on each other in an impossible contortion to throw off the eye. The gradients, of course, are the whole key here in the end, so adjust them carefully.
Finally, throw in a background that will enhance the effect. |
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Notes
