Adobe MAX showcases intriguing experimental 3D design tool, Project Neo

During Adobe MAX's engaging opening presentation yesterday in Miami, a neat tool stood out to me among the AI-fuelled content creation  s t u f f .

While showcasing some great Illustrator features, designer Michael Fugoso, who primarily works in 2D, showcased how he came out of his comfort zone to create 3D vector assets using an experimental tool (via Adobe Labs). 

Please don't judge this monstrosity that I made in a single minute for this screenshot

Project Neo is a web app designed to enhance the creation of geometric artwork in 3D. First introduced during last year's Adobe Max, it allows users to produce 3D shapes, icons, and anything else quickly using familiar Illustrator controls. 

The tool supports non-destructive workflows, providing control over colors, mid-tones, and shadows to add depth to vector and isometric illustrations.

You can export your creations as a PNG, JPEG, SVG, MP4 Video, and JSON.

Additionally, while not demonstrated today, Project Neo also supports real-time collaboration.

Micheal's Neo created planet designs shown during the presentation

During the keynote Michael showed how easy it was to create a planet in 3D and then quickly adapt it into multiple styles and export it directly into Illustrator.

As Project Neo is still just an exciting little experiment in Adobe Labs, if you make changes to your design, you'll need to re-export it again manually. However, I can easily see dynamic linking becoming a feature in the future if the app graduates out of the lab, or even being a feature directly in Illustrator one day.

For now, Project Neo is accessible through Adobe Labs for users with an Adobe account. It is available on Chrome and Safari browsers.