11 Steps: How to Make Revolve Arrows in Adobe Illustrator Using 3D Effect

Step 1: Make an arrow using the Rectangular and Star tool (for the arrow head). Don’t worry about colors at this point. You can easily change those later.

Step 2: Copy the arrows directly under each other, as shown in the image. I have used 8 arrows, but you may use as many as you like, depending on the size of the circle.

Step 3: Open the Symbols window and drag all the arrows into it, so all the arrows become one single symbol. This will make it easier for you to work with them as you can select them as one image.

Step 4: Create a circle using the Ellipse tool (Shift +Ellipse Tool). Again, the size of the circle depends on what you would like.

Step 5: Select the left anchor point of the circle using Direct Selection tool and delete it so you have a nice semi circle as a result.

Step 6a: Select the semi circle, go to Effect > 3D > Revolve.

Step 6b: Select Map Art at the bottom left of the window. A Map Art window will pop up.

Step 7: Tick the Invisible Geometry and Preview. Go to Symbols and select the arrow symbol (from step 2).

Step 8a: Now move and resize the arrows so that it looks like the arrows are revolving half way through the circle. Press OK.

Step 8b: Now in the 3D Revolve option window, change the angle of the arrows as desired and press OK.

Step 9: Select the resultant shape, go to Object and select Expand Appearance.

Step 10a: Select the arrow vector again, right click and ungroup it.

Step 10b: Right click again, then select the Release Clipping Mask so that you can separate the arrow vector from the circle.

Step 11: Now use the desired colour for your vector from the Swatch tab.