How to do an Easy 3D Effect in Procreate

So recently, we made a classic wavy checkerboard in Procreate. Super simple. Super graphic. Very “I could put this on everything.”

But what if we zhuzh it up a bit? Like… make it feel dimensional. Slightly trippy. 3D without actually doing anything complicated.

Good news: it’s still easy. We’re just stacking a couple tiny tricks on top of what you already made.

If you followed the last tutorial, you’re already 90% there. (And if you’re just joining us, go make that checkerboard first. This builds right on top of it.)

What you’ll need

Your finished checkerboard file
iPad
Procreate

Step 1: Open your checkerboard design

Use our previous step-by-step if you don't already have your checkerboard design.

Step 2: Draw a wavy line on a new layer

Create a new layer on top of your checkerboard.
Grab black and draw a single wavy line across your design.
(Don’t overthink this. One confident swoop from one side to the other is all you need. It’s okay if it runs off the edges!)

Think of this like the “path” your wave is going to follow.

Step 2: Outline it in white

(Optional) Create another new layer. I do this in case I need to make edits before committing, but eventually this will be on the same layer as the previous.
Switch to white.
Now outline that black line with a bit of spacing between on both sides.
You’re basically tracing it to create a chunky little highlight border. Remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect or precious!

how to make 3D effect in procreate

Step 3: Warp the checkerboard

Now for the fun part.

Select your main checkerboard layer (not the lines).
Go to: Adjustments → Liquify → Push
Use a fairly large brush and follow along the same wavy path you drew earlier.
You’re literally pushing the checkerboard along that curve.

warp tool in procreate tutorial for 3d effect

Step 4: Merge your line layers

If your black and white line layers are still separate, merge them together in the Layer panel by pinching them together.

Step 5: Blur the lines to make the 3D glow

With your merged line layer selected:

Go to: Adjustments → Gaussian Blur
Drag to the right anywhere on the screen to blur, and watch what happens!

The blur softens those edges and creates this subtle glow that makes the wave look raised, almost embossed. It’s such a small detail but it sells the whole illusion.

add 3D effect in procreate with gaussian blur how to make a 3d effect in procreate

That’s it! Seriously.

And just like that, a couple extra layers and suddenly your design has been elevated and feels way fancier.

This is one of my favorite reminders that designs don’t have to start complicated. Most of mine start exactly like this. A super basic grid or shape, then little tweaks, texture, distortion, color play. One tiny experiment at a time.

If you’re having that “wait… I kinda want to design a million of these now” feeling, that’s basically the entire energy behind all my Procreate classes! We take simple building blocks like this and turn them into full designs. From playful illustrations to seamless repeats you can use for fabric, products, prints, all of it.

But for now, just play.

Try: