You can create isometric objects in two ways - projecting flat shapes or drawing isometric shapees. Any Illustrator artwork can be projected to top, front and side planes with the cube icon in the CADisometric palette. If you prefer to draw directly in isometric view, use CADtools isometric drawing tools and CADgrids to create shapes in top, front, or side views.

Isometric plane projection
To try projection, first create three views - top, front, and side - arranged in an 'L' shape as shown. For best results, group the artwork for each view. Select the artwork in the front view and click the front plane of the cube icon in the CADisometric palette. The artwork will be instantly projected to a front view. Then select the artwork in the top view and click the top plane of the cube icon. Select the artwork in the (right) side view and click the (right) side plane of the cube icon. After projecting the artwork, you may want to change the view angles before drawing more isometric objects. Simply click and drag on the cube icon (with it unlocked) to see how your artwork looks in other views. For best results, decide on your view angles and lock the cube icon before creating a complex isometric illustration.