3D volumetric text is a new text rendering technology that allows you to create text that appears to be 3D. This technology is perfect for creating text that appears to be floating in space, or to create text that appears to be emanating from a specific point in space.
Three-dimensional text with 3D effect can be a great addition to your ads, as well as other text effects. The word written in volumetric letters immediately captures the attention and gives the unusualness of your layout.
In this tutorial will be considered in detail the creation of the inscription 3D in two styles (usual and with the reflection of the environment), as well as a detailed description of the settings of the appearance.
It’s worth noting right away that the 3D effect can be achieved in different ways. For example, by applying the embossing layer effect, drawing manually, etc.
This tutorial will talk about the application of the 3D function, which is available in all the latest versions of Photoshop.
Creating a 3D inscription
In the very beginning, you need to create a new image in Photoshop or open the image where your inscription should be.
Next, we create a text layer. By the way, the 3D effect itself will work not only with the text layer. You can squeeze the volume out of any other layer.
Select the text and click the appropriate button, as shown in the screenshot below:
You can also right-click on the layer with the text and select “New 3D Extrusion from Selected Layer”.
The text immediately gains thickness and becomes three-dimensional. Now it can be rotated, moved or resized.
Adjusting the 3D text
To get to the settings, you must select the text layer and open the “3D” panel. Here you can adjust all the necessary parameters for the inscription.
Among them are Environment, Scene, Curretn Veiw, Infinite Light, TEXT – text material settings.
Clicking on one of the items opens the settings in the “Properties” or “properties” panel. Here you can adjust all the parameters of this item.
In the Light (Infinite Light) tab, you adjust the location of the light source, which determines the degree of illumination of the letters and the location of the shadow.
In the view tab (Curretn Veiw), you set the main views and you can also save the selected view to return to it later.
Select your word in the 3D panel. Prepared presets (sets of settings) will be available in the properties. Choose the text extrusion you prefer, as shown in the screenshot below.
You can also change the overall color of your lettering here by selecting all the materials in the drop-down list.
If you’ve made a mistake in the text or want to change a word, you can do that in the same panel by clicking the “Edit source” button.
For example, I will make the word in capital letters.
After changing the text, it is obligatory to save the changes in the file, after which your text will change and the 3D effect will be updated.
Among the “Environment” settings, there is an automatic text reflection feature. If your text stands on the surface, this effect will complement well.
Now that you’re familiar with the basic settings, make your text the way you like it. You can also add a background and a reflection effect.
At the very end for the best display of 3D text you need to press the “Render” button and wait a bit.
3D text with a reflection of the background
Let’s make the task more difficult and make the reflection of the environment in the letters.
To do this, you have to delete the current texture in the Environment tab and put a new texture.
The new texture is created white by default. Go to the Layers tab and copy the background layer by pressing CTRL+A and CTRL+C.
Open the texture by selecting “Edit Texture”. Press CTRL+V and the background texture. Close the texture image with the changes saved.
The reflection of the environment should appear on your letters.
To make it more visible, it is advisable to make the color of the letters black.
You can split up the letters and rotate them at different angles. To do this, choose 3D/Split Extrusion in the menu. Now you can adjust the position of the letters separately.