Photoshop: Creating 3D Text (Basic)
Posted 06-20-2008 at 06:37 PM by TR
Alright, basically I'm going to give a short walk-through on of my favorite styles which is sort of a 3D text. This doesn't take much skill and so the people who would like to learn some new things cause start with this. I'm using CS3 but you can also do this in CS2 as well as CS. Alright, so lets get started (Since blogs are limited to only 4 images, I'm afraid the images will be links for the steps):
At first, I'll show you how I did Reaper PMS' signature.
There are 2 parts to this tutorial since the text I used on Reapers ("TOY SOLDIERS", dafont.com) is already tilted, so on the second part I'll show you how you can do this with more flat text.
Step 1:
Open up a new layer with a transparent background. For Reapers, I did just 500w by 200h. Once you got that open, type out the tag you wish to use.
Example 1
Step 2:
Once you have that down and positioned in the center as best you can, head up to the menu bar. Go to Layer -> Duplicate Layer.
Example 2
Step 3:
On the pop-up window, just name it whatever you want, just as long as you know which is which.
Example 3
Step 4:
With both layers in the same position, head over to your "Layers" window in your workspace. You'll see your duplicate layer on top.
Example 4
Step 5:
Click it, and drag it to the bottom so its below your primary layer.
Example 5
Step 6:
Now. Make sure you have the bottom layer selected (The duplicate one), and use your arrow keys to move it down (If you prefer your mouse, hold shift while dragging) about 3-4 notches (I used 3).
Example 6
Step 7:
Head back down to your "Layers" window in your workspace. Right-click (or you can go to "Layer" in the menu bar. If you do, make sure you have your duplicate, the bottom, layer selected) on the bottom layer, and go to "Blending Options."
Example 7
Step 8:
Now you should be in your Blending Options Window.
Example 8
Step 9:
Go down to "Color Overlay." You can mess with the colors, or use a gradient, but we'll just go with the default Red for now.
Example 9
Step 10 (Optional):
Since the text was pretty bold, I decided to make the red pop out more and added a Red Out Glow. Your text should preview the outcome, so make sure it looks to your content. You don't have to do this.
Example 10
Step 11:
Now, Press OK. And here is my outcome:
And thats basically it. You have the surroundings to add what you like to it, or you can just leave it as is. Now, lets say your working with a more thin, flat text:
Step 1:
Make your transparent background, and add your text. (The text I use is the GTA "Pricedown," Dafont.com).
Example 1
Step 2:
Now, Select the text, and you should have the transform boxes around it. If you dont, go up to your toolbar, and there should be (to your far left) "Show Transform..." and a checkbox. Make sure its checked. Once you've got the transform boxed, go to the bottom center box. Click, Hold shift, and drag it upwards about 1/4 of the text' original height.
Example 2
Step 3:
Once your done, go to your side toolbar and just click on another random tool so you get this pop-up. Then click "Apply."
Example 3
Step 4:
Now. Once again, Layer -> Duplicate (You can also right-click on the layer and select the same option).
Example 4
Step 5:
Choose layer name, press "OK."
Example 5
Step 6:
Once again, drag the duplicate below the primary.
Example 6
Step 7:
As before, move the bottom (duplicate) layer down. For this one, I did about 5-6 notches.
Example 7
Step 8:
Back to Layer -> Blending Options. I did Red again as default.
Example 8
Step 9 (Optional):
Now, for a flatter type of text, I decided to do it a little different. Once again, you dont have to do this step. While in Blending Options menu, go down to "Stroke." I added a 2px, black stroke. If you plan to do this, make sure you change the position of it to "Inside."
Example 9
Step 10:
Press OK, and here is my outcome;
Step 11 (Optional):
Now, I chose to make it a tad more 3D. So if you want to try, go back to Layers -> Blending Options (make sure the bottom layer is selected, too). Now, add a Drop Shadow. To make it seem like its high above surface, I increased the "Distance" to 21px. To make the shadow appear directly under the text (so it looks like the light is above), change the position to 90 degrees.
Example 11
And here is my second outcome:
Preview
And if you wanted, here how it looks without the stroke: Preview without stroke
And there you have it. Hope it helps
At first, I'll show you how I did Reaper PMS' signature.
There are 2 parts to this tutorial since the text I used on Reapers ("TOY SOLDIERS", dafont.com) is already tilted, so on the second part I'll show you how you can do this with more flat text.
Step 1:
Open up a new layer with a transparent background. For Reapers, I did just 500w by 200h. Once you got that open, type out the tag you wish to use.
Example 1
Step 2:
Once you have that down and positioned in the center as best you can, head up to the menu bar. Go to Layer -> Duplicate Layer.
Example 2
Step 3:
On the pop-up window, just name it whatever you want, just as long as you know which is which.
Example 3
Step 4:
With both layers in the same position, head over to your "Layers" window in your workspace. You'll see your duplicate layer on top.
Example 4
Step 5:
Click it, and drag it to the bottom so its below your primary layer.
Example 5
Step 6:
Now. Make sure you have the bottom layer selected (The duplicate one), and use your arrow keys to move it down (If you prefer your mouse, hold shift while dragging) about 3-4 notches (I used 3).
Example 6
Step 7:
Head back down to your "Layers" window in your workspace. Right-click (or you can go to "Layer" in the menu bar. If you do, make sure you have your duplicate, the bottom, layer selected) on the bottom layer, and go to "Blending Options."
Example 7
Step 8:
Now you should be in your Blending Options Window.
Example 8
Step 9:
Go down to "Color Overlay." You can mess with the colors, or use a gradient, but we'll just go with the default Red for now.
Example 9
Step 10 (Optional):
Since the text was pretty bold, I decided to make the red pop out more and added a Red Out Glow. Your text should preview the outcome, so make sure it looks to your content. You don't have to do this.
Example 10
Step 11:
Now, Press OK. And here is my outcome:
And thats basically it. You have the surroundings to add what you like to it, or you can just leave it as is. Now, lets say your working with a more thin, flat text:
Step 1:
Make your transparent background, and add your text. (The text I use is the GTA "Pricedown," Dafont.com).
Example 1
Step 2:
Now, Select the text, and you should have the transform boxes around it. If you dont, go up to your toolbar, and there should be (to your far left) "Show Transform..." and a checkbox. Make sure its checked. Once you've got the transform boxed, go to the bottom center box. Click, Hold shift, and drag it upwards about 1/4 of the text' original height.
Example 2
Step 3:
Once your done, go to your side toolbar and just click on another random tool so you get this pop-up. Then click "Apply."
Example 3
Step 4:
Now. Once again, Layer -> Duplicate (You can also right-click on the layer and select the same option).
Example 4
Step 5:
Choose layer name, press "OK."
Example 5
Step 6:
Once again, drag the duplicate below the primary.
Example 6
Step 7:
As before, move the bottom (duplicate) layer down. For this one, I did about 5-6 notches.
Example 7
Step 8:
Back to Layer -> Blending Options. I did Red again as default.
Example 8
Step 9 (Optional):
Now, for a flatter type of text, I decided to do it a little different. Once again, you dont have to do this step. While in Blending Options menu, go down to "Stroke." I added a 2px, black stroke. If you plan to do this, make sure you change the position of it to "Inside."
Example 9
Step 10:
Press OK, and here is my outcome;
Step 11 (Optional):
Now, I chose to make it a tad more 3D. So if you want to try, go back to Layers -> Blending Options (make sure the bottom layer is selected, too). Now, add a Drop Shadow. To make it seem like its high above surface, I increased the "Distance" to 21px. To make the shadow appear directly under the text (so it looks like the light is above), change the position to 90 degrees.
Example 11
And here is my second outcome:
Preview
And if you wanted, here how it looks without the stroke: Preview without stroke
And there you have it. Hope it helps
Total Comments 1
Comments
-
Great tutorial man!!!Posted 06-21-2008 at 10:01 AM by Small fry 
