Create A 3D Text Effect in Photoshop

Step 1 :

Start with a new document of 1280 pixel by 1024 pixel, and 72px/inch resolution.

Step 2 :

Now select a text tool and type "MCL". You can choose any font you like; a simple bold sans-serif font would be a good choice. Keep the color of the font grey. Now make a duplicate of this layer by 'layer via copy' (ctrl+J). Doing this is not actually necessary but as in the next step we are going to convert this text to other forms, it is good practice to keep a backup of the text. When you are experimenting with text, keeping a backup can be useful, in case something goes wrong.

Now right click on the copied text layer (MCL copy), and select “Convert to shape” from the list that appears. Now the MCL text is converted to shape.

Step 3 :

In this step we are going to transform the shape of the MCL text to give it the desired perspective as depicted below. From the “Edit” menu you can use the 'Transform' option or you can simply press 'Ctrl+T'. Now hold 'Ctrl' key and distort the shape by dragging the corner of the bounding box.

Step 4 :

Make a duplicate (Ctrl+L) of the shape layer and change the layer order (Ctrl+[) to bring it below the layer from which it was copied. You can change the layer color by double clicking on the color box in the layer. Now position this shape as you can see in the image below.

Step 5 :

Now select 'Pen' tool and edit the path of the shape to join the edges of the text on the 2 layers.

Finally, after completing this step we will get a very basic 3D shape of the MCL text, as you can see below.

Step 6 :

This 3D text is very basic and we need to add some effects to make it look realistic. Before we proceed, we need to separate each shape from one another. So duplicate the 'MCL copy 2 layer' (Ctrl+J) twice. You should now have three layers in total. Now select 'Path selection tool' to keep one character and eliminate the other two. Finally we will get three distinct shapes of “M”, “C” and “L” in three different layers.

Step 7 :

Now select the layer 'MCL copy' and add a 'Gradient Adjustment layer' to it. Holding the 'Alt' key, click once between the two layers, so that the adjustment layer only affects the layer just below it.

Adjust the gradient in such a way that it looks like the figure displayed below.

Step 8 :

For better visualization, change the background color to dark gray.

Now select each layer in turn and add a 'Level Adjustment layer' to 'MCL copy4', 'MCL copy3' and 'MCL copy2’.This is not as complicated as it might seem. You simply need to do it one by one. Just remember to keep the value of each level same.

Now select the brush tool and brush the mask part of the adjustment layer with black and white color to make it appear realistic by increasing and decreasing the shaded areas. You can adjust the softness or hardness of the brush according to your need. Just follow the image below, for example.

Step 9 :

Hold the Ctrl key and click on 'MCL copy' layer. You will get a selection marquee. Select a new layer and name it 'edge'. Now go to edit menu and select 'Stroke'(Alt+E+S). Set the value as shown below.

Step 10 :

Make a copy of the 'edge' layer (Ctrl+J). Now turn off the visibility button of the 'edge ' layer. Select 'edge' copy layer and apply Filter>Blur>Gaussian and “blur”. Put Radius value of 1.2 pixels. This will add some softness to the edge. Now turn on the visibility button of the 'edge ' layer and set the opacity to 30%.

Step 11 :

To make the 3D text more realistic, we need to add a shadow to it. Make a copy (Ctrl+J) of ‘MCL copy' layer and rasterize the layer. Make it darker and bring this layer below all the other layers but above the background layer. Move the shape a little bit towards the right. Make a copy (Ctrl+J) of this and move again. After doing this copy, you have to move two more times. Finally, the shadow to the 3D shape would look something like one displayed below.

Select all the shadow layers in layer panel and merge them into one single layer. Apply Filter>Blur>Motion Blur to it like in the figure below.

Step 12 :

Where there is a shadow there should be light. So let's add Light. Take the 'Elliptical Marquee tool', set the feather value to 40 and draw an ellipse around the text.

Now take a new layer between the background layer and the shadow layer. Fill it with white. Next we need to transform it to fit with the perspective of 3D shape as below.

To adjust the light you can modify the Gaussian blur on it.

Finally you will get the completed image as you see below. You are free to experiment with light, color and texture, according to your own choice. To dramatize the effect, you can add texture to the 3Dtext and surface.

We hope you have enjoyed this tutorial. Watch this space for more interesting tutorials.
Thank you.