final

In this tutorial we’re going to work with 3D text and apply some light effects to have a more realistic look. The 3D feature in Photoshop is not easy to work with, and not perfect, but still we can reach great results using it.

Step 1

Let’s begin by creating our document in Photoshop with the following settings.

Step 2

Our background will be an image, that you can download here. After downloading the image, import it to the document and scale it as you wish.

Step 3

Now, we’re going to add a light effect to that texture. Go to Filter > Render and choose Lighting Effects.

Step 4

To add a little more contrast to the background, creat an adjustment layer (Levels).

Step 5

Now, let’s type the text we want with color #e5dfda and size around 180pt. I’ve used the font Laconic. Position the text in the center of the document.

Step 6

We need to use the Repoussé in order to give the 3D look to the text. Go to menu at the top of the screen 3D > Repoussé and choose Text Layer. A pop-up window will show up warning you that in order to continue, the layer must be rasterized. Click Yes. The Repoussé appears and we’ll leave all the settings default, except the Bevel. After changing those values, choose Pan the Mesh tool to move the layer. Move it to a perspective as if you were to look under it.

Step 7

Now that the 3D layer is created, just duplicate it. Call “shadow” to the new duplicated layer. Move the layer to under the original one and clicking with right mouse button on the layer choose “Rasterize 3D”.

Step 8

Hide the main 3D layer. Again, with the right mouse button, click on the layer and choose blending options. Add a Color Overlay effect and set the color to black. Then, with the Brush tool, set size around 50px, 0% hardness and 40% for its opacity, paint some the holes inside the text. Paint it, many times you think it’s better.

Step 9

In this step we’re going to scale the shadows, as if they were being projected. Reveal the main 3D layer, get back and select the shadow layer and press CMD (Control) + T and start distorting.
When you feel satisfied with the result, simply press Enter. Go to Filter > Blur and apply a Gaussian Blur filter. Set the value to around 10px. Then, go again to the Filter menu, Blur and choose Motion Blur and set the angle to 90º and distance to 30px.
If you’re not satisfied with the result you can scale it again a little bit more. Erase the areas at the top of the shadow.

Step 10

Now, let’s give a texture to our 3D text. Download the texture here. Import it to the document, call it “front texture” and pressing CMD (Control) click on the 3D text layer’s thumbnail. The selection is made and with our texture’s layer selected create a layer mask. Change the blend mode to Luminosity.
Now, duplicate the layer, remove its layer mask and change the new layer’s blend mode to Multiply. Position the mouse between the “front texture” layer and the “front texture copy” layer, press the Option key (Alt) and click.

Step 11

Duplicate the “front texture” layer, call it “side texture”, change the blend mode to Multiply and remove the layer mask. Duplicate the 3D text layer and rasterize it. With the new duplicated layer selected, grab the Magic Wand tool and select the front side of the text by by pressing CMD (Control) and clicking on the main 3D text layer’s thumbnail. Delete the selected area and deselect. Now select the “front texture” layer and pressing CMD (Control), click on the duplicated layer’s thumbnail and create a layer mask. After that, you can delete the duplicated layer.

Step 11

Apply two adjustment layers to the “side texture” layer.

Step 12

Our 3D text effect is done. Let’s add our neon effect. Type what you want under the 3D text. Use the fontFinder at 95pt.
Add the following layerstyle.
Create a new group and change the blend mode to Color Dodge. Duplicate the text layer, clear the layer style and drag it inside the new group. Select again the first text layer and go to Filter > Blur and apply a Gaussian Blur filter.
Go to second text layer and apply a Gaussian Blur filter too and this layer style.
Select the group we’ve created to do the neon style and then, pressing Shift key select the first text layer. Go to the menu, Layer > Duplicate Layers. Now, without deselecting the new layers, press CMD (Control) + E. A new layer was created. Drag it under the first text layer. Go to Filter > Blur and choose Gaussian Blur. Set the radius to around 30px and then change the layer’s blend mode to Color Dodge. Duplicate this layer.

Step 13

Now we need to erase some areas of the shadows. Grab the eraser tool and set the opacity to 15%.

Final Image