Level Up Your Letterings: 3D Magic with Adobe Illustrator!
corpacer / / Illustrator / July 30, 2023
Ever wondered how to take your brand from ordinary to extraordinary with a single stroke? Ever struggled to add that “wow” factor to your marketing materials?
In this article, we’ll guide you step by step through creating different types of eye-catching 3D letterings that pop off the screen and leap into the hearts of your audiences.
Select the Type tool to start inputting your desired text. Find the Character section of the Properties panel, then click the Find More tab in the Fonts drop-down menu to search Adobe Fonts. When you find a font you like, click the cloud icon to sync it, then type a letter. The font Grover Heavy Regular was used in the design below.
Step 2: Enter the third dimension
Click the Selection tool then choose Effect > 3D and Materials > Extrude & Bevel. Adjust the depth to your desired level. The design below kept the default depth at 50pt.
Step 3: Add some texture and some twist
Select the Materials tab, scroll to the All Materials section, and choose a material you like. Then, further down, customize the Paint Color swatches and fine-tune the other settings to get the look you want.
Drag along the crossbars of the track cube to rotate around the x-axis or y-axis. We dragged along the outer wheel to rotate the letter around the z-axis. Hold Alt (Windows) or Option (macOS) and drag the letter/text to duplicate it. Double-click the letter/text to change it and use the track cube to change its position. Continue to duplicate and adjust letters until your design is complete.
METHOD 2: THE PLAYFUL INFLATE TOOL
Step 1: Find your font
Similar to the method above, select the Type tool to begin inputting your desired text. Next, find the Character section of the Properties panel. Click the Find More tab in the Fonts drop-down menu to search Adobe Fonts. When you find a font you like, click the cloud icon to sync it, then type a letter.
* Heavier and bolder font types look better with the inflate effect!
Step 2: Inflate it
Select the fonts with the Selection tool, then choose Effect > 3D and Materials > Inflate.
Step 3: Make it shine
These fluffy inflated text goes better with a glossy sheen! Go to Effect > 3D and Materials > Material, choose the Default and set the Roughness to 0.06, and the Metallic to 0. You can experiment and adjust according to your preference!
As you make changes, your real-time preview will give you a good idea of how your 3D object will appear. To confirm your adjustments, click the Render icon at the upper right corner of the 3D and Materials properties panel. Rendering will take a moment, so feel free to hold off on this step, if preferred.
Step 4: Fine-tune your lighting
If you like, you can give a few tweaks to your lighting and shadows. Head over to Effect > 3D and Materials > Lighting to access settings.
To achieve a similar effect to the artwork below, adjust the Intensity to 58%, the Rotation to -147°, the Height to 27°, and the Softness to 20%. Check the box for Ambient Light, and set the Intensity to 22%.
Step 5: Amp up the shadows
You can also add more dimension by adjusting the settings for Shadows. To do so, click the Shadows toggle. For Position, select Behind Object from the pull-down options.
To achieve a similar effect to the sample artwork, specify the Distance from Object at 0%, and Shadow Rounds to 70%. Click the Render button again to apply your settings.
Conclusion
In just a few straightforward steps, we’ve unveiled the magic of turning ordinary words and text into head-turning headings. Ready to unleash your creativity? Experiment today and infuse your designs with that extra flair!
Happy designing!
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