How to Create 3D Text in Adobe Illustrator

Introduction

Welcome back to Adobe’s YouTube channel! My name is Jess Goldsmith, and I’m an illustrator and lettering artist with about a decade of experience in the industry. In this article, I will be sharing my knowledge on how to master typography and text-based design in Adobe Illustrator, specifically focusing on creating stunning 3D text.

In this guide, we will explore how to take your typography to the next dimension by utilizing Adobe Illustrator’s built-in 3D capabilities. Today, we will work with the word "create" and demonstrate both the Extrude and Bevel and Inflate options.

Getting Started with 3D Text

To start, choose a thicker bubbly font when working with 3D text for better results. If you decide to use type, ensure that you outline it for further customization. Here’s how to access the 3D text options:

Navigate to Effect > 3D > Materials > Extrude and Bevel.
For this tutorial, we will focus on the Extrude and Bevel and Inflate settings.

Using the Extrude and Bevel Option

The Extrude setting provides a 3D "pushed out" effect. You can adjust various settings:

Depth: Control how far the text extrudes.
Twist and Taper: Add unique angles and shapes to your extrusion.
Caps: Manage the front base of your text (though I prefer to leave it off).

You can also enable the bevel feature for added customization by adjusting the shape, width, height, and spacing of the bevel layers. Though you can bevel both sides of your text, I suggest skipping the back bevel since it won't be visible in most designs.

Inflation Settings

Next, we’ll look at the Inflate option:

Duplicate the original text.
Change the settings to "Inflate," adjusting the depth, twist, taper, and cap settings as desired.

With Inflation, you will notice that the bevel option is absent but instead have a volume adjustment to control how inflated your text looks.

Material and Color Customization

Now let’s move to the materials panel. You will see that Illustrator provides various materials, some of which may be linked to your Adobe subscription and Adobe Substance. The default material is a good starting point, but feel free to customize the color of the entire text, individual letters, or create your own patterns.

To avoid any lags while rendering, adjust the render settings by changing the DPI to 72 and setting render quality to low initially.

With 3D text selected, drag your pre-made pattern into the materials panel to apply it. You can adjust the scale and rotation of the pattern for added flair. Keep in mind that heavy patterns may slow the performance, so if needed, disable the 3D settings temporarily for adjustments.

Adjusting Material Properties

In the materials settings, you can modify:

Roughness: Controls the surface texture.
Reflectiveness: Adjust how glossy or matte your material appears.
Metallic Properties: Configure the metallic look of your text.

Lighting Settings

Next, you can play around with lighting settings to enhance your 3D text. The type, intensity, and directions of shadows will greatly affect the final outcome. Just experiment until you find what looks right.

Final Rendering and Output

When you’re satisfied with the look of your text, return to the render settings to change the DPI to a minimum of 300 and set the render to high. Hit the render button to see a noticeable quality enhancement. You can opt to render your design as a vector, or export as high-resolution PNG for use.

In conclusion, by utilizing these techniques in Adobe Illustrator, you can create dynamic 3D text that truly stands out. Thank you for joining me in this tutorial, and I hope you learned something new to apply in your future workflows! Don't forget to subscribe to Adobe’s YouTube channel for more exciting content.

Keywords

3D Text
Adobe Illustrator
Extrude and Bevel
Inflate
Typography
Rendering
Materials
Lighting Settings

FAQ

Q: What is the best font to use for creating 3D text in Illustrator?
A: It’s recommended to choose a thicker, bubbly font to achieve the best results in 3D.

Q: How do I access the 3D options in Adobe Illustrator?
A: You can access the 3D options by navigating to Effect > 3D > Materials > Extrude and Bevel.

Q: Can I use my own patterns on 3D text?
A: Yes! You can create your own patterns and apply them to your 3D text within the materials panel.

Q: What should I do if my computer slows down while rendering?
A: Lower the render settings by adjusting the DPI to 72 and render settings to low. You can also temporarily disable 3D settings during adjustments.

Q: How do I improve the quality of my rendered 3D text?
A: Increase the DPI to at least 300 and change the render settings to high before hitting render to enhance quality.