This document is a tutorial that teaches how to create 3D type in Photoshop CS6 Extended. It discusses choosing a font, extruding the type, texturing it, splitting the extrusion to move letters individually, adding lighting effects, and further enhancing the composition with additional textures and effects. The tutorial contains step-by-step instructions and screenshots to guide the reader through the process. It is authored by Marcus Byrne, a senior designer and retoucher with over a decade of experience working with brands.

1. 3D Type Tutorial
Photoshop CS6 Extended
Using the new 3D engine Photoshop CS6 Extended,
create 3D type in various scenes.
BY Marcus byrne
SENIOR designer & creative RETOUCHER

2. ABOUT THE TUTORIAL
Learn how to create 3D Type in Photoshop CS6 Extended.
If you are new to the 3D world, just take it easy and follow
the steps slowly. It can be frustrating for a beginner but with
practice, the 3D space becomes less intimidating.
If you are familiar with 3D software like Cinema 4D
or 3D Studio Max, you should pick it up quite quickly.

3. 3D Type in London
During a recent break
in London, I shot some
iconic London imagery
including the famous red
telephone boxes.
In this tutorial, I’ll take
you through various steps
used to create 3D Type,
texture and final crafting.
Open up Photoshop CS6,
download an image to
work with and get started.

4. 01
Choose a font
Click the type tool and
type in the words.
Choose a font that will
work well with the
concept. I chose to use
the font “Mod”. It works
well with this idea as I
wanted the characters
to have a thick blocky
feel to sit well in the
environment.

5. 02
Extrude the type
With the type layer selected
in the layer palette, go
Type>Extrude to 3D. This
extrudes the type. Go to the
properties menu to see the
extrude options.
In Mesh, make sure Cast and
Catch Shadows are ticked.
In Deform, Set the Extrusion
depth to 314. Set Bevel
Contour edges, Twist and
Taper to something you are
happy with.

6. 03
TexturING
We can explore all the faces
and texture them. I used a
native texture and played
around with the various
parameters to create a
stone look.
Photoshop CS6 Extended
has some interesting
material parameters to get
you started on your base
texture.

7. 04
Split the extrusion
To move the different letters
in different positions we
need to split the extrusion.
With Layer selected, go
3D>Split Extrusion. Open
the type folder In the 3D
layer palette to see the
different letters.
Re-name them to organise.
Click the 3D faces and see
them selected on the comp.

8. 05
LIGHTING
The 3D world wouldn’t be
visible without light. The
default light is set to Infinite
Light. There are Spot and
Point options too.
Change the parameters by
selecting Infinite light in the
3D Palette. In the Properties
Panel, have a play with
intensity and the Shadow
Softness. Point the light by
moving the “Ball Device” in
the heads up display.

9. 06
Add extra texture
Shooting textures is a great
way to build up a library of
materials to use in your 3D
work.
Using masks and the
eraser tool, refine your
composition with extra
textures and shadows, this
brings your work to a new
level. Final touches using
adjustment layers with High
Pass filter to sharpen, finally
de-saturate the image.
Finish with some noise to
the overall composition.

11. The following project
features 3D type created
in cinema 4D with
texturing & grading
IN photoshop

16. publications
featuring various
projects & tutorials

21. Marcus byrne
SENIOR designer
& creative RETOUCHER
With over a decade of international industry experience
across leading brands such as Honda, Holden,
Medibank, Australian Defence Force. Marcus works
across Print, Digital, 3D, Retouching, Photography and
Motion Graphics.
Marcus also writes and creates tutorials for Advanced
Photoshop and Photoshop Creative publications.
Most recently he created the cover artwork for
Advanced Photoshop exploring 3D Type.
Email marcusbbyrne@gmail.com
Web marcusbyrne.com / behance.net/mobdesign