How to Apply 3-D Perspective to Text in Illustrator CS5

Creating perspective in text in Adobe Illustrator CS5 does not take a great deal of work if you use the Extrude & Bevel effects available in the Effects menu. When creating perspective in your text, make sure you select the Preview option. This allows you to see the effect of any change you make on the document as you make it. Finish off the 3-D perspective by creating a drop shadow on the text to make it look like it is extending from the page or screen.

Instructions

1. Create a new document in Illustrator. Click the "Type Tool." Drag the tool across the document to create a text box, then type some text.

2. Click the "Selection Tool." Double-click the text to highlight it, then select the font, font color and size you desire.

3. Select the "Effect" menu, then "3-D," and then "Extrude & Bevel." The 3-D Extrude & Bevel Option window opens.

4. Click the "Preview" check box. Click the "Position" menu and select "Custom Rotation." Drag the 3-D box in the Options window to change the rotation. As you move the box, the text changes in your document.

5. Change the Extrude Depth to "30 pt" and leave the other values at their default settings. Click "OK."

6. Click the "Effects" menu, then "Stylize," and then "Drop Shadow." Click the "Preview" check box and experiment with the settings. For a starting point, you can set the mode to "Normal," Opacity at "66," X Offset at "0" and Y Offset at "0.04 inches." Set the Blur at "0.02 inches."

References

• Saffron Stroke: Create 3D Text Using Adobe Illustrator CS5; July 2010
• Adobe Help: Illustrator CS5: Extrude & Bevel Options
• Adobe Help: Illustrator CS5: Create a Drop Shadow