If you hold the Option/Alt Key, you will be able to rotate your 3D object clockwise or counter-clockwise. This will allow you to adjust the angle of the overall design. The default tool will allow you to pan around the text within a 3D workspace. The window in the top-left corner gives you a bird’s eye view of your 3D text. To turn a flat layer into a 3D layer, simply go to “3D” > “New 3D Extrusion From Selected Layer.” Below is a shot of the default view when you first enter 3D mode. If you create it using black, then the 3D version will be black as well, making the shadows and highlights harder to see and control. I chose DINPro and typed the word “Create.” When creating your text for 3D purposes, it is best that the color is roughly 50% grey instead of black or white, because a neutral makes it easier to create light and shadows. Typically, sans serif typefaces work best, and if a bold weight is available, that is even better. To start building 3D typography, select a typeface with fairly large stroke widths.
Creating things like 3D typography are even easier, and you have much more control than ever before. 3D was integrated in the previous version of Photoshop, but in Photoshop CS6, the 3D menus have been completely overhauled. You can merge images together, create digital artwork, matte paintings, correct images, or create just about any type of artwork from scratch. When you are satisfied with the look, go the ‘3D – Render 3D Layer’, and Photoshop will work to analyze the environment of the object and adjust lighting and details to make the subject fit in as well as possible.Photoshop has always been a great tool for creating cutting-edge imagery. Here, the goal is to look pretty realistic. Now that you have the Tools, you can work on the Lighting and Shadows of the subject until it blends in with the image. Click on Properties with Current View selected, and you can adjust the rotation of the current view until it looks just right. Go back to the 3D tab and choose Current View. Now that the subject and its Shadow are in the right place on the ‘ground’, we simply need to move our camera view until the subject looks like its lying on the car. Tap “Move To Ground” if your subject is floating above the Grid. With the Logo layer selected, hop in to Properties and adjust the number values for the X axis to lay the Logo on its back. You can play around with your subject’s Shadow qualities here. In 3D, click “Environment” and return to Properties. Another way to move and rotate your subject is by changing the number values here. We chose the first one on the second row here.įrom the icons on the top of the Properties window, select “Coordinates”. We can also look at shape Presets here, which add some 3D detail to the subject. In the Properties tab, use the slider to change the extrusion Depth – in this case, we want it to be relatively thin. If you click on the Infinite Light option in the 3D tab, you can manipulate the Light source as well to change the lighting cast on the subject.Ĭlicking on the Current View option allows you to adjust the Angle you are viewing the subject in. And Scale adjusts the Size of the subject.
Slide zooms the subject closer and farther away from you on the Z axis. Drag lets you position the subject around the 3D space. Roll spins the subject around the Z axis. Rotate allows you to rotate the subject around in all directions in 3 dimensional space. With the Logo layer selected, there are a variety of 3D Tools that you can now use: Rotate, Roll, Drag, Slide, and Scale. Go to ‘View – Show’ and make sure 3D Ground Plane, 3D Lights, 3D Selection, and UV Overlay are all selected. Now in 3D View, you should see Grid lines around your subject. Select “3D Extrusion” in the bullet list below that, and then hit “Create.” Working in 3D In the 3D tab of the workspace, choose “Selected Layer(s)” as your source.
It’s important that your subject is on a Transparent Background, as this technique will Extrude the entire layer. Then, go to ‘Window – 3D’ to open the 3D workspace. Start by dragging your Logo (or the subject you want to make 3D) onto your image. Make your images jump off the screen by adding three dimensional properties to a 2D image! Prepare Your Images