Master of Paris

Learn how to create, position, colour and light your 3D letters

01 Spell it out

Open Paris_before.psd. We’ve cut out the Eiffel Tower and added a gradient behind. If you want 3D objects to sit behind elements in your own images, cut the images out beforehand. Grab the Type tool from the Tools Panel, choose a thick font (Avenir Heavy here) and type your word.

02 Stretch it

Go to 3D>New 3D Extrusion from selected Layer, and hit Yes when asked if you want to switch to the 3D workspace. Grab the Move tool and click on the word. Use the axis widget to rotate the word along the Y axis – each part of the widget moves, stretches or rotates it along the X, Y or Z axis.

03 Add depth

With ‘Paris’ highlighted in the 3D panel, go to the Properties panel, ensure the top-left icon (Mesh) is chosen, then adjust Extrusion depth to change the depth of the shape. Next, click on the ‘Cap’ icon in the Properties panel and set Bevel Width to 10% to add a chiselled edge to the letters.

To match the perspective of the word with the image, set a focal length similar to the wideangle lens used to take the shot. Click Current View in the 3D panel, then set FOV to 20mm lens. Use the Move tool and axis widget to rotate and position the word along the edge of the tower. Below the Paris object name in the 3D panel sit the materials that make up each of its surfaces. Click on Front Inflation Material. In the Properties panel, click on the Material dropdown. Pick Metal Steel. Click on Diffuse; sample a colour from the tower. Repeat for the Paris Extrusion Material. Click on Infinite Light 1. Drag the handle to change the light’s direction. Click on the light icon at the bottom, pick New Infinite Light, light the letters from behind, click on Colour in the Properties panel and use a warm tone. Drag the 3D layer below the cutout layer. Click on the Render icon.