Note: Please click on the images for higher resolution and bigger view.

Final Image:

3D Program

Step#1

First I have created my 3D text using a 3D program just for time saving.

Photoshop

Step#2

I have exported the 3D file into Photoshop, so it was one image, the text and the background wasn’t separated and that isn’t good. I have used the magic wand to put each object in a separate layer

Step#3

Then I have selected only the faces of each letter from the text using the magic wand which was easier for me.

Tip: If the magic wand didn’t work then try and use the pen tool or any other tool that your prefer to select.

Step#4

Now go to Select>Modify>Contract… and contract it by 5 pixels.

Step#5

Add new layer and and fill it with black, in the select we have made above and put the opacity to 50%.

Hot keys: “D” to rest colour to default black for foreground and white to background  -  ”Alt + Backspace” to fill the select/layer with your foreground colour.

Step#6

Now we need to select the 5 Pixel stock we contracted, in order to do that we need to make a selection of the faces again as we did before in step3#, and then subtract from that selection the layer on step5# (The -5 pixel faces)

Hot key: after selecting the faces as in step3# hold “ctrl + Alt” and click on the layer as in step5#.

Step#7

Add new layer and fill your select with any colour,  then create your background as your prefer.

Step#8

Apply the following Layer style settings and the step7# layer.

Step#9

Add new layer above the original separated 3D text layer (step2#) now click that blank layer to the 3D text layer (step#2)

now start painting/fill the clipped layer, I have used #ffba00 as my foreground color.

Step#10

Use the Burn, Dodge, Blur tools to give it dimension.

Tip: you can blur your layer with 4pixel or less to have a smooth result

Hot keys: use “["  to make your brush size smaller and "]” to make your brush size bigger, use “Shift + [" to make your brush softer and "Shift + ]” to make your brush harder.

Step#11

Select step5# layer and do the same as we did in step11#

Hot key: use “Ctrl + Select layer” to make select around the layer objects.

That is all for Part #1, please visit us back soon for part #2.