Texturize 3D text with Photoshop CC

In this Tutorial I show how to wrap a texture around 3D text using Photoshop 3d. I used Photoshop CC for this tutorial. This technique works best with seamless textures and blocky text.

This method is far from perfect and will not be as good as using a 3d modeling program to generate a texture wrap, but you might get acceptable results depending on your needs.

I've tested this with different fonts different font sizes and various textures including Wood, Rock, Buildings and others. This process also works with simple shapes such as those in your custom shapes presets. Some textures don't work well with this method, especially those with lines or words that wrap around the edges, for example; plaid.

For this tutorial's example, I texturize text to look like frozen ice. I will show you how to use the Photoshop Measurement Log to get measurements such as the total perimeter around the outlines of multiple objects such as the letters in a word and the holes between letters.

After creating and measuring our 3D text, we apply the tiles checkerboard material to the letters. Then we edit the U/V properties of the various materials.

I have developed some formulas to help you find good starting points when you Edit the U/V properties of the Front Inflation Materials and the Extrusion Materials and have included a formula chart in the video.

It sounds a little complicated, but after practicing this method, it takes me only 10 to 15 minutes to texture a word. You can ignore the formulas and do everything manually with sliders, but the formulas really make it easy.

I anticipate a lot of questions about this method. So I will post the Formula Chart, a Tip Sheet and some FAQs on my website soon. When it's available I'll post a link.

This video was made for instructional and educational purposes. In it I teach people how to use Adobe Photoshop to make interesting designs. No copyrighted materials were used in this video.

Link to my webpage where you can find a UV Settings Chart, FAQs, and Tip Sheet:
http://www.cool-tuts.com/texturize-3d...

Image Attribution:
Ice Cold Pattern by Patrick Hoesly
https://www.flickr.com/photos/zooboin...

High Quality Tileable Light Wood Texture 1, by webtreats
https://www.flickr.com/photos/webtrea...

muro grunge, by Lica Biada
https://www.flickr.com/photos/pedrosc...

Webtreats Seamless Tone, Pavement, and Marble Texture 5
by webtreats
https://www.flickr.com/photos/webtrea...


**Transcript Excerpt**


To begin, Open a new canvas 1280 pixels x 720 pixels,
at 300 pixels per inch
press D for default foreground and background colors

To fill the background with 50% gray so that most objects will show up best regardless of color.
Choose Edit - Fill Then in the Contents drop down choose 50% Gray.

Open the type tool.
I used Hobo Standard Medium at 72 points
Place the cursor on the canvas then type in your text.
I used the word "ICED"
press the big checkmark to accept.
Press Control or Command Zero to fit the canvas to the screen.

To center the text, press control or command plus A to select everything
Now press V to choose the move tool
Click the align vertical centers icon
then click the align horizontal centers icon.
Press control or command plus D to deselect.

Control-Click the ICED text layer
From the 3d menu choose New Extrusion from current selection.
Answer Yes if asked to Switch to 3d workspace
The ICE 3d Object should be selected in the 3D panel.
There should be a properties panel open, if not you can double click the star icon next to the Ice object or choose Window - Properties
Drag the properties panel and the 3D panel to a convenient location.
Shorten the panels to save space.

Select Current View ,which is probably set to default.
Then select the Orbit tool and tilt the letters so you can see their front and the top.
Select the ICED object.
In the Properties panel, change Texture Mapping to "Tile"
Use the Extrusion Depth slider to adjust the extrusion depth to your liking.
I used 88.37 pixels for this project.

Next we will make some adjustments to demonstrate inflating the fronts of the letters, and adding a bevel
Click the Cap option icon in the properties panel
To inflate the front of the letters,
Drag the Strength slider to the right. I used 11%
To add a bevel,
Drag the bevel width slider to the right, I used 12%

Next we will access Photoshop's Measurement tools to find the total perimeter around the edges of the letters.
Select Current view and change the view to Front.
First press Control or Command Click the ICE layer icon to select it.
Choose Image - Analysis - Select Data Points then choose custom

now choose deselect all
now choose perimeter, height, and width
next choose save preset
name the preset,
I named mine, perimeter
choose OK to accept the new preset
Go back to Images - Analysis.
the data points will now default to "Perimeter".....