Quick 3D text effect in Photoshop

Published on December 27, 2022

Create 3D text in Photoshop

In this blog I’ll show you a super fast and simple method to create a 3D text effect in Adobe Photoshop.

Rather watch the video with instructions? Click here or scroll down to the end of this page!

Step 1: Create file and text

First create a new file. The size of your file will affect the way this effect looks. I’ll show you an example below. As you can see, if I make the file 3 times larger, this will change the way the 3D effect looks. The lines in the larger file are sharper and the shadows look a bit different. It’s up to you to decide what effect you like more.

I used a file size of 1600×900 pixels for this explanation. Also pick a background color while creating the new file.

Then select the horizontal type tool. Pick a font and text color. This effect looks best with a lighter text color. Then type your text. When you’re done, click on the ✓ icon.

Then press CTRL+T to activate free transform. You can now resize the text and pick the correct position.

Step 2: 3D text effect

Select the text layer. Click on the fx icon and select ‘drop shadow‘.

You can find the settings I used in the image below. Copy these settings and click OK.

With the text layer selected, press CTRL+T. Then press the arrow up (↑) key once and press enter. You won’t see a difference, but you moved the text up a little bit by doing this.

Then press CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+T multiple times. This will repeat the last transformation (moving the text up) in a new layer. You will see a new layer copy appear every time you press CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+T. You will also see the 3D effect appear when you do this!

Keep pressing CTRL+ALT+SHIFT+T until you’re happy with the 3D effect!