Photoshop Tutorial: 3D Text Logo

Here we go!

1. Open a new document (CTRL+N) and set the dimensions to as big as 1,000x800 pixels with a transparent background. The bigger the background the easier you will find it to give the perfect shape to your logo and later resize it and lose no quality ;o). (see image)

2. Now, it is time to put the text/name for your logo and name the layer LogoText. Choose a thick-lettered font and a vivid but a kind of dark colour for the main colour of your logo. The font I chose is Ballpark (font size: 200, colour: #12AACA) as it is combines thick letters and an elegant calligraphic style-you will find it at DaFont.com and it is TOTALLY FREE!!! Note: Do not cover 100% of your background!!! Try to leave around 100-150 pixels space for each side. You will need this space latter, for producing the 3D effect.

3. This where the fun begins! Right-Click on the LogoText layer and choose Blending Options to set the layer style. Then choose stroke and set the size to 5 pixels, position: outside, blend mode: normal, opacity: 100%, fill type: color, #FFFFFF. (see image)

4. At this point we need to rasterize the LogoText layer and make it a flat layer. There two ways to do that, so choose what is best for you:
a) the long way - you may right-click on the LogoText layer and choose rasterize layer. This will make the text layer lose its text properties and become just a shape. However, the layer style (stroke) is still there. For this reason you need to create a new layer and link it with the LogoText layer. Then click on the layers menu and choose merge linked or press CTRL+E. (see image)
b) the short way - create a new layer, link it to the LogoText layer and then press CTRL+E or click on the layers menu and choose merge linked. Name the new layer LogoText-Rasterized.

5. CTRL+click on the LogoText-Rasterized to get its selection. Then create a new layer and name it Shadow. In the Shadow layer now select the paint bucket tool and set your colour to a vivid tone, much lighter than your text. I chose in this case #9CE1F0. Fill your selection with the vivid colour and deselect (CTRL+D).