 |  | make 3D text |  | | By Jack Lyon | | (10/8/02) |
Excuse the horrifically unimaginative pun, but using 2D graphics for that top priority presentation or project can fall a little flat. Invest a few seconds with Xara3D and your text-based graphics and headers will be taken into the next dimension. This isn't the stuff Pixar masterminds use to fluff up monster hair or add sheen to talking potatoes--this is 3D for the rest of us. With Xara3D, a couple of well-placed clicks will crank out professional-looking graphics with plenty of eye-popping flair.
Make your message
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CyD GIF Studio Pro |
Create animated GIFs, 3D text, optimized images, and other graphics suitable for the Web.
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FontTwister |
Create impressive 3D text effects.
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Ulead Cool 3D |
Make your titles the center of attention.
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First off, fire up the text tool (the big T found at the top of the screen) and type out words you want transformed into 3D. Within the text tool youll find plenty of options, including leading, kerning, font size and style, and alignment. The software will use any font found on your system, but do your best to resist going for overly stylistic fonts. The more complex the font, the less readable the text will be once 3D elements are added.
Add living color
Now comes the fun of adding all the 3D color and sparkle. Right next to the text tool youll find the color palette tool. This handles all the color, light, and shadow of your text. Select "Front, back, and sides" from the pull-down menu found in the palette toolbox, and select a color. If you just want to wing it, click on any color from the included color swatches. If you have an exact hue in mind, it can be easily inputted by using either an RGB or hex code. Youll see that color immediately applied to all of the text. Continue through the pull-down menu to pick the color of each 3D element, including various light sources, backgrounds, and shadows.
For a little extra 3D zing, you can also apply a texture map to your text. Click on the texture box found in the upper right-hand corner of the palette toolbox. Youll find dozens of texture maps that come with the program, or you can create your own. The software can import texture maps from several common graphic formats including GIF and JPEG.
Choose your dimensions
Once your color scheme and texture mapping is set, you can tweak the 3D elements. Click on the Extrusion tool (the button with the E found at the top of the screen). This controls the depth and sheen of the text. Next up is the bezel tool (the button marked B) which controls the edges of the text. For instance, if you want a balloon-type 3D effect, you might want to try the rolled bezel. For something with sharper edges, try the square bezel.
There are still plenty of other tools in Xara3D that let you tweak to your hearts content. Theres a 3D button tool, a shadowing tool, and even an animation tool that offers simple looping movements for your text. Be sure to take some time and really experiment with all the tools and options. Though some have arcane names, theyre all easy to figure out and play around with.
Prepare for kudos
Once youve created your 3D masterpiece, share it with the rest of the world. The 3D text can be exported into several different formats. For static graphics, you can export your file as a GIF, a JPEG, a PNG, or a regular bitmap. If youve built a nifty 3D animation, the file can be saved as an animated GIF or an AVI file. With each exportable format comes plenty of control over quality and file size, ensuring that youre getting the perfect 3D treatment for your specific project need.
Jack Lyon, former director of CNET Hardware, splits his time contributing to CNET and building brand-savvy online games as cofounder of AstroManic Studios.
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