3D Text With Shadow

Today I made 3D Text With Shadow in After Effects. Here are the steps I toke:

First, I just wrote a simple 'Hello' on the screen using the text tool.

In the settings, I clicked on the little 3D Box to enable 3D.

To make it 'Real 3D', go onto 'Competition' then 'Competition Settings...'. In here, you go to the 'Advanced' section and change the render to 'Ray-traced 3D', then click 'OK'.

When you have done this you will get this new section in your options called 'Geometry Options'.

Next, go to 'Layer', 'New' and 'Camera'. You will be given this screen. Just hit 'OK'.

This is the 'Camera' layer.

Using the 'Orbit Camera Tool', you can now move your object in 3D.

Now go to 'Layer', 'New' and 'Light' and you will see this screen pop up. Hit 'OK'.

Using the 'Light Tool', you can move the 'X', 'Y' and 'Z' axles to change the position and how shadowed over your text is.