Add 3D Text to a Real Photo in Photoshop (Advanced)
Learn how to turn a text layer into true 3D, light it with multiple Infinite Lights, and apply materials for realism. You’ll match the camera perspective to your scene using Vanishing Point, then scale, ground, and render the 3D text. Finish by rasterizing and applying a Levels adjustment clipped to the text for a perfect composite.
Step-by-step instructions
Convert your text into a 3D extrusion
Create your text layer, then right‑click the text layer → New 3D Extrusion from Selected Layer.
Open the 3D panel (Window → 3D) to manage scene elements.
Set environment reflections
In the 3D panel, select Environment.
In Properties under Reflections: set Opacity to 35% and Roughness to 20% to soften reflections.
Light the scene with Infinite Lights
In the 3D panel, select Infinite Light and position it to match your scene; set Intensity ≈ 80% and Shadow Softness ≈ 60%.
Add a second light: in the 3D panel, click the Add Light button → New Infinite Light, position it, and set Intensity ≈ 45%.
Apply materials to the text
In the 3D panel, select the first material, then Shift‑click the last to select all text materials.
In Properties → Materials presets menu, choose a suitable texture (e.g., a wood material).
Match camera perspective with Vanishing Point
In the 3D panel, select Current View.
Go to Filter → Vanishing Point.
Choose Create Plane and click four points to follow a known perspective (e.g., floor tiles); adjust handles until it aligns.
Click OK, then in View properties, choose Vanishing Point Grid to align the 3D view.
Scale, position, and ground the text
Select the 3D text and use the center white box (Scale Uniformly) to resize; position the text in the scene.
In Properties → Coordinates, click Move to Ground to place it on the floor.
Rotate around the Y axis as needed; press Ctrl/Cmd+H to hide guides while judging alignment.
Adjust extrusion depth and render
Select the text mesh and in Properties adjust Extrusion Depth to taste.
Go to 3D → Render and let the render complete.
Rasterize and color‑correct the result
In the Layers panel, right‑click the 3D layer → Rasterize 3D.
Layer → New Adjustment Layer → Levels…, then Alt/Option‑click between Levels and the text layer to clip; adjust to match the photo.
