I wrote this article as a short journey in this universe to understand how to develop digital work in 3d typography….

Lately, many people ask me which programs create 3D esque designs.
I usually explain that I use some of the many tools for “3D typo”.
My advice is always to start doing a sketch on paper, in order to have a clear
concept of work that will later be developed in 3D.
(Of course if a person wants to use the pen tablet it”s just as sufficient).

These are some of the most widely used programs to make 3D typography” including:
Autodesk 3d Studio Max 8/9/10
Maxon Cinema 4D
Xara 3d
Adobe Illustrator cs3/cs4/cs5
Adobe Photoshop cs3/cs4/cs5 (extended version)

Post Processing: (also for Animations)
Adobe Photoshop cs3/cs4/cs5 (extended version)
Adobe Combustion
Adobe After effect

I personally use all of them however I prefer 3ds Max with Vray rendering engine….
Each designer has his own technique regardless…
If you don”t work directly with Photoshop follow these steps:
- Sketch
- Rendering (save in .Png only the Typo and the mask)
- Export in Illustrator or Photoshop (painting, colors, lights, concept, etc..)

Let me give you two  very useful tips to make work more interesting, create your own personal font with Illustrator (or other programs) and if you use 3d programs for extrusions, the rendering engines are very important (lights and HD resolution).

3d Typo Artist:
Nik Ainley – http://www.shinybinary.com
Alex Beltechi – http://www.behance.net/alexbeltechi
Hugo Santos – http://www.behance.net/hugomsantos
Mike Campau – http://www.behance.net/mikris/frame
Oak Thitayarak – http://www.behance.net/Oak_Roots

Free fonts resources:
dafont – http://www.dafont.com/
1001 – http://www.1001freefonts.com/
search fonts – http://www.searchfreefonts.com/

Book:

New Typographic Design by Roger Fawcett-Tang

AND NOW ENJOY THESE: