in Photoshop & without the fancy 3D programs. :-)

1. Open up a new blank file. Any size will do and large enough for the added 3d effect. (Don't want it off the page do we? *g*)

2. Select the text (or type tool) and type what ever message you want. The colour of the text doesn't matter, nor does the font. Probably best to use the colour you want the top layer to be.

3. Simplify the layer. At this point you can distort the text so it looks as though it has a vanishing point or leave it as it is.

4. Duplicate the above layer and hide the other layer. The hidden layer will become the final top layer.

5. Make sure the other layer is selected and flood fill (paint bucket tool) the letters with black or whatever colour you want the shadow to be.

6. Press and hold "ctrl" "alt" and what ever arrow key you want the 3d effect to go: "down" "up" "left" "right". This will create several layers in quick succession so watch how many layers you do. Merge all the layers together so you just have the 3D effect in one and the original text layer in another.

7. Drag the hidden layer back up to the top and make it visible and that should be it. Instant 3D lettering.

Experiment with different fonts, colours, etc... The overall effect can be quite eye-catching. On the ones that I did below, I alternated between the "down" and "right" arrow keys. This gives a 45 deg shadow rather than just a left or right shadow. If a longer shadow is wanted you could try "down" "right" "right" "down" "right" "right", etc as an alternative. Just make sure that you continue the same pattern otherwise you won't get a smooth shadow.

Here are some that I prepared earlier: