Interested in learning how to cut out a shape in Illustrator? Find out how to do this while creating a slashed 3D text effect that is colorful and fun. You will have it ready in minutes.
If you don’t have the time to learn how to make 3D text in Illustrator, you can always try Envato Elements, where you will find a large selection of fonts and graphics that are ready to be used for text effects.
What You’ll Learn in This Tutorial
- How to create sliced text in Illustrator
- How to make 3D text in Illustrator
- How to create a shadow for 3D text
Tutorial Assets
You’ll need the following resources in order to complete this project:
1. How to Make a New Document in Adobe Illustrator
Launch Illustrator and go to File > New to open the New Document window. There, type the name of the document and set the dimensions as shown. Keep the Units set to Pixels and the Color Mode to RGB. Once you’re done, hit Create Document.
In the image below, you can see the other settings that I like to use while working in Illustrator. You can access them by going to Edit > Preferences.
2. How to Slice Text in Illustrator
Step 1
Grab the Type Tool (T) and write “SLASH” on your artboard using the Submica Regular Font, with a size of 200 pt. In the Character panel, under Set the tracking for the selected characters, choose 50 in order to add more space between the letters. Click on Horizontal Align Center and Vertical Align Center while Align to Artboard is active in the Align panel to position the text in the center of your workspace.
Step 2
Now, use the Pen Tool (P) or the Line Segment Tool () to draw a straight path over the entire text where you want to slice it. Give it a 3 pt Stroke using any color.
Step 3
Let’s see how to cut out a shape in Illustrator. First, make a compound path out of all the letters by going to Object > Compound Path > Make (Control-8). Next, select the line and go to Object > Expand to turn it from a stroke into a filled shape. Keep both paths selected and click on Minus Front in the Pathfinder panel.
3. How to Make 3D Text in Illustrator
Step 1
Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select only the sliced pieces at the bottom, and move them a little downwards and to the left.
To make 3D text, Illustrator has a few 3D effects that offer great results. Make sure that the sliced text is grouped, and then go to Effect > 3D and Materials > 3D (Classic) > Extrude & Bevel (Classic). Apply the settings shown and hit OK. Feel free to choose other coordinates and experiment with the angle of your 3D cut-out text.
Step 2
Expand the 3D effect by going to Object > Expand Appearance. Focus on the letter S and notice that the curved parts of the letter are made of several smaller shapes. Find and select each of those parts in the Layers panel and click on Unite in the Pathfinder panel to merge the smaller shapes into one.
Repeat the same thing for the other letter S. This only happens with the letters that have curved areas.
Step 3
It’s time to color the 3D cut-out text. Use the Direct Selection Tool (A) to select only the top surface of the letters and color them with bright blue. Next, select and color all the shapes on the left side and in the front with dark blue, and color the inner shapes in the sliced area with bright pink. Make it your own by choosing any other color combination.
Step 4
Select the entire text and also apply a 1.5 pt Stroke using black. Activate Round Join in the Stroke panel.
4. How to Create a Shadow for 3D Text
Let’s finish the text effect by adding a shadow. Select the entire 3D text (without the highlights) and then Copy and Paste in Place (Shift-Control-V). Go to Object > Expand, and then click on Unite in the Pathfinder panel followed by Object > Compound Path > Make (Control-8). You will get the black compound path shown below (1).
Move this shape behind everything by going to Object > Arrange > Send to Back (Shift-Control-[). Go to Effect > Distort & Transform > Transform, apply a -2 px Horizontal Move, and choose 8 Copies. Hit OK (2). Next, go to Effect > Blur > Gaussian Blur and apply a Radius of 2 px. Finally, set the Blending Mode to Multiply and reduce the Opacity to 10% (3).
Congratulations! You’re Done
Now you know how to slice text in Illustrator. Explore all the 3D settings, and choose a different angle and another color palette that you like. Create a unique 3D cut-out text effect that’s perfect for your project.
Make sure to check out Envato Elements, where you’ll find plenty of fonts, text effects, and graphics that you can download and use.
Popular Text Effects From Envato Elements
Envato Elements is an excellent resource for fonts and graphics that you can use for 3D text effects. These awesome text effects are also available on Envato Elements, and they are ready to use. You can download as many as you wish with a subscription. Let’s take a look!
Night 3D Text Effect (AI, EPS)
This text effect has the 3D appearance and the slashed look, so it’s the perfect option for you to use in your next project. Edit the text as you wish, and it will definitely bring energy to your posters, flyers, headlines, banners, and so much more. Give it a try!
Type Isometric Vibrant 3D Text Effect (PSD)
If you want to make an impact and turn people’s heads, then this isometric and brightly colored text effect will definitely achieve that. You can change the text and the color scheme to suit your needs. Grab it and take your designs to the next level!
Want to Learn More?
We have loads of tutorials on Envato Tuts+ that teach many other useful techniques. Here is a list of tutorials specially made for you. Take a look!