3D Effect using Channels Photoshop Tutorial

Step 1

Create text on new layer 1. and rasterize – PC right click on name in layers pallette/Mac-Cmd Click >rasterize

Step 2

 Make new layer 2. and using rectangular marquee tool make a box around the text.
Deselect – Cmd/Ctrl +D

Step 3

 Fill the new box with white.
While layer 2 still active, Ctrl/Cmd click on layer 1 thumbnail.

Step 4

  press del, should look like this

Step 5

 hide layer 1 and Ctrl/Cmd click on layer 2.This is the image we are going to make 3d.
You could start at this point with any image as long as it is on a layer and filled with white.

Step 6

Click on the new channel button in the Channels Pallete. Alpha 1 will apper. fill your selection with white, it should resemble the image shown.

Step 7

 Deselct and go to Filters>Blur>Gaussian blur. The higher you make the blur the more your image will be bevelled.

Click on the rgb channel at the to of the pallette.

Step 8

  Go back to the layers pallete and select your image layer

Step 9

Here is where the magic happens. Filter>Render>Lighting effects.

Use the settings here or play around with your own.

Click on texture channel and load Alpha 1. I deselected the white it high for this example.

Click on the color picker to give your light some color. We used purple.

Step 10

  Click ok and say “wow.” The finished result. I put a drop shadow and a blue gradient in the background for coolness sake.

For more cool techniques like this on an easy to follow video format check out Photoshop Secrets Special FX

Get in-the-know!

Photoshop VAULT

Access valuable Photoshop extras and goodies for free and much more a

Follow along for more tips

Recommended for this tutorial

Photoshop Compositing: Sky City Project. Photoshop 2026

Build a complete composite from start to finish and learn the techniques behind it.

$39.99 · one-time purchase · instant download

View the course See all courses

Free for you

The Photoshop Vault

Get my free Layer Blending Modes ebook along with dozens of exclusive Photoshop goodies: actions, brushes, presets and cheat sheets.

You're on the list, so your free goodies are waiting for you in the Vault.

Get Free Photoshop Goodies Open the Vault

Wrapping objects with Displacement Maps Photoshop Tutorial

Displacement maps see like such strange and difficult animals until you learn to tame them. In this long overdue tutorial, I will... Read tutorial →

Reflective Liquid type Photoshop Tutorial

Tutorials on creating metal type abound online, as do variations on simple liquid effects. Most are fairly short, offering a good foundation... Read tutorial →

Wire frame Text effect in Photoshop Tutorial

In this Photoshop tutorial, learn how to create text that looks like it's made out of metal wire. The text remains fully... Read tutorial →

Realistic Rock in Photoshop Tutorial

How to create rock textures in Photoshop. It's surprising how you can create stunning photorealistic rock and stone texture so easily. Read tutorial →

ANIME BEADS Photoshop Tutorial

I received a request from the forum for this effect from one of our Members living in Japan. This is a technique... Read tutorial →

How to wrap text around a photo in Photoshop tutorial

In this Photoshop tutorial, I'm going to show you how to wrap text around a photo using displacement maps and image warp.... Read tutorial →