There's many different way to make 3D text in GIMP. Today I'm going to show you how to make this zooming 3D text and will get into layer modes, color correction and lighting as well.

This tutorial is made from my project file made 2 days ago. Therefore I can not
specifiy exact values unless I remake it, and I simply don't want to spend the time to do that. I think it's good to understand
the basics of how something like this is designed so you can be more creative with the values yourself and design it the way
you want without the exact values being a factor. (In addition this tutorial is not made for beginners but for intermediate
designers.)

Lets Begin!

The background is not a big deal. All I did was start out with a black background,
added some Filters/Noice/HSV Noise, Filters/Distorts/Emboss, Colors/Invert.


Then I added a new layer (name it "stone color") and filled it with the color
#83817d. I then set it's layer mode to Addition with 71% opacity.

Then merge them together (In my case I put them into a layer group called "BG")


Before we go any future will need the following fonts.
Bebas Neue - http://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/bebas-neue
Pacifico - http://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/pacifico

Now add the text anyway you want. You will need two layers of that same text. Name
one "txt" and the other "3d grow". "txt" should be white, and "3d grow" should be black. Then apply a Motion Blur
to "3d grow" and uncheck blur outward as we want the text to look like it's growing out. (At this point I'd suggest adding "3d
grow in a layer group")


Then duplicate "3d grow" a bunch of times until your satisfied with the 3d look
and merge the layer group. Then color "3d grow" and style your text however way you wish. (I will not tell you exactly how I did
mine. I want the conscious mind to manifest a beautiful creation. I will say is I used gradients, gaussian blur, layer modes,
opacity and bevel for mine. So tinker with it, play with it and enjoy yourself. Don't get frustrated.)


Next make a new visible layer, duplicate it and go to Filters/Light and
Shadow/Lighting Effects


Duplicate again and add a Softglow (Filters/Artistic/Softglow)
Duplicate the Softglow and set it's layer mode to Multiply.

I liked the soft glow and shadow effects it produced but I wasn't pleased with how
the text turned out.


I then made a minor modification to the top and bottom text's color (layer modes
are overlay, overlay, multiply)


I made a new visible layer, and applied the Lighting Effects filter to it again. I
moved the layer below my modified text and Whala.

Thanks for taking the time to make this tutorial. I'm looking forward to playing around with it.

I'll give this tutorial a shot even though I'm a beginner. I've followed intermediate Photoshop tutorials using Gimp and got through so I know I can do this tutorial with ease.