Here are three ways for 3D Text in ae:
1) Invigorator. Here's a link from the "COMMON AFTER EFFECTS QUESTIONS -- PLEASE LOOK HERE FIRST" (above):
http://forums.creativecow.net/cgi-bin/new_read_post.cgi?forumid=2&postid=88...
2) Quick and Dirty. Not that dirty really. For a quickie that looks fine unless you linger side on, just add this expression to a text layer (make it 3D):
position+[0,0,(index-1)*1]
Now duplicate the layer as many times as you want it to be thick (the expression tells the layer to be offset 1 pixel in the z direction for each layer it's down in the layer stack). If you want to move the letters as a unit, parent all to the first text layer, then rotate/move it.
You can change the color of the front by changing the Color of the text in the Character Palette ( and the back too) You can even bevel the front and back with Perspective>Bevel Alpha (quite nice, really)
Note: You may get a warning for certain plugins to use AE's Advance 3D Rendering, so go Composition>Comp Settings>Advanced>Render Plug-in: Advanced 3D.
3) Also you can use Shatter:
Make your text, duplicate it, add a Black Solid, arrange as below:
Text
Text
Black Solid
Now Select and precompose the bottom two layers (move all attributes), this precomp will be as a custom Shattermap.
Add Effect>Simulate
View: Rendered
Render: Pieces
Shape>Pattern: Custom
Custom Shatter Map: Precomp
Extrusion Map: This controls how deep the letters are
Force 1>
Strength: 0 (this keeps the letters from being blown away)
Physics>Gravity: 0 (keeps the letters from succumbing to gravity)
Textures... You can control the Front, Side and Back Modes with precomped layer (a red solid precomped choose, Side Mode:Layer, Side Layer Red Solid Precomp.
Camera System: Comp Camera
Add a Camera to the Comp, Layer>New Camera (C toggles the Camera Orbit Tool).
For a more detailed walk through, click on Roland R. Kahlenberg
