Step 1: Prepare your text. Use a background color that won't be used in the text or in the texture, and give the text a solid tone of anything, like this blue.

Step 2: Create a new window about the same size or slightly larger and paste your chosen texture here. The texture should be proportional to the size of your text or the desired effect. A too-large image of leaves, for instance, would only seem like shades of green on 48 or 60 pt. text, so if you want the leaves to look like leaves, the image would need to be made smaller to be more proportionate to the text.

Step 3: Letting the text color go transparent, copy the text and paste it over the texture.

Step 4: Remove the background, add shadows if desired and you're finished! Pretty simple, but the technique can create some interesting results. Here are some samples:

Are You Daring? If you feel brave and adventuresome, try using the Sculpted technique (highlight, shadow, anti-alias) along with Texture. You might be surprised at what outstanding text appearances you can create on your own!

Texture Trove Here are a few general texture images to help you start your texture collection. Resize them larger or smaller as you need. There are a lot more available all around the web, usually offered as page backgrounds or aids for 3D modeling. Just remember to check with the owner's statement before grabbing any appealing image; not all are offered as freeware like these are. Click the image name to see the image. These are all sized-down to be more useful when creating text and are free for you to modify and use as you like. Bricks Mousepad Scales Fire Rocky Wood Goldleaf Roses Woven Ivy Rumpus