How to create a Step Text effect in Illustrator? [Step-by-step guide]

The step text effect also known as the stair text effect, is one of the most common types that video creators use to give an appealing look to their content. As the name suggests, the content is broken down into such a way that it is showcased as stairs. 

Many people use this effect as it's easy to draw and can be added to Illustrators in a few steps. Adding formatted text in the videos not only makes the video more appealing but also is highly in demand. 

People enjoy the visual experience more than normally formatted text. Well! If you are reading this blog, you might be looking for a quick and easy approach to create a 3D text effect in Illustrator.

Hopefully, this step-by-step guide will help you create step text effects in adobe illustrator without any hassle.

Here, you will get an idea how to create step text effects in simple techniques using the illustrator 3D rotator option. Indeed, you can also make this effect in photoshop, but it is a little complicated. 

Now, without any further ado, let's begin with the process!

How to create a Stair Text effect in Illustrator?

Step-1 Navigate to your Illustrator software and type Select it from the bar, or press T.

Type the word on which you want to add the effect. And scale the size. To make you more clear, I have typed the word STEP UP. 

If you are new to Illustrator tool, then you can read this- how to use adobe Illustrator.

Step-2 Navigate to object and click on expand button. Once you expand the word or alphabet, it's time to fill the Object and proceed further. 

Step-3 Now, select the rectangle tool or press M. Draw the rectangle on the top of the type or word.

Once it is done, it's time to extend the edges. You need to be very particular while aligning the top and edges of the image. After you are done with the alignment, don't forget to select everything. 

Step-4 Now, click on the Object > Path > Split Into Grid.

Now you have to give five different surfaces, which means you are splitting the text into 5 parts. You can choose the rows where you want to apply this effect. 

Step-5 Go to the pathfinder tool and click on the divide. After taking this step, you will see that everything is divided into different parts. Now, you have to ungroup and deselect the words with shift press click, click, and so on. 

Now, I am deselecting the surface, which includes the text/word, and will delete all the rest of the area which is not in use. This will allow you to delete unnecessary surfaces easily.

Step-6 Once all the word shapes are deselected, it's time to click on the delete button. You will be left with the one that you actually require. Just as shown below.

Step-7 Now, it's time to do some grouping. For this, you have to select all the top pieces and combine them all.  

Just click on unite. You will see that the selected item will act as a single object. Now, you have to follow the same approach for other objects to make them as a single object. 

Step-8 After grouping the objects, you have to apply the 3D rotate option. 

Thinking how? 

Well! Click on Effect> 3D rotate. 

Step-9 You will be redirected to the page where you will find various options, but make sure you do not make any updates with that. You just have to choose the isometric top option under rotate. 

Step-10 After selecting the option, click OK.

Step-11- Go to an object and expand your appearance. Now you have to follow the same procedure for other objects, but make sure you pick different colors for that. One thing to be considered is that you have to put the extrude depth to 0 pt.

For your understanding, I have selected light grey color to show the difference. 

Step-12 Now go back to effect 3D rotation, and you have to follow the same steps that were done previously. Now, I am going to give the left-facing spacing. Just choose isometric left and click OK. 

You will see another page where you will see a difference in your textual image.

Step-13 It's time to make the adjustments. You can use the arrow to move further. Once the adjustments are made, you will see that the final product is very close to each. 

The Final Say 

Hopefully, the above steps will help you in adding a step text effect in Illustrator without putting in much effort. 

Now that you have a step-by-step guide for making a stair text effect in Illustrator, it's time to practice animating characters and share it with others. 

So, what are you looking for? Go Ahead and start adding an AWW effect to your video. If you need any kind of help in creating animated videos, feel free to contact us. 

                                                                                                                                 Editor- Divya Verma