How to make a special 3D effect in a font

Question

Hello,
I am trying to put a special 3D effect on a font. I don't know how describe it, thus here is a link where you can see it:
http://www.die-bestien-live.de/
I already know that the font is Agency FB. I don't care about the camouflage look or about the shadow. I'm just interested in the 3D effect. Can somebody tell me, how can I get this effect with Illustrator CS5?
Thank you!
Simon

Answer 1

Simon,
As I (mis)understand it, you may:
1) Type>Create Outlines and Object> Ungroup;
2) Select all letters and Object>Path>Offset Path by a negative amount so you get the right width of the bevels between the inner and outer lettershapes;
3) Select the inner lettershapes, copy them, and hide the copies;
4) Select everything, change from fill to stroke, and Object>Compound Path>Release;
5) To rip the shapes apart, perform (the bare steps in the script/action James has made, see below):
5a) Select>Object>Direction Handles;
5b) Edit>Cut;
5c) Delete;
5d) Edit>Paste In Front;
6) To create the bevels, combine pairs of corresponding inner and outer paths (which formed segments of the inner and outer lettershapes):
6a) Select inner and outer path;
6b) Object>Path>Join;
6c) Select all and change from stroke to fill;
7) Show the copies of the inner lettershape paths hidden in 3).
Now you have all the parts as separate closed paths, and you can colour them as desired.
There may be less silly ways.
A full instruction and explanation of what is going on in 5) is in this post by James, in the first numbered instruction:
http://forums.adobe.com/message/4155922#4155922