Move and rotate 3D text

3D text has multiple facets—front, extruded sides, edges (bevels), and back. When you add 3D text to your project, you’ll see the front facet, but depending on the angle of the text, you may not be able to see the other facets.

Canvas showing example of 3D text in a 2D project

You can view these other facets by moving or rotating the 3D text object.

Canvas showing example of rotated 3D text in a 3D project

Move or rotate 3D text using onscreen handles

In the Layers list, Timeline, or Canvas, select a 3D text object.
In the toolbar, click the 3D Transform tool.
3D transform controls appear on the selected 3D text object in the Canvas.
Do any of the following:
- To move the text object horizontally along its X axis: Drag the red arrow.
- To move the text object vertically along its Y axis: Drag the green arrow.
- To move the text object forward or backward along its Z axis: Drag the blue arrow.
- To rotate the text object around its X axis: Move the pointer over the rotation handles until a red rotation ring appears, then drag the red ring.
- To rotate the text object around its Y axis: Move the pointer over the rotation handles until a green rotation ring appears, then drag the green ring.
- To rotate the text object around its Z axis: Move the pointer over the rotation handles until a blue rotation ring appears, then drag the blue ring.
For more information, see Transform layers in 3D space.

Move or rotate 3D text using HUD controls

In the Layers list, Timeline, or Canvas, select a 3D text object.
In the toolbar, click the 3D Transform tool.
Press F7 to open the HUD (if it’s not already open).
In the HUD, drag in the Move or Rotate squares.
For more information, see Transform layers in 3D space.

Move or rotate individual glyphs

You can also move or rotate individual characters (glyphs) of a 3D text object.

In the Layers list, Timeline, or Canvas, select a 3D text object.
In the toolbar, click and hold the 2D transform tools pop-up menu, then choose the Transform Glyph tool.
In the Canvas, select the glyph you want to move or rotate.
A 3D bounding box with position handles and rotation handles appears around the selected glyph.
Do any of the following:
- In the Canvas, drag a position handle (a colored arrow) to move the selected glyph along its X, Y, or Z (depth) axis.
- In the Canvas, drag a rotation handle (a small white circle) to rotate the selected glyph around its X, Y, or Z axis.
  As you drag, three colored rotation rings appear, each corresponding to an axis. The ring for the currently active axis is highlighted.

For more information about transforming glyphs, see Text glyphs overview.

Tip: You can also view 3D text from different perspectives by adding a camera and converting your project to 3D. For more information, see Add a camera.