Wireframe Neon Text Effect

neon wireframe text effect typography poster

// New File

Launch Adobe® Illustrator® and start with the new document, let’s say 700 x 980 px, units: Pixels, RGB color model, 72ppi:

Note: Instead of digging through your hard drive searching for the file you have just saved (or file you have opened via Open Recent Files menu command) use Doc Revealer Tool* to quickly locate your document in Finder (mac users), Explorer (win users) or Adobe® Bridge®.

// Start with Letters

Create a new layer, for example insert_txt. Make sure that insert_txt is your current layer, go to Type Tool, type ‘insert’ and change its font to DejaVu Sans, about 340pt:

Now we will divide the text object into multiple objects that make up its appearance.
[select the text] > Object > Expand… (expand Object, Fill)
[select the text] > Object > Ungroup

Place your text close to the bottom-right corner, something like this:

Set both: the fill and stroke color to RGB 0, 0, 0 (black) and weight of the stroke to 1pt

// The Projection

Now, go to Oblique Projection 'opo' Tool* panel > choose XY Transformation > type -20 for X, and 10 for Y > uncheck Custom Projection Color and Blend Color option. Choose projection z-order as Z- and projection type as wireframe.:

Select all 6 letters (insert_txt) > go to opo panel > and hit create projection button:

opo automatically creates two additional layers: one for the projection objects (insert_txt_PZ-) and another for the back side objects (insert_txt_BZ-).

// Back Art Color Appearance

Select the back objects using the Layers Panel (insert_txt_BZ-), set its Stroke Color to RGB 181, 68, 27 and Weight to 4pt.
Now, select the projection objects using the Layers Panel (insert_txt_PZ-), set its Stroke Color to RGB 181, 68, 27 and Weight to 1pt:

Finally, select the front objects using the Layers Panel (insert_txt), set its Stroke Color to RGB 255, 255, 255 and Weight to 4pt.

// Texture

The last thing we need is the new background. Go to Layers Panel > create a new Layer > Set its name to background. Go to Rectangle Tool > create the new rectangle and set its Fill Color to RGB 241, 90, 36

Add another layer: texture. Move it to the top:

Prepare your own image file or download one from http://designinstruct.com/free-resources/free-water-color-dripping-textures (I chose Watercolorfall Texture 01).
Make sure that texture layer is active, go to File > Place… > and select the texture image. Scale it as required:

Go to Layers Panel > select texture > go to Transparency Panel > set Blending Mode to Multiply and Opacity to 100%:

That's it! Save your work: File > Export > JPG (Use Artboards)

// author: Pawel Kuc