Bevel Text

This entry will cover the function of adding a Bevel to the built in Text object as can be shown below.

First step is to add some text to the scene with [SHIFT+A] and select Text.  Change the text string to whatever you like, but make sure there is space between the characters for the bevel.

Next add a Curve to your scene.  In this case I used a Bezier Curve.

Next assign that new curve to the Bevel Object field within the Text:Geometry panel.

The shape of the text may become a little crazy at this point, and the key to making it meaningful is in aligning the curve onto the correct axis.  In the image below, notice that the shape of the curve matches the shape of the side view of the text.  To achieve this correlation, view the curve from the Top [NUM7], and align the curve so that up/down for the curve is along the Y-axis (green).

What's confusing is that manipulating the curve from this view is orthogonal to what is actually happening to the text (where up/down is along the Z-axis).  A split view of the viewport helps in correlating the two.

Note also that no extrusion is needed when using this method.  The height of the curve provides the height for the text.  At this point, you can modify the curve however you like and experiment to get the right kind of bevel for your text.