3D text with Inkscape using Blur

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This tutorial show how to make a 3D text in the style of the Google logo using mostly the SVG Gaussian Blur filter.

The final result will look like this:
3d text

Using the Text Tool, write the desired text for your logo using a nice serif font. This object will be used many times across this tutorial so we will need to keep a copy of it (here I used Copy and Paste in Place each time I needed it later).
3d text

Select the text, convert it to path and then break apart:
3d text 3d text

Here is the Break Apart result (zoomed in to get better accuracy in the next steps):
3d text

For the letters with holes in them select the interior and the exterior and apply Difference:
3d text 3d text

For the letters formed of multiple parts, select all pieces and apply Union:
3d text 3d text

The result look the same as the initial text but each letter is a different object:
3d text

Color the letters in vivid, rainbow color, just like the Google logo:
3d text

Bring a copy of the initial text and color it white:
3d text

Duplicate the text, move it a little down and to the right (I used a different color for the duplicate just to make the operation clearer):
3d text

Select the two copies and apply Difference:
3d text

Apply Blur to the result and reduce its opacity:
3d text

Here is the highlight area:
3d text

Bring again a copy of the initial text and make it black:
3d text

Duplicate the text, move it a little up and to the left:
3d text

Select the two copies and apply Difference:
3d text

Apply Blur and reduce the opacity:
3d text

And here is the dark area:
3d text

The text is a bit blurry, so a clip or mask operation is needed. Bring yet another copy of theinitial text and select all (the text, colored letters, lights and shadows):
3d text

Apply Cut:
3d text

And here is our 3D text:
3d text

Now zoom it back to the original size and enjoy the result:
3d text

For the last time bring a copy of the initial text, make it black:
3d text

Move it down and to the right and lower it under the rest of the logo:
3d text

Apply Blur and reduce the opacity:
3d text

And this is the final form:
3d text

If needed, add other elements of the logo:
3d text


Update: a Romanian translation is also available.

 a disclaimer will appear here soon



Many thanks to my friends at OpenArt.ro, www.xdrive.ro and Inovatika for motivating me to write this.