[Ruthie Hendershot]

Thanks so much for response, because that’s a way to do it within After Effects that I couldn’t figure out–it’s tricky. I finally realized it had to be a mask, and found another way using Illustrator. If you draw anything in AI, then do Ctr-C into clipboard, then go back to After Effects and click on the solid layer you should have already made (click on object, NOT timeline), then Crl-V it makes a mask. In Illustrator I outlined my text. Trapcode 3D stroke then does all its cool manipulations.

Still wondering where to download PDF manual or such for Trapcode products? I was going to buy a bundle while I’m a student.