-Enter action with: a white BG, a white (any color) layer (1), and a layer (2) in the color your text should have.
-Turn of the matte for layer (2) (the color layer)
-Create your 3D text with depth, kerning, bevel etc. as you like it
-Add layer (2) as texture to give it color or a colored texture. Don´t change the color of the geometry!!
-Add layer (1) as image
-Add source and matte nodes for layer (1)
-Parent these to the top axis of your 3D text
-Turn on shading (you can do this earlier if you want)
-Add a light
-Parent the light as a branch under the front source node (sometimes now you have to press update, advance one step on the timeline)
-Add a shadow for layer(1)
-Blur the shadow and the layer if you like
-Now you can light your 3D text, change kerning, bevel and everything, recolor it with the texture (and CC) without relinking anything

 

Submitter: Tom Tiller