Doing Text with Amapi 3D v4

One of the great new features of Amapi 3D v4.0 which didn't exist in prior versions is the ability to enter text. Truetype (outline) fonts can be used, and Amapi can either extrude it for you or you can get more fancy and simply use the outlines as paths for duplicating other objects, for sweeping, etc...
 
 

The new Construction  toolkit has  text tool:

First you select the font, and enter the desired text. It can span over several lines.
 

If you leave the "Extrusion" box checked (enabled), you'll easily get a 3D solid text string:

If however you don't want Amapi to apply a default thickness to it:

then you'll just get a set of outlines. These are now curves,

which can be filled into a surface with the Extract Surface tool:

But there are many more ways to use this now. You can apply the Thickness tool to these outline paths:

and get some kind of Neon lights effect:

Or, apply more attributes, materials, make parts reflective, cast some soft shadows, etc... and do a cool raytraced 3D logo:

You can even use the outline paths with the Duplication tool. In this case, other objects get replicated along the outline path(s). For example, here's a sphere along the 'O' and a rectangular box along the 'k' for 'Ok'.

... and here's a shaded rendering of a slightly different arrangement:

---