Recreating a Photoshop Text Bevel In Illustrator

Question

I recently created a mock-up of a boat decal in Photoshop that looks like this.

Photoshop Version

However, for printing purposes, I need to vectorize it. I spent a little while in Illustrator (which I've never used before), and after some fiddling, was able to nearly recreate it.

Vector Version without Bevel

But you'll notice that the text bevel is missing. I've read through pages and pages of instructions about Effect > 3d > Extrude & Bevel..., I've sat there on that menu and tried 100 different things, but I can't get anything even close to the Photoshop version. It ends up looking like this:

Attempt at Adding Bevel

Is there a way to achieve this in Illustrator? Or, at this point, I'm even willing to ask the bigger question: What is the easiest way to vectorize the Photoshop version, including the bevel?

Answer 1

This is Closest you can get to mimic the Bevel in Illustrator Using Just Blend Tool.

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Process I followed to do that

1. Outline Your Text.
2. Make a 2 Copy of it.
3. Change Upper Copy's Color to #fffff/bright
4. Change Bottom Copy's Color To Gray/Dark & Slightly move Bottom Copy to down and right Using arrow key/mouse, Note that Only Move some PX to get smooth Bevel Like Effect.(Your Shade Matters on angle You Moved Bottom Copy)
5. Select Blend Tool & Click on Bottom copy and then Upper Copy. (Order is not mattered here!)
6. Align is Outlined Text and group it.

NOTE: Make Sure You Selected "Smooth Color" In Blend Option

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Here is Presentation