Custom shape layer filling in when going 3d?

[STC_ATB]

I wonder if someone can help - I have autotraced some custom hanwritten text in order to adjust and animate extrude etc...

I pasted the mask paths to new added paths in a new shape layer and added a fill, and then used the 'reversed path direction' button to 'cutout' the centers of letters like O or B, but when i hit the 3d button they get filled in and i cant find a way to fix this ?

sorry if its a v basic noob question, but any advice would be most welcome.

cheers in advance

[Rick Gerard]

To make an O or a B, you should be using the Merge Paths tool on a shape layer. The easiest way to see exactly what should be done would be to type a capital B on a text layer, then use the Layter/Create/Shapes from Text menu and look at the way the shapes are arranged. The outside of the B will be the top layer, and the holes will be below that, with Merge Paths set to Merge. Something like this: