1. Covert text to paths
Creating vector prismatic effects from scratch like this isn't easy. It's time consuming and can be very tedious. However the end result can also be very rewarding and you'll have something that can be cut from vinyl. (This is also the method I used to create Convecta, Wall Dog, and Quantum.) Start off with a font with wide enough strokes to properly display the prismatic effects, then convert the text to editable paths.

2. Drawing Continued
Continue adding points as shown. Notice the lines outside the letter are not straight -- it doesn't matter since this area will be cut off later. Finally, connect to the first point you created.

3. Create inset path
With our "prismatic" shape drawn, select the letter "I" and create an inset path as shown in red. It is important to keep the path close to the edge of the letter.


4. Removing excess area
Select both the yellow path and the red path and choose the "intersect" command in your program -- at least that's what Illustrator, Freehand, and CorelDRAW call it. (You may have to play around with the different path operations your particular program offers to find the right one.) Afterward, you should end up with the image shown. Note: In CorelDRAW, uncheck "Leave Original: Source Objects and Target Objects" before performing the intersect operation.

It isn't a perfect process and undoubtedly you will find extra points that need to be removed.

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