I am fairly new, so wasn't sure where else to put this, but I am very curious about how designers texture the typeface for the title of the film poster for Thor: here's the example I am talking about: http://www.impawards.com/2011/posters/thor_ver5_xlg.jpg

I'm more curious in general, but if someone could point me to some recommended instructions on the subject, I'd appreciate it.

Photoshop layer effects.

For this specific example, use a chrome/steel texture for the 'fill', a couple of pixels for a bevel, red outer glow, and add a little bit of 'white airbrushing' to the layer to brighten up points of the logo. Fairly simple and straight-forward.