directx

make 3d text with direct x
like:
__ ___
/__/| /___/\
|_ | | | _ | |
/| || | || || |
|_ | | | || || |
/| || | |/| ||
|¯ |/ | ¯ |/
¯¯ ¯¯¯
it's pretty crude but you get the idea right?
if not reply ask for more info
what i want is:
shadows on the sides and stuff
---
either copy it to clipboard or save to a file or both
----
and possibly make it 256 colors etc.

any help?
thanks

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DiGiTaIErRoR