bending vector graphic to a curve

I have a title consisting of a multitude of 3D letters with image overlays, in .ai and .eps formats. I want to bend it along a simple curve. I don't know where to begin, although I know how to create the curve using the Pen tool. After that my guess is that I need to use either the Mesh or Shape Builder tools. However, the Adobe Illustrator User Guide (consisting it would seem of online Help) clarifies nothing regarding the steps of the process. Anyone know of an appropriate online resource and in addition a good text that would step by step explain the process?