Page 8 of 8
Think I’m going to stop right there? Guess again. We still have one more row of text to add.
Select the Text Tool again and in the Comp Window type Digital Media Net. You will need to adjust the Font Size and position this new Text Layer below DMN in the Comp Window. Just for fun, I’m going to change the Font and Color as well.[an error occurred while processing this directive]
In the Timeline, move the Digital Media Net layer to begin near the ending keyframe of the DMN layer.
Using the steps above, have the words fade on screen. If you need help, examine the image below.
Okay, I told you I was going to show you the Path Options of a Text Layer, and here goes.
Select the Pen Tool from the Tool Palette and draw out a single curved mask directly on the Digital Media Net layer. Don’t worry about closing the mask. You should end up with something that looks like the following.
Twirl down the Path Options property for the Digital Media Net layer in the Timeline. From the Path Drop Down Menu select Mask 1. The text conforms to the shape of the Path.
Make a final RAM Preview.
| The completed animation. |
What you have learned
In this exercise you learned how to use the Text Tool to create text directly in the Comp Window. You learned how to Add Text Animators, make a Range Selection, and animate Text Animator Properties. You also learned that Masks can be used to define a path for your text to follow.
Hope you enjoyed this first After Effects 6.0 tutorial.
When not working deep in the labs of the DMN Central Division testing the latest and greatest software/hardware products Stephen Schleicher can be found at the local university teaching a few courses on video and web production. He can be reached at schleicher@mindspring.com. You can also visit him on the web at www.mindspring.com/~schleicher
Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
