Text within after Effects

Not text as image.
2 options to create text.
Layer>new>Text
'T' tool in tool bar. click onto composition window.. and type.
To change character info window>character.

Every box of text typed will exist as one layer.

What is different?
Anchor point not in centre of text. To change press 'A' shows anchor point details. -not most efficient.
Pan behind tool. Able to drag and move anchor point to where ever wanted.

text specific Layer properties.
- Source text. (stop watch shows it is something which can change over time, no numbers etc next to it so different to other properties.) It allows you to animate text over time.

Animate... Position. Adds animator 1,Range selector 1 and position.
by adjusting position tab - anchor point does not move, just the contents of the layer.
you do NOt have to add key frames to position property.

Use range selector to animate individual letters.... to move from one place to another.

Animating opacity-

Animating Scale - Each letter seems to have its own anchor point. start end... as usual.
Advanced options - character. Can change this to per word/per sentence. etc but currently set to character.
More options>anchor Point grouping>word - this means that although independantly moving each character has the same anchor point.
If you change anchor point grouping to 'all' representation of anchor point moved to centre.

Layer Mask - New solid layer. Size of composition.

when you add a shape to a layer it is called a mask.. which is as though you are looking through a key hole. this is a way to gradually show the layer y using another solid.

Kinetic Typography - Idiocracy from Nathan Campbell on Vimeo.

I think I chose this mainly for the colours and some layout used within the frame. When the type stands on its edge and then falls into place. I like the way just 2 fonts are used.. one for each voice.. the timid-ness of the person replying and the boldness and authority of the computer/telephone automated voice.

The background is also something different to just using white which is interesting. Could consider white type on a coloured background?

Terence McKenna - Reclaim your mind from Olivier Ferland on Vimeo.

Inch By Inch from Hugo Goudswaard on Vimeo.

Air Max AD from Stas on Vimeo.

Session2 with Micheal Flower

Creating assets in photoshop to move over to after effects.

create new file. Choosing film and video for the file type and always make sure it is the same settings as on the after effects file.

There are 2 guides created. Title safe zone ( inside) - any text/titles etc keep within rectangle.

Action safe zone (outside)- for any filmed action or motion graphics

The layers created in photoshop can then be used as individual layers when moved to photoshop.

Illustrator

Setting up a document is similar although of course it does not work in pixels so it will be missing the square pixel setting.

To save in either programme you can use a tiff or psd although if you want to keep the layers and not turn it into a flat document then save as a psd.

to import into after effects. file>import>file chose file go to 'Import as' footage turns file into a flat object.

Make sure when creating document in photoshop create at largest size possible so that all you need to do is decrease size when in after effects. Of course photoshop files do not increase in size with good quality.

You can create layers of the words being 'shattered' etc in photoshop before you import it into after effects.

After the break...

changing the pace of the entire animation.

- can move all key frames closer together. All happens quicker but this is not most efficient..

select all key frames. press alt>first/last key frame then press down.

Keyframe interpolation (effects shape of path and any other settings with the key frames) - animation.

This is how to make a sharp point instead of a curved movement. can also alter how smooth the opacity change is. etc.

change from bezier to linear.

Accelerate and decelerate - animation>Keyframe assistant.easy ease in/out

Similarly to indesign, when saving in after effects its important that the assets(files created else where) are kept with the main file.

file>collect files.