Les 7 - Text Animators (deel 1)

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore the fundamentals of text animators in Adobe After Effects, as presented in the video "Les 7 - Text Animators (deel 1)." Understanding text animators is crucial for creating dynamic and engaging motion graphics. This guide will help you grasp the basic features of text animators and how to apply them effectively in your projects.

Step 1: Accessing Text Animators

• Open Adobe After Effects and create a new composition.
• Select the Text tool and click anywhere in the composition to create a text layer.
• With the text layer selected, navigate to the "Animate" menu in the timeline panel.
• Choose "Animate Text" to reveal a list of animation properties.

Step 2: Understanding Animator Properties

Familiarize yourself with the different properties available under the text animator

• Position: Moves the text in the composition space.
• Scale: Changes the size of the text.
• Opacity: Adjusts the transparency of the text.
• Rotation: Rotates the text around its anchor point.
• Each property can be animated individually or in combination with others to create unique effects.

Step 3: Adding Animation Presets

• Click on the "Add" button next to "Animator 1" to explore additional animation options.
• Choose from presets like "Opacity," "Position," "Scale," etc.
• Experiment with applying different presets to see how they affect the text layers.

Step 4: Customizing Animation Settings

Adjust the settings of each animator to fit your desired effect

• Change the duration of the animation by dragging the keyframes in the timeline.
• Modify the easing options to create smoother transitions.
• Use the Range Selector to control which parts of the text are animated.

Step 5: Utilizing Range Selectors

• Select the Range Selector to refine which characters or words will be affected by the animation.

Adjust the following parameters

• Start: Determines where the animation begins.
• End: Sets where the animation finishes.
• Offset: Shifts the entire animation forward or backward.
• These settings allow for precise control over the timing and flow of the text animation.

Step 6: Layering Multiple Animators

• You can add multiple animators to a single text layer for complex animations.
• Repeat the process of adding animation properties and customizing settings for each animator.
• This layering technique can create visually rich text animations that catch the viewer's eye.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we've covered the basics of text animators in Adobe After Effects, including how to access them, customize animation properties, and utilize range selectors. Mastering these techniques will elevate your motion graphics projects and enhance your storytelling capabilities. As a next step, consider experimenting with combining different animation presets and settings to develop your unique style.