Minimal Circle Motion Graphics Text Animation in After Effects - After Effects Tutorial

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a minimal circle motion graphics text animation in Adobe After Effects without the use of plugins. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of using shape tools to design circles and animate text, making it an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced users looking to enhance their motion graphics skills.

Step 1: Set Up Your Composition

• Open Adobe After Effects.
• Create a new composition by navigating to Composition > New Composition.
• Set your desired resolution and duration. A common choice is 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames per second.

Step 2: Create Circles Using the Shape Tool

• Select the Ellipse Tool from the toolbar (or press Q).
• Hold down the Shift key while dragging to draw a perfect circle.
• Adjust the fill color and stroke in the Shape Layer settings to match your desired aesthetic.
• Duplicate the circle by selecting it and pressing Ctrl + D (Windows) or Cmd + D (Mac) to create multiple circles.

Step 3: Arrange Circles in Your Composition

• Use the Selection Tool (V) to reposition your circles within the composition.
• Consider arranging them in a circular pattern or in a line for a more dynamic effect.
• Adjust the size of the circles if necessary for variety.

Step 4: Animate the Circles

• Select a circle layer and press P to open the Position property.
• Click the stopwatch icon to create a keyframe at the beginning of your timeline.
• Move the timeline indicator a few seconds forward and adjust the position of the circle to create movement.
• Repeat this for each circle, changing their positions and timing to create a fluid animation.

Step 5: Add Text for Animation

• Select the Text Tool (Ctrl + T or Cmd + T) and click on the composition to create a text layer.
• Type in your desired text.
• Position the text within your circle arrangement to enhance the overall design.

Step 6: Animate the Text

• With the text layer selected, press P to access the Position property.
• Set keyframes for the text's position just like you did for the circles.
• Consider adding an opacity animation to fade the text in and out by pressing T and adjusting the opacity values.

Step 7: Finalize the Animation

• Review your animation by pressing the spacebar to play it.
• Make any necessary adjustments to timing or positions to ensure a smooth flow.
• Add effects or transitions if desired, such as fades or scale adjustments.

Conclusion

You now have a minimal circle motion graphics text animation created in After Effects. By following these steps, you can create engaging animations that enhance your video projects. Consider experimenting with different colors, shapes, and timings to make your animation unique. For further learning, explore additional resources on motion graphics and continue to refine your After Effects skills.