Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
This use of a layer as the source for extrusion can lead to all kinds of
interesting things. You can animate the text, use animation presets for
animating in/out the text; you can even warp it! The possibilities are
rather limitless. The only limitation is the need to use vector art and
not bitmapped graphics for this feature.
Flying logos
As you probably know, flying logos are the main staple of any motion graphics
artist. Just look at the beginning of any film. I mean really! How many flying logos
does one film need?! I've toyed with the idea of making a film made of nothing
but flying logos to tell a story.
The principle is the same. We just use a logo layer rather than a text layer. The first
thing you will need to do is put the logo on a transparent background in Photoshop.
If the entire logo is in one color, then it's cool! Put it on one layer. But if the logo
needs several textures, break it into separate layers in Photoshop. We're using the
Test Pilot RC
logo (with the generous permission of the website, of course). I've
broken the main logo and the website address into separate layers. Then, I import the
layers separately into After Effects and place them in the timeline.
As we're using a bitmap graphic, we make it large; very large (so that we can have
smooth curves). Once we put it on the timeline, we scale it down to it the window
and create a mask path out of it. We do this by selecting
Layer
|
Auto-trace
. The
result is a masked image (Element uses mask paths to create objects) that looks like
the following screenshot:
