Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Type Tool Settings
Typography in After Effects used to require all design preparation in either
Illustrator or Photoshop, or by using one of the Effects plug-ins available in the
Pro version. And though the toolsets in Illustrator and Photoshop are strong,
imported text is inflexible - incapable of simple alteration or animation. The
Effects plug-ins have animation options, but can't approach the simplicity and
flexibility of the Type Tool.
In a previous section the Type Tool's controls were described, as was a quick
example of using the built-in Animation Presets for Type. Now we'll expand on
those lessons with examples of how to build your own custom self-contained
typographic animations.
1
Open
Typography.aep
.
2
Toggle 'on' the first layer to
see the text reference that
needs to be created.
3
Activate the Type Tool
(Ctrl
T).
4
In the
Character
menu, select
a
Font
(Bullet-SmallCaps was
originally used) similar to the
reference.
5
Set the
Fill
color chip by
using the eyedropper to
sample the burgundy color in
the example.
6
Click on the
Stroke
color
chip, then use the
eyedropper to sample the
dark blue text outline.
7
Set the
Size
to '75', the
Stroke
weight to '6 px'
with
Fill Over Stroke
, and
Tracking
to '
40'.
