3D Text Animation in After Effects
In video editing and motion graphics, 3D text animation has become a powerful concept for adding a unique touch to your projects. Adobe After Effects, a popular software for creating stunning visual effects and motion graphics, allows you to create impressive 3D text animations easily. This guide will provide a steady tutorial on creating a captivating 3D text in After Effects.
Setting Up Your Composition in After Effects
To begin, create a new composition by going to Composition > New Composition. Name your composition and set the desired resolution, frame rate, and duration.
Changing the 3D Renderer to Cinema 4D
In the Composition Settings, locate the 3D Renderer section and change the default renderer from Classic 3D to Cinema 4D.
This change will enable advanced 3D features for your text animation.
Adding and Customizing Your Text Layer
With the new composition open, create a new text layer by going to Layer > New > Text.
Type in your desired text and adjust the font, size, and color as needed. To access advanced text customization options, click the small arrow on the left side of the text layer.
Enabling Per-character 3D and Adjusting Geometry Options
Let’s start animating, Click Animate button on right corner of the text layer. To create depth for each character in your text, enable the “Enable Per-character 3D” option.
Next, access the Geometry Options by clicking the small arrow next to the text layer. Set the Bevel Style to Angular, the Bevel Depth to 2.0, and the Extrusion Depth to 100 for a three-dimensional effect.
Adding Color to the Sides and Bevels of the Text
To add color to the sides of your text, follow these steps:
- Go to Animate > Side > Color > RGB.
- Choose your preferred color for the sides of the text.
To add color to the bevels of your text, follow these steps:
- Go to Animate > Bevel > Color > RGB.
- Choose your preferred color for the bevels of the text.
Creating a Rotation Animation for the Text
Add a Rotation Animator by going to Animate > Rotation. Adjust the settings as follows:
- X Rotation: 0x+0.0
- Y Rotation: 0x25,0
- Z Rotation: 0x+0,0
Animating the Range Selector
To animate the Range Selector, click the arrow on the left side of the text layer and adjust the end value from 0 to 100% at 20 frames.
Adding and Animating a Position Animator
To create a more dynamic animation, add a Position Animator by going to Animate > Position. Set the last position’s Z-Position to 3000 to move your 3D text layer further back.
Click the Range Selector and animate the start value from 0 to 100% at 20 frames.
Enhancing the Animation with Additional Position Animators
Add another Position Animator and set the Z-Position to 300.
Animate the end value from 0 to 100% at 24 frames for an even more engaging animation.
🙂 It’s done! let’s add some motions! you can easily do this by converting all your keyframes to Easy Ease. Select all your keyframs and press F9 or simply right click and Click Keyframe & Right Click > Assistant > Easy Ease.
Customize Your 3D Text Animation to Suit Your Needs
Congratulations! You have successfully created a 3D text animation in After Effects. Feel free to customize your animation further by experimenting with different settings, colors, and animation styles. You can also add additional animators, such as scale or opacity, to create a truly unique and eye-catching 3D text animation.
