After Effects: Digital Handwriting

This quick After Effects tip for creating animated handwriting like that shown in the video below comes to us courtesy of Kirk Domer.

To import a Photoshop file:

1. Right Click in the gray area (to the left) under PROJECT to import file
2. Double click on the file

To make text reveal:

1. Click Effect->Generate->Stroke
2. Select the pen tool and trace the writing in the Composition Frame (Top Middle)
3. All in the lower left panel under STROKE:
   • Make sure path option starts with: “Mask 1”
   • Paint Style: Reveal Original Image
   • Place TWO “end” key frames – the first is 0.0 – the last is 100.00 (This will control how many seconds this will take to reveal).
   • Play with the brush size as well (based on the font).
4. Functions: Turn off for next mask – or click in the left grey box to start the next mask.

NOTES:

• All masks should be ON
• The space bar and mouse – moves the image to zoom in to your work space (works in PhotoShop too!).
• The “triple color ball” icon on TOP composition screen – make sure you are on RGB

TO SAVE:

• ALWAYS go to: Composition: Make Movie – then click render in the “render Queue”.
• Save to the correct OUTPUT file folder (so you know where to find the file)
• Rendering Setting: Best Settings
• Output Module: Lossless