Create a Shatter Text Effect in Adobe After Effects

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Create a Shatter Text Effect in Adobe After Effects

Creating dynamic Shatter text effects in Adobe After Effects is a great way to enhance your video projects. This tutorial will guide you through creating a stunning shatter text reveal effect. This step-by-step guide is perfect for beginners and advanced users who want to add a professional touch to their videos.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Shatter Text Effect:

Introduction

The shatter text reveal effect is a visually striking animation where text appears to shatter into view. It’s widely used in title sequences, intros, and other creative projects. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating this effect, from setting up your composition to adding finishing touches.

Before You Begin

Make sure you have the following assets ready:

  • Text texture image
  • Plexus map image
  • Background image

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Create a New Composition

  1. Open Adobe After Effects.
  2. Create a new composition and name it Shatter Text Reveal.
    • Use your preferred resolution and frame rate.
    • Set the duration to 5 seconds.

Step 2: Add and Center Text

  1. Select the Type Tool from the toolbar.
  2. Click anywhere on the screen and type your text.
  3. Center the anchor point of the text layer.
  4. Align your text to the center of the composition.

Step 3: Pre-compose the Text Layer

  1. Right-click on the text layer and choose Pre-compose.
  2. Name the pre-composition Text.
  3. Move the text texture image into the assets folder.
  4. Drag and drop the text texture below the text layer.

Step 4: Apply Track Matte

  1. Click the Toggle Switches/Modes button to reveal track matte options.
  2. Set the track matte of the text layer to Alpha Matte.
  3. Select the texture layer, open its scale properties, and reduce the scale to 67%.
  4. Select both layers, right-click, and choose Pre-compose. Name it Text Texture.

Step 5: Add the Plexus Map and Background

  1. Drag and drop the plexus map image below the Text Texture composition.
  2. Right-click on the plexus map layer and choose Pre-compose. Name it Map and ensure to move all attributes.
  3. Hide the map layer.
  4. Add the background image below all layers.
  5. Solo the background layer.
  6. Use the Ellipse Tool to draw a mask on the background layer.
  7. Set Mask Feather to 500 pixels and Mask Expansion to -20 pixels.

Step 6: Scale the Map Layer

  1. Open the Map composition.
  2. Scale the Plexus Map layer from 100% to 120%.

Step 7: Apply the Shatter Effect

  1. Return to the main composition.
  2. Select the Text Texture layer and apply the Shatter effect from the Effects & Presets panel.
  3. Change the View to Rendered.
  4. Under Shape, set Pattern to Custom and Custom Shatter Map to Map.

Step 8: Adjust Shatter Physics

  1. Under Physics:
    • Set Tumble Axis to None.
    • Set Randomness to 0.3.
    • Set Viscosity to 0.3.
    • Set Mask Variance to 30%.
    • Change Gravity to 0 and Gravity Direction to .
  2. Under Force 1:
    • Set Depth to 0.2.
    • Set Radius to 0.5.

Step 9: Duplicate and Adjust Timing

  1. Move the time cursor to 1 second.
  2. Duplicate the Text Texture layer.
  3. Move the duplicate to 1 second.
  4. Delete the Shatter effect from the bottom layer.
  5. Adjust the timing of the bottom Text Texture layer.

Step 10: Create a 3D Effect

  1. Enable the 3D Layer option for the bottom text layer.
  2. Create a new Camera Layer.
  3. Add keyframes to the Z-position of the bottom text layer to create an animation where the text disappears.
  4. Use Keyframe Assistant to apply Easy Ease and adjust the graph editor for smooth motion.
  5. Enable Motion Blur for the layer.

Step 11: Add Wiggle Effect

  1. Pre-compose all layers and name the composition Shatter Build.
  2. Select the Shatter Build layer and open its position properties.
  3. Hold Alt and click the stopwatch icon to add an expression. Use the wiggle expression for subtle movement.
  4. Scale the layer from 100% to 105%.

Project File Details:

UpdatedJanuary 15, 2025
CompatibilityAfter Effects CC
Required PluginNo
Size6.51 MB
CategoryText Animation Tutorials
PriceFree