Hey there! Have you ever wanted to create a cool text particle dissolve effect in After Effects without using any plugins? Well, you’re in luck! In this tutorial by Ryan Shirley, he shows you step-by-step how to achieve this effect. First, he guides you through creating a new composition with the right settings, then he demonstrates how to add and duplicate text layers. Next, he introduces the particle system and composite effects to enhance the fireworks-like animation. Additionally, he explains different settings such as birth rate, longevity, and gravity to customize the particles’ behavior. Finally, he teaches you how to make the text disappear using linear wipe and adds some final touches to perfect the effect. It’s a super cool technique that can add extra flair to your videos, so give it a try and let your creativity flow!

Overview of the Tutorial

Introduction to the text particle dissolve effect

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a text particle dissolve effect in After Effects. This effect adds a unique and visually appealing element to your videos. The particles will appear to dissolve and spread out from the text, creating a dynamic and captivating animation. Best of all, you won’t need to use any plugins to achieve this effect!

No need for a plugin

One of the best things about this tutorial is that you don’t need to download or install any additional plugins. After Effects already has all the tools and features necessary to create the text particle dissolve effect. This means that anyone with access to After Effects can follow along and create this effect.

Video tutorial by Ryan Shirley

To make it even easier for you to learn, Ryan Shirley has created a video tutorial demonstrating the step-by-step process. Ryan is an experienced filmmaker and tutorial creator, and his videos are known for being easy to follow and informative. You can find the tutorial on his YouTube channel, along with other tutorials and cinematic videos. Make sure to subscribe to his channel to stay updated on his latest videos.

Setting Up the Composition

Creating a new composition

To begin, open After Effects and create a new composition. Set the dimensions to 1920 pixels in height and 1080 pixels in width. Choose a frame rate of 24 frames per second, and set the resolution to full. This will ensure that your composition matches the desired output settings.

Specifying the dimensions and frame rate

Setting the dimensions and frame rate is crucial for ensuring that your composition is the correct size and plays back smoothly. By choosing the appropriate dimensions and frame rate, you can ensure that your final video will look professional and polished.

Setting the resolution

In addition to specifying the dimensions and frame rate, it’s important to set the resolution of your composition. The resolution determines the level of detail and clarity in your video. By selecting the full resolution, you can achieve the highest quality output, ensuring that your text particle dissolve effect looks crisp and vibrant.

Adding and Adjusting Text Layers

Using the text tool

To add a text layer to your composition, select the text tool from the toolbar. Click on the desired location in the composition where you want the text to appear. This will create a text layer that you can then customize.

Typing and centering the text

After creating the text layer, use the text tool to type in the desired text. Once the text is entered, you can use the alignment options in the toolbar to center the text horizontally and vertically within the composition. This will ensure that the text is properly positioned and appears balanced.

Duplicating the text layer

To create the particle dissolve effect, you will need two text layers. Duplicate the original text layer by using the keyboard shortcut “Command C” followed by “Command V”. This will create an identical copy of the text layer. The duplicated layer will serve as the base for the particles, while the original layer will remain intact.

Applying Particle Systems

Accessing the Effects tab

To add the particle systems effect to your composition, go to the Effects tab in the toolbar. Here, you can find various effects that can be applied to your layers. Scroll through the effects list until you find the Particle Systems effect.

Adding the Particle Systems effect

Drag the Particle Systems effect from the Effects tab and drop it onto the duplicated text layer. This will apply the effect to the layer, giving it the appearance of particles. The initial result may be limited to a box, but this can be fixed in the next step.

Positioning the effect layer

To expand the particle effect and make it fill the entire composition, use the Composite CC composite tool. In the Effects tab, search for Composite CC composite and apply it to the duplicated text layer. This will remove the limitations of the particle effect and allow it to spread out within the composition.

Adjusting Particle Systems Settings

Accessing the Particle Systems settings

With the Particle Systems effect applied, you can now adjust the settings to customize the appearance of the particles. Open the settings tab for the Particle Systems effect to access the various parameters that can be adjusted.

Exploring the birth rate setting

The birth rate setting controls the number of particles emitted from the text layer. By adjusting the birth rate, you can control the density of the particles. Increasing the birth rate will result in a higher number of particles, while decreasing it will create a more sparse effect.

Adjusting the longevity setting

The longevity setting determines how long the particles will remain in the air before disappearing. By adjusting this setting, you can control the duration of the particle effect. Keep in mind that a longer longevity value will result in particles that linger in the composition for a longer period of time.

Modifying the radius setting

The radius setting determines the area from which the particles are emitted. By modifying this setting, you can control the spread of the particles. A larger radius value will result in particles that are emitted from a wider area, while a smaller radius value will restrict the particles to a narrower range.

Changing the Y direction setting

The Y direction setting controls the direction in which the particles are emitted from the text layer. By adjusting this setting, you can control the vertical movement of the particles. Positive values will result in particles that rise upwards, while negative values will produce particles that fall downwards.

Setting the Keyframes

Adding keyframes for animation

To create animation in After Effects, keyframes are used to mark specific points in time where a change occurs. By adding keyframes to the Particle Systems effect, you can animate the particles and create a dynamic dissolve effect. Keyframes can be added by clicking on the stopwatch icon next to each parameter.

Adjusting the particle spread and movement

By adjusting the keyframes and values for parameters such as particle spread and movement, you can control the animation of the particles. Experiment with different values and timings to achieve the desired effect. Play back the composition to preview the animation and make any necessary adjustments.

Exploring the Source Alpha Inheritance feature

The Source Alpha Inheritance feature allows the particles to only be emitted from the areas where the letters of the text are located. This creates a more visually cohesive effect, as the particles are closely tied to the text itself. By enabling this feature, you can ensure that the particles stay within the boundaries of the text.

Exploring Different Animation Effects

Trying out different animation effects

In addition to the Particle Systems effect, there are various other animation effects that can be applied to the text layer. The tutorial suggests trying out different effects, such as the explosion or fire effects, to see what works best for your composition. Experimentation is key in finding the perfect animation effect for your needs.

Using the Direction One effect

The Direction One effect creates an animation where the particles move in a specific direction. This effect can add a sense of motion and flow to the composition. By applying this effect to the particle system, you can achieve a more dynamic and engaging visual result.

Adjusting Particle Velocity and Gravity

Modifying the particle velocity setting

The particle velocity setting controls the speed at which the particles are emitted from the text layer. By modifying this setting, you can control the rate at which the particles move across the screen. Adjusting the particle velocity can result in a faster or slower dissolve effect, depending on your desired outcome.

Understanding the inherent velocity setting

The inherent velocity setting determines the speed at which the particles move on their own, independent of any external forces. By adjusting this setting, you can achieve different levels of movement and flow within the particle system. Experiment with different values to find the desired look and feel for your animation.

Manipulating the gravity setting

The gravity setting controls the behavior of the particles in relation to gravity. Positive values will cause the particles to fall downwards, while negative values will result in particles that rise upwards. Adjusting the gravity setting can add a sense of realism and dynamics to the particle animation.

Using the extra setting

The extra setting adds additional variation to the particles. By adjusting this setting, you can introduce randomness and irregularity to the particle system. This can result in a more organic and natural-looking effect. Experiment with different values to find the right balance of variation for your composition.

Changing Particle Opacity and Color

Adjusting the particle opacity

To further customize the appearance of the particles, you can adjust their opacity. By modifying the opacity setting, you can control how transparent or opaque the particles are. Lower opacity values will result in more translucent particles, while higher values will make them appear more solid.

Modifying the birth and death colors

The birth color setting determines the color of the particles when they are emitted from the text layer. The death color setting determines the color of the particles when they disappear. By modifying these color values, you can create different visual effects and transitions. Experiment with different colors to find the right look for your composition.

Conclusion

Summary of the tutorial

In this tutorial, you learned how to create a text particle dissolve effect in After Effects. By following the steps outlined in the tutorial, you were able to achieve a dynamic and visually appealing animation. The tutorial covered various aspects, including composition setup, text layer creation, particle system application, and animation adjustments.

Encouragement to experiment with settings

While the tutorial provided specific values and settings, it’s important to note that experimentation is key in achieving the desired effect. Feel free to adjust the settings, keyframes, and animation effects to suit your creative vision. Don’t be afraid to play around and try different combinations to create a truly unique and captivating result.

Closing remarks from Ryan Shirley

At the end of the tutorial, Ryan Shirley encourages you to explore your creativity and experiment with the techniques and settings provided. He also encourages you to subscribe to his channel on YouTube for more tutorials and cinematic videos. With the skills and knowledge gained from this tutorial, you can continue to create stunning visual effects in After Effects.