🎥 How to Create Custom Text Bubble Animations in After Effects
Are you looking to add some flair to your video projects? Look no further than custom text bubble animations in After Effects! In this tutorial, we'll show you how to create reactive text bubbles that adjust to the length of your text. Plus, we'll provide an easy-to-use template for Premiere Pro.
Table of Contents
- **Introduction**
- **Step 1: Create a New Composition**
- **Step 2: Create the Message Box**
- **Step 3: Add Text and Rename Layers**
- **Step 4: Make the Box Reactive**
- **Step 5: Animate the Text Bubble**
- **Step 6: Pre-compose and Duplicate**
- **Step 7: Customize the Second Message**
- **Step 8: Create a Message Thread**
- **Conclusion**
Introduction
In this tutorial, we'll show you how to create custom text bubble animations in After Effects. These text bubbles are reactive, meaning they adjust to the length of your text. Plus, we'll provide an easy-to-use template for Premiere Pro.
Step 1: Create a New Composition
To get started, create a new composition in After Effects. Name it "Text Message Conversation" and select a 4K preset with 29 frames per second. Leave the duration at 10 seconds.
Step 2: Create the Message Box
To create the message box, grab the rectangle tool and select the rounded rectangle tool. Click on the fill color and change it to match the blue color from your reference photo. Click and drag out a new shape inside the composition panel and get it kind of accurate to the first message. Increase the roundness under controls to get roundness.
Step 3: Add Text and Rename Layers
Add text using the San Francisco font and make adjustments to the size and leading. Rename the box shape layer "Message Box" and the text layer "Text Message." This will be important later.
Step 4: Make the Box Reactive
To make the box reactive, we'll use some expressions. Copy and paste the provided expression code for the source Rec time expression into the size and position fields. Make sure the text name matches inside the expression. Now, when you replace the text, the box automatically resizes with the text.
Step 5: Animate the Text Bubble
Animate the text bubble by creating a new null object and parenting the layers to it. Make a keyframe for the Y position and pull it down a little bit at the beginning. Make the opacity value 0 and change it to 100 after 15 frames. Add some easy ease to the last keyframe of the position and fine-tune it in the graph editor.
Step 6: Pre-compose and Duplicate
Pre-compose the layers and name it "Message 1." Duplicate it by hitting command D and make adjustments to create "Message 2."
Step 7: Customize the Second Message
Customize the second message by adding new text and changing the background color of the message box to gray. Offset the animation by dragging the layer to the right in the timeline.
Step 8: Create a Message Thread
Create a message thread by dragging in "Message 2" to the timeline panel and offsetting it to the right. Select both messages and realign them to wherever you want on the screen.
Conclusion
That's it! You now know how to create custom text bubble animations in After Effects. Use this technique to add some flair to your video projects. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them down below.
Highlights
- Create reactive text bubbles that adjust to the length of your text
- Animate the text bubble with easy ease and fine-tune it in the graph editor
- Pre-compose and duplicate to create a message thread
- Use the San Francisco font for an authentic look
FAQ
Q: Can I use a different font besides San Francisco?
A: Yes, but it may not look as authentic.
Q: Can I change the color of the message box?
A: Yes, just click on the fill color and select a new color.
Q: Can I add more messages to the thread?
A: Yes, just duplicate the pre-comp and make adjustments to create a new message.
