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Smoke Effect with Text Layer in After Effects

April 6, 2021
Denys Siurin

Denys Siurin

Motion Designer & Tutor

Find out how to achieve the smoke in after effects. The main thing is to make it tapered. You can accomplish this task with the taper in shape layers. But you can make it with Text Layer too. And, of course, the text layer gives you the possibility to make the gradient stroke. So choose whatever you like more.

Smoke Effect with Text Layer in After Effects

To create a smoke effect with a text layer in After Effects, you can follow these steps:

  1. Create a new composition by going to “Composition” > “New Composition.” Set the desired dimensions and duration for your composition.
  2. Create a new solid layer by going to “Layer” > “New” > “Solid.” Choose a color that contrasts well with your text.
  3. Select the Text tool from the toolbar and create a text layer by clicking and dragging on the composition.
  4. Customize the text by selecting the text layer and modifying the font, size, and other properties in the Character and Paragraph panels.
  5. Apply the “CC Smoke” effect to the text layer. You can find this effect by going to “Effect” > “Simulation” > “CC Smoke.”
  6. Adjust the properties of the CC Smoke effect to achieve the desired look. Some parameters you can tweak include Smoke Birth, Smoke Death, Smoke Opacity, and Smoke Scale. Play around with these settings until you’re satisfied with the smoke effect.
  7. To enhance the smoke effect, you can apply additional effects such as “Fast Blur” or “Gaussian Blur” to the text layer or the solid layer. Experiment with different settings to create the desired level of blurriness.
  8. If you want the smoke to gradually appear or disappear, you can animate the opacity of the text layer or the solid layer. Place keyframes at the desired points and adjust the opacity values accordingly.
  9. Optionally, you can add a background or other elements to complement your smoke effect. You can import images or create additional layers to enhance the overall composition.
  10. Once you’re satisfied with the smoke effect and other elements in your composition, you can render the final result by going to “Composition” > “Add to Render Queue.” Configure the output settings, such as file format, resolution, and destination, and click “Render.”

Remember to save your project periodically to avoid losing any progress. Feel free to experiment with different effects, adjustments, and animations to create a unique smoke effect with a text layer in After Effects.

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