How to Add Text to Video with Adobe After Effects?

What is Adobe After Effects?

Adobe After Effects CC is a digital visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing software application developed by Adobe Inc. It is a tool for the post-production process of filmmaking, video games, and television production. Adobe also offers video editing software Adobe Premiere Pro.

After Effects allows users to create graphics, text, and video clips to create effects. It includes a wide range of tools and features such as keying, tracking, compositing, and rotoscoping, allowing users to create complex visual effects and motion graphics. It also supports third-party plugins, which expand its capabilities even further.

How to use Adobe After Effects?

Here is an intro for beginners:

• Create a New Composition: Start by creating a new composition by selecting “Composition” > “New Composition” from the menu bar. Set the duration and size of the composition to match your video or animation.
• Import Media: Import your media files into After Effects by selecting “File” > “Import” > “File” from the menu bar.
• Create Layers: In the composition panel, create new layers by selecting “Layer” > “New” > “Layer” from the menu bar.
• Add Effects: After Effects includes a wide range of effects and plugins that are used to enhance your video or animation. To add an effect, select the layer you want to apply it to and go to the “Effects & Presets” panel.
• Animate: After Effects has powerful animation tools. Use keyframes to create movement and animation for your layers. Select the layer you want to animate and use the “Transform” properties to set keyframes for position, scale, rotation, and other properties.
• Preview: Preview your composition by pressing the spacebar to play or stop playback.
• Export: Once you have finished creating your composition, export it by selecting “Composition” > “Add to Render Queue” from the menu bar. Set your output settings and click “Render” to export your video or animation.

For more detailed information, check the tutorials on Adobe’s website and Adobe After Effects Tutorials on the internet. Video tutorials are also available in different social media apps.

How to Use Text in Adobe After Effects?

• Right-click and choose New > Text and an empty text layer will be added.
• It is possible to do the same thing from the layer menu up here and go to Layer > New > Text (Control – Alt – Shift – T).
• From there, select the Horizontal Type Tool, or what is commonly referred to as the text tool, and click inside the composition to add some text.
• When you are done entering the text, press Enter on the number pad and it will exit out of that text entry mode.

How to Add Subtitles in Adobe After Effects with Horizontal Type Tool?

Here are the steps to adding subtitles in Adobe After Effects with the Horizontal Type tool:

• Once you have imported your video into the Timeline, click on the Horizontal Type Tool located in the top bar to add any text. For keyboard shortcuts, press Ctrl+T (Windows) or Command+H (MacOS) to get it instantly.
• Create a new composition by selecting “Composition” > “New Composition” from the menu bar. Set the duration and size of the composition to match your video or animation.
• Create a new text layer by selecting “Layer” > “New” > “Text” from the menu bar.
• In the “Character” panel, set the font, size, and color of your text.
• Select the “Horizontal Type Tool” from the toolbar.
• Click and drag in the Composition panel to create a text box. This will create a new layer with your text inside the box.
• Type your text into the box using the Horizontal Type Tool.
• Use the selection tool to customize the position and size of your text box.
• Adjust the text properties in the “Character” panel to change the font, size, color, and other text options such as text effects, and animate text.
• Use the “Transform” properties to adjust the position, scale, and rotation of your text layer.
• Preview your composition by pressing the spacebar to play or stop playback.
• Export your composition by selecting “Composition” > “Add to Render Queue” from the menu bar. Set your output settings and click “Render” to export your video or animation.

How to Make Text Animation?

• Text search presets in the Effects & Presets panel.
• Browse animation presets and templates using Adobe Bridge.
• Drag and drop a preset from the Effects and Presets panel directly on a text layer to apply. The first keyframe of the preset will be placed at the location of the Current Time Indicator (CTI).
• Slide keyframes to change the timing of the animation. Stretch or squash multiple keyframes by holding Alt (Windows) or Option (MacOS) and dragging the first or last keyframe with all keyframes selected.