Smoky Text Effect in Adobe After Effects CS5.5

Today I will be showing you how to make cool text animations.  This explains the various way to make basic text look wispy or smoky in a very simple way.

Download the smoke footage.

Step 1: Step 1

Click File on the top left hand side of the screen.  This will allow you to begin importing your material.

Step 2: Step 2

Click the Import button and then select your files that you will add the cool text to.  They will be located wherever you saved them and if you downloaded them try checking your downloads section.

Step 3: Step 3

After your footage is imported drag it down to the queue section.  If you are editing multiple clips place them in the order that you want them to appear.

Step 4: Step 4

Click the big "T" and this will allow you to add your text.  Click where you would like your text to be located and stretch it accordingly by dragging the box.

Step 5: Step 5

You may now type whatever awesome text you want.

Step 6: Step 6

You will find all of your text options where the arrow is pointing.  Since there are so many options,  you should just try them all out and fool around with them. Have some fun. Experimenting with program functions is often the best way to learn.

Step 7: Step 7

The three options I have shown below allow you to have something wisp over it in order to reveal the text.  For example, when the smoke goes past the text it will reveal the letters. Since the overlay is smoke it gives the animation a smoky feel.