Create Stunning Light Text Effects in After Effects

Introduction to Light Text Animation in After Effects

Adding a glowing light effect to text can elevate your video projects, giving them a polished and cinematic feel. This guide will walk you through creating a glowing text effect using simple tools in After Effects.

Step 1: Create a New Composition

Open After Effects and create a new composition by going to Composition > New Composition. Set your resolution and duration according to your project needs.

Step 2: Add Bold Text

Use the Type Tool (Ctrl/Cmd + T) to add bold text to your composition. Choose a thick font style like Arial Black or Impact for better visibility of the effect.

Step 3: Create Masks from Text

Right-click on the text layer in the timeline and select Create > Create Masks from Text. This will convert the text outlines into editable masks, preparing them for the stroke effect.

Step 4: Apply the Stroke Effect

With the text outlines layer selected, go to the Effects & Presets panel and apply the Stroke effect. In the Effect Controls panel:

Set Paint Style to On Transparent.
Check All Masks and uncheck Stroke Sequentially.
Set the End value to 0.
Click the stopwatch icon next to End, move the CTI (Current Time Indicator) forward, and set the value to 100 to animate the stroke.
Step 5: Add a Black Solid Layer

Go to Layer > New > Solid and create a black solid layer. Place this layer beneath the text outlines in the timeline. Step 6: Apply the Lens Flare Effect

Select the black solid layer and apply the Lens Flare effect from the Effects & Presets panel. Adjust the Flare Brightness and choose a flare type that complements your text design. Step 7: Set the Blending Mode

Change the black solid layer’s Blending Mode to Screen. This removes the black background while keeping the lens flare visible over the text.

Step 8: Sync Flare with Text Masks

Copy the Mask Path from one of the letters in the Text Outlines layer. Paste it into the Flare Center property of the solid layer in the Effect Controls panel. This synchronizes the lens flare movement with the text stroke animation. Step 9: Adjust Colors with Curves

To enhance the color of the lens flare, apply the Curves effect to the black solid layer. Adjust the Red channels to create a cold, glowing light effect. Step 10: Duplicate Solid for Each Letter

To enhance the effect, duplicate the solid layer for each letter. Repeat the process for each letter of the text, adjusting the lens flare and mask path accordingly. This allows each letter to have its own glowing effect and independent movement.

Step 11: Preview the Animation

Press the Spacebar to preview your animation. Ensure the text glow and lens flare move smoothly and are visually appealing. Make any final tweaks if necessary.

Step 12: Render Your Project

Go to Composition > Add to Render Queue, adjust the output settings, and click Render to export your final glowing text video.

Conclusion

With these steps, you’ve created a stunning light text effect that can add a professional touch to any video project. Whether for title sequences or dynamic motion graphics, this effect is versatile and impactful.