Create a dynamic typography animation

This video tutorial will show you how to create a dynamic typography animation in Adobe After Effects using Newton and LayerGenerators, along with a little help from ChatGPT.
We'll also explore how to add a scribbling finish touches with our plugin Plotter.

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Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Setting Up the Composition

We start by creating a portrait-mode composition in After Effects. Then, we generate a text layer containing a single letter in white. Instead of manually creating an entire alphabet, we use the Alphabet script (part of Layer Generators, available on aescripts.com) to quickly generate all letters.

To create a visually appealing animation, we:

• Set the font size to 230.
• Duplicate the alphabet six times to achieve a balanced composition.
• Align and center all layers within the view.

Step 2: Sequencing the Layers

To animate the letters appearing one by one:

• Select all text layers.
• Shift them to the left to make them appear one frame at a time.
• Use Keyframe Assistant → Sequence Layers to stagger their start times.
• Stretch all layers to around 10 seconds for a smooth transition.

This method creates a progressive reveal of each letter.

Step 3: Optimizing for Newton4

Instead of simulating complex letter shapes in Newton4 (which would be computationally heavy), we use a simpler method:

• Generate a mask on each letter to reduce polygon count.
• Use ChatGPT to create a script that applies rectangular masks to all selected text layers.
• Save the script as a .jsx file and execute it in After Effects.

Now, each letter has a simplified bounding box, making the Newton simulation faster and more efficient.

Step 4: Running the Newton4 Simulation

In Newton 4, we:

• Set the letters as dynamic objects.
• Define walls on all four sides of the composition.
• Disable gravity for a floating effect.
• Increase sub-steps for better accuracy.
• Apply randomization to position, rotation, and angular velocity to add variety.

After running the simulation, we render the new composition with the transformed letter movement.

Step 5: Applying a Scribble Effect with Plotter

To enhance the animation:

• Place the Newton-simulated composition inside a new one.
• Add a black background layer.
• Apply the Plotter plugin and select a Linedraw filter.
• Adjust the inversion settings to align the lines properly.
• Introduce randomness in the lines to create a rough, hand-drawn feel.

Step 6: Adding Variation to the Effect

To make the animation more dynamic, we introduce opacity variation:

• Use a randomizer script (available on aescripts) to set random opacity values between 15 and 100.
• Modify contrast and levels to influence the final appearance.
• Apply Posterize Time to achieve a cartoonish effect at around 10 FPS.

Final Result

By combining Newton 4’s physics simulation, custom scripting, and Plotter’s artistic rendering, we achieve a dynamic, stylized typography animation that is both visually engaging and computationally efficient.

Try this workflow yourself and experiment with different settings to create your own unique variations!