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After Effects: How To Create Shapes From Text
June 9, 2022 · Mike Murphy
This tutorial will show you how to convert text layers to shape layers to add animation and effects to individual characters.
After Effects CC 2022: How To Create Shapes From Text
**Description:
**This tutorial will show you how to convert text layers to shape layers to add animation and effects to individual characters.
**Software Used:
**Adobe After Effects CC 2022 (Click To Try or Buy)
Keyboard Shortcut:
- Cmd/Ctrl + T (Add Text)
How To Convert Text To Shape Layers:
- Add text to Composition (Cmd/Ctrl + T)
- Select text layer in the layers panel
- Right-click and select ‘Create’
- Then select ‘Create Shapes from Text’
- The Text Layer will be hidden (the eyeball is not visible)
- The Shape Layer will have a Star icon next to it
- The Shape Layer will be renamed with ‘Outlines’ in the title (rename if you want)
- Select the Shape Layer Outlines to select the whole group
- Twirl open the Shape Layer Outlines to select individual characters
**
How To Change The Fill Color of a Text Character:**
- Twirl open the Shape Layer Outlines to select individual characters
- Select the letter
- Twirl open properties
- Select Fill and twirl it open
- Double click on the color swatch or select the eyedropper to pick a color
- The color of the character should change