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Activity Forums Adobe After Effects Applying Drop Shadow To Text w/ Gradient That Moves!

  • Applying Drop Shadow To Text w/ Gradient That Moves!

    Posted by Deke Ryland on February 1, 2008 at 7:45 pm

    Hey guys,

    I need to make some animatable text with a gradient, and I just cannot figure out a way to do so that will allow me to maintain control of the gradient (start and stop of ramp on type) and allow me to drop shadow the text as well.

    If I make a new text layer, then make a new solid and apply the ramp to the solid and move the solid underneath the text layer and set it’s track matte to “sillohuette alpha {the type layer}”.. it works great. But if I then try to add a drop shadow onto the text layer, the solid alpha matte below thinks the drop shadow is part of the matte. You see what I’m saying?

    Now if I was to simply ditch the solid and just put the ramp on the text layer, that won’t work either, cause the start and stop of the ramp won’t dynamically move when I animate the text around the comp.

    So anyone know how I can put a gradient on some text that will allow me to maintain the gradient on the type and do stuff liek drop shadows, etc?

    Any help would GREATLY be appreciated. Thanks!

    Darby Edelen replied 18 years, 3 months ago 2 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • Darby Edelen

    February 1, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    You could pre-compose the text layer and the solid ramp layer and then apply the drop shadow to the pre-comp in your main composition.

    Darby Edelen
    Designer
    Left Coast Digital
    Santa Cruz, CA

  • Deke Ryland

    February 1, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    Hey Darby,

    Has anyone ever told you how brilliant you are?

  • Darby Edelen

    February 2, 2008 at 12:11 am

    It’s the simplest answers that are so often the best =)

    Darby Edelen
    Designer
    Left Coast Digital
    Santa Cruz, CA

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