How do I create a word animation as if text is rotating in a cube-like fashion

[John Cuevas]

Multiple ways to this but here’s one method. Create a layer of text, press “Y” to activate the anchor point tool, grab the anchor point and move it to the center of the text layer. Enable 3D for the layer. Press “A” to open up the anchor point and move the anchor about half the height of the layer(in my example I moved it to -50). Move forward 1 second, press “R” and set keyframe for “X Rotation”, then move forward again for the duration you want your text to be visible and add another keyframe. Now move to the beginning of your timeline and set change the X Rotation to -90. Now move 1 second past your last keyframe and set a keyframe to +90.

Lastly add this expression to your opacity by pressing “T” then “alt+clicking” on the stopwatch:

if (toCompVec([0, 0, 1])[2] > 0 ) value else 0

That expression makes it so when your layer isn’t facing the default camera, it’s opacity goes to 0.

Then just duplicate the text, change it and offset each layer. Here’s an example project demonstrating the technique: 8131_rotatingtext.aep.zip

Also, I would strongly suggest you check out: Getting started with After Effects (CS4, CS5, CS5.5, CS6, & CC)

Johnny Cuevas, Editor
Thinkck.com

“I have not failed 700 times. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.”
—THOMAS EDISON on inventing the light bulb.

[Aaron Robertson]

Thank you John I greatly appreciate your help and the resources