Master After Effects SABER: Dynamic Title Animation & Neon Glow Effects??

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore the SABER plugin, a free tool provided by Video Copilot that enables users to create stunning visual effects in Adobe After Effects. This powerful plugin is widely used for crafting glowing lights, neon energy, and fire effects. A link to download the SABER plugin can be found in the description below.

Let’s dive into the steps to create dynamic title animations with this exciting tool!

Getting Started in After Effects

Launch After Effects and Create a Composition
- Begin by opening After Effects. Create a new composition by navigating to the composition panel and naming it “SA Testing.” Leave the composition settings at the default resolution of 1920x1080 and click 'OK'.
Add Text
- Select the text tool from the toolbar and type your desired text into the composition.
Create a Solid Layer
- Right-click in the empty space of your timeline, go to 'New,' and create a new solid layer. You can leave all settings as default and click 'OK'.
Apply the SABER Effect
- With your solid layer selected, go to the 'Effects & Presets' panel and search for 'SABER.' Apply this effect to your solid layer.
Customize the Core
- Select your solid layer again and navigate to the 'Effect Controls' panel. Find the 'Customize Core' option in the SABER effects section. Here, choose the text layer you created earlier, which we’ll name “You Are Awesome.”
- Adjust the glow intensity down to 10 for a cleaner look.

Animating the Text

To add animation to the text, we will utilize the SABER plugin’s offset controls.

Enable Start and End Offset
- Expand your work area and navigate to the solid layer once more. Under the SABER effects, enable both 'Start' and 'End Offset.' This will automatically create keyframes on your timeline.
- Set the values for both keyframes to 50.
Create Additional Keyframes
- Move the playhead slightly further along the timeline. Here, create another set of keyframes. Set the 'Start Offset' to 0 and 'End Offset' to 100.

Final Adjustments

You can customize the appearance of your design in multiple ways:

Change Glow Color
- If you want to modify the glow color, simply click on the relevant color setting and choose any color you prefer.
Adjust Presets
- Go back to the 'Effect Controls' and select any preset that you like. For example, you can choose the 'Energize' or 'Electric' options to see how they change your design.

Adding a Background

To enhance your design further:

Incorporate a Background Layer
- Drag a background image or video beneath the text layer in the layers panel.
Set Blending Modes
- To achieve a better visual effect, set the blending mode of the solid layer to 'Screen' and adjust the text layer’s blending mode to 'Multiply.'

And there you have it! You’ve successfully created a stunning text animation using the SABER plugin in After Effects. If you found this tutorial helpful, please like, share, and subscribe for more content. Thank you for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video!

Keywords

After Effects
SABER plugin
Video Copilot
Text animation
Neon glow effects
Blending modes
Visual effects
Customization
Keyframes

FAQ

Q1: What is the SABER plugin?
A1: The SABER plugin is a free tool from Video Copilot used to create various visual effects like neon glow, light trails, and fire effects in Adobe After Effects.

Q2: How do I create a new composition in After Effects?
A2: To create a new composition, open After Effects, navigate to the composition panel, name your composition, and set the desired resolution before clicking 'OK'.

Q3: Can I change the glow color of the text in SABER?
A3: Yes! You can easily change the glow color by clicking on the color setting in the Effect Controls panel and selecting your preferred color.

Q4: What are blending modes in After Effects?
A4: Blending modes in After Effects determine how layers interact with one another visually when stacked. They can be used to create various effects and enhance your design.

Q5: Where can I download the SABER plugin?
A5: The SABER plugin can be downloaded from the Video Copilot website, and a link is typically provided in tutorial descriptions.