Amateurmedia.net has some terrific type-based Cinema 4D tutorials.

In this two-part tutorial learn how to take basic Adobe After Effects presets and customise them to create your own unique looks. This section focusses on giving a simple text preset a touch-of-class, with a clear explanation of Text Animator Groups, Animator Properties and Range Selectors. Turning a simple typewriter look into something much more special. Watch Example | Watch Tutorial [Read more]

In this Adobe After Effects walkthrough learn how Red Giant Holomatrix was used to give grungy 3D text a dynamic sci-fi look. Grab a 10% discount over at Red Giant Software using this code “motionworks10”.

Watch tutorial (14min, 42MB)

I picked up this book recently and highly recommend it if you want to learn more about font selection, colour selection and type design and layout. Although print and web focussed, it is still highly relevant for motion graphics and contains instruction and inspiration for all designers. Also check out before and after magazine for a series of handy design articles.

A fancy disco ball created entirely within Adobe After Effects. Read more & download project

Motion Sketch is one of those Adobe After Effects tools that is often forgotten (at least by me) but is still a handy addition to the After Effects toolset. In this quick tip we look at how you can use Motion Sketch to add natural, organic motion to your layers.  Watch tip (7 mins)

In this recorded version of a recent Adobe E-seminar we walk through After Effects techniques and workflow for creating a grungy and moody boxing promo. Techniques include color grading for a poster-style look, creating an old, weathered look using stock images and blend modes and tips and tricks for creating organic looks.
Watch tutorial (52mins, 77MB)   Watch Promo

In this video tip learn how to work faster and smarter when using duplicated text layers. [Read more]

Here are a couple of Form experiments. Both use the String settings; one for an amorphous background element and the other for an interesting text reveal. Click the thumbnail for large images.  Download Project

In the final part of this series learn how to use After Effects’ Color Link effect to integrate the can into the background, work with various Layer Styles, create a 3D text animation and add other finishing touches.   Watch tutorial

Text Anarchy includes the GridSquares and GridLines effects, previously part of Digital Anarchy’s Geomancy. In this tutorial you’ll learn the basics of using these surprisingly useful particle effects.

Watch tutorial

Often when creating grungy styles I resort to stock imagery, as is the case with this weathered metal look. The base for the look is a metal texture, heavily treated in Photoshop, with an After Effects comp combining Roughen Edges and Fractal Noise for blotches and scratches. You’ll also notice I’ve color corrected the Text comp inside the Main comp to help it sit better with the background. The background was created by combining a couple of stock footage layers, which have been replaced in the download with a rendered still. Download Project

Here is the After Effects project for Unbreakable. The look is based on graphics from the original movie trailer; read the Gallery post for more details.

Gallery post   Download project

Text Anarchy is a particle generator specifically for text that allows you to create some pretty detailed text-based looks very quickly. In this tutorial you’ll learn the basics of using two of the key effects: Text Matrix and Text Grid.  Watch tutorial

This look is based on graphics from the original trailer for “Untraceable”. The base is a simple static fractal noise layer and scan lines created using the Venetian Blinds effect. The binary code is a field of custom Particular particles with a camera fly through. A nice addition – courtesy of a funky Maltaannon expression – cycles the one’s and zero’s randomly. [Read more]

Here’s an Adobe Photoshop file containing a nice beveled-gold layer layer style.

Download project

This type look is based on graphics from the trailer for Premonition. The background is some stock smoke footage with soft feathered masks and the Wave Warp effect. Replace the text in the “text” comp and adjust the range settings for the text — POSITION 1 for the top line and POSITION 2 for the bottom line.  Watch movie   Download project

This project uses a simple index expression to offset the text layers and nulls to control the distribution using Expression Control sliders. This allows them to be freely distributed with one null while setting keyframes for Y-Position and Rotation with another.  Download project

This grungy, metallic look was created using a combination of Gradient Overlay (Layer Style), Roughen Edges and Fractal Noise. The animation was created using Per-character 3D text for a sci-fi feel.

Watch movie  Download project

This ghostly, glowing type has a 3D text layer revealed using masks, blurred and stacked then mixed using blend modes. Setting the project to 32bpc and using the Exposure effect on an Adjustment Layer blows out the whites. The Displacement Map effect combined with Fractal Noise adds a subtle warp. Watch movie   Download project

This background uses a dingbat font as the base graphic and can be customised simply by changing the font inside the Text comp. In this case I’ve used VTMeiOrnaments, but you can try any number of different dingbats or text fonts for different looks. The Text comp has been duplicated and offset in time with various effects applied.  Download project

The look where text seemingly writes itself onto the screen is popular and there are many different ways of approaching it. In this written tutorial learn how to create precise handwritten text in After Effects by preparing the text in Photoshop first. Watch movie  View tutorial