Working with masks in text layers

You can apply masks to text layers as you would any other layer in After Effects. Once you create a mask in a text layer, you can make the text follow the mask as a path--you can then animate the text along that path, or animate the path itself. In addition, you can easily create masks from each text character by using the Create Outlines command.

If you want to export text layers to Macromedia Flash (.swf) format, use the Create Outlines command on all text layers first.

Related Subtopics:

Creating masks from text characters
Creating and animating text on a path