Pen Tool Tips: Tracing Text in After Effects

Adobe After Effects CC 2023: Pen Tool Tips for Tracing Text

Description:
This tutorial will show you some tips and tricks for using the Pen Tool to trace letters in Adobe After Effects CC 2023.

Keyboard Shortcuts:
F2: Deselect All
G: Pen Tool
Shift + Click: Deselect Path Vertex (this is the trick and key to entire tutorial)

Font Used in Tutorial:
https://fonts.google.com/?query=londrina

Chapters:
00:00  Intro: About This Tutorial
00:12  Select Pen Tool (G)
00:39  Click To Add Points & Make Lines
01:11  How To Move To Another Letter
01:40  The Trick (Shift + Click on Selected Vertex)
01:56  Crossing the Letter H
02:27  Draw Out The Letter E
02:51  Make Adjustments To Paths

How To Add Text Layer

1. 1. Open New Composition
   2. Click on T to add Text
   3. Use Properties Panel to change Font & Size
   4. Select Text with Selection Tool (V)
   5. Use Align Panel to center text in Composition

Add Text Layer

1. 1. Open New Composition
   2. Click on T to add Text
   3. Use Properties Panel to change Font & Size
   4. Select Text with Selection Tool (V)
   5. Use Align Panel to center text in Composition

How To Use Pen Tool To Trace Over Text by creating Lines:

1. 1. Deselect All Layers (F2)
   2. Select Pen Tool (G) in the top tool bar.
   3. Click Fill Color and set to None
   4. Click color swatch for Stroke and pick a color
   5. Change Stroke Width to desired amount (I used 5px in tutorial)
   6. Click to add a point
   7. Click again to add line

How To Change Directions with Pen Tool (Such as crossing the letter H):

1. 1. Draw a line with Pen Tool
   2. Press the Shift Key
   3. Click on the selected Vertex/Point/Node (square with color fill)
   4. Move to new place where you want to draw another line
   5. Click to add points

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