Hey guys, I am in need of some quick help. I am trying to morph a gif file of the Chinese characters for Beijing to morph into normal text that is typed out to read "Beijing". Can anyone help me ASAP?
Re: Morphing an image into text by mark harvey on Oct 6, 2008 at 3:32:26 pm
Using the create outlines command in the layer window should allow you to convert the image to editable masks. From there, you would need to animate the mask points to make up the letters.
You may find it easier to start at the word, convert the word to outlines, and the animate that back to to the logo...you could then precompose this and time-reverse the animation....sometimes it is easier to animate backwards.
As I have not seen the chinese characters, it is hard for me to say how hard this will be.
Re: Morphing an image into text by Mike Park on Oct 6, 2008 at 6:24:18 pm
You might also want to try the "liquify" filter under the distort menu. You can key frame the distortions so you can push the characters and text together. I would apply the effect to both images. Set a key frame and move to the middle of the transition. Distort the first image to the halfway look of the shot. Next, set a key frame at the finish of the transition of the second clip. Then move to the middle of the transition and distort it to look like the first. Now, the first image will morph into the second in a more organic way. This will be a lot softer than using and animating masks. should be much quicker as well. Either method will work, just depends on the look you want.
Re: Morphing an image into text by Brett Triantafillou on Oct 6, 2008 at 6:34:38 pm
Well I tried it the first way and it wasnt coming out the way I had anticipated. Not to say that it wouldnt work but I am on a tight schedule with this. Although I did come up with something better so thank you.
I know that in flash you can tween objects but it has been a while since I used flash and I am a bit rusty. All in all thank you very much for the response and the help. This is why I love Creative Cow and its devoted and professional community.
So thank you both
Mark and Mike for the help. Im sure Ill have more questions.
Re: Morphing an image into text by Mike Park on Oct 6, 2008 at 7:04:58 pm
Just out of pure curiosity, could you post or link the images you are trying to put together. I would love to see what you are trying to do. I may have another suggestion, depending on the images.
Re: Morphing an image into text by Mike Park on Oct 7, 2008 at 4:33:02 pm
Brett,
I think I have gone above and beyond the call of duty on this one. (Actually, I just got carried away) If you have any questions, just post. The text and symbols are masks, with the B set with a few additional keyframes to make the transition smoother. The intermediate keyframes of the B are set to rove across time, so if you need to adjust the speed of the transition, simply select all of the end keyframes of all the masks at 7 seconds and move them closer or farther from the initial keyframes at 3 seconds. Also, note that the masks have a slight feather of 2 pix and have a slight glow applied to them. Please let me know what you think and how things turn out.
Re: Morphing an image into text by Brett Triantafillou on Oct 8, 2008 at 5:14:09 pm
Mike! Great Job man. Thanks for all of the help on that. Do mind if I use that for my project? I would never take from one artist and claim it as my own so I wanted to ask if you would be ok with it first. Ill give you credit for it any way I can. But yes you did go above and beyond and you came out with a fine piece.
Re: Morphing an image into text by Mike Park on Oct 8, 2008 at 9:48:52 pm
Brett,
You have my permission to use or alter the file anyway you see fit. I am happy to help. My main concern is that you understand what was done and why it worked. Ironically, I ended up using Mark's suggested method as it actually proved easier and cleaner. It was just a matter of altering the paths of the words to achieve the effect, The onlt trickt part was the B. I had to redraw the letter to get it to deform properly. I am glad it is of use to you and wish you luck on your project. My only request is that you let me see the finished project.
