Reverse Shatter
Learn how to use Illustrator to break up a layer into pieces. Use expressions to automatically make the pieces move randomly into place. Click here to view the expression used.
97 Responses to “Reverse Shatter”
Learn how to use Illustrator to break up a layer into pieces. Use expressions to automatically make the pieces move randomly into place. Click here to view the expression used.
97 Responses to “Reverse Shatter”
Hey, thank you for the google search tip. My composition is just as big as the text, so i was wondering if i have done something wrong???
I think this is a CS4 thing. Just re-adjust your composition settings (Composition > Composition Settings…) to the resolution that you want.
I’m French, please give me a tips for reduce a composition at 6 second Thank you for help
I think i have just set my composition by ajust. Why i don’t work.
please help me
because when i set my composition my animation don’t finish.
I am not sure of your actual question, Cedric. Do you need to lengthen your composition? Go to Compostion > Composition Settings.. and change the duration of the composition.
i just like, the composition was more longer jsut shortly maybe 5 second and at the time the most best time is 13 second. And when i ajust my time composition in composion setting this animation not finish.
where can i find the wall texture ?? =)
I don’t even remember where I found it. Often, I check on Flickr (using an advanced search) for textures that allow Creative Commons usage.
You can find a wide range of textures at cgtextures.com
I have also created a tutorial on where to find great, free, high-quality images. You can view it here:
http://vimeo.com/4686298
Happy After Effecting!
How would you cut the text up in photoshop?
Thanks,
You could use the Polygon Lasso tool and use shift + command + J (shift + control + J in Windows) to duplicate that selection to a new layer.
Very cool way of randomizing the animation. It puts a new twist on things. In the past, I’ve animated the position, and rotation properties of 1 layer, then used index to have all the layers look at the one on top of them, to animate. Its pretty easy, and you only animate 1 layer, essentially what you’ve done here. I’ve also set up slider controls to ease in and out of the animation and be able to adjust the value’s at any given time.
However, I really like this randomization and I learned some new things I did not know before. I think in a sense this may work better.
Very nice.
Thanks.
hello there,
i have tried this effect in my composition, actually i am making a broken wall(many shapes) and then revert to solid wall, so the thing is i dont want the shapes in arranged layer order (index), i want random layers.
Is there any change in script? Can you email me the script
Also post some more tuts and projects
, they are very helpfull
Thanks!
You could just randomize the layer order. Too many layers?
Hello Harry,
while trying to follow the tutorial I came across an issue of layer order in AFx: it imports the Illustrator file ruining the layer order for some reason.
Say, there are 105 pieces -> layers in AI.
The imported comp starts with layer 36 to 67, then Layer 6 comes. Then 68, 7, 69, 8..
Is it a bug or a feature? What’s the best way to resort the layers?
Sergei, It’s worked for me when I’ve tested it on CS3 and CS4 on Mac OS and Windows. If you are having different results, it’s a matter of figuring out what is going on with your computer, or your process.
Are you using type or a logo? What version are you running?
great tutorial. i’m very new to AE and i’m very pleased with how mine turned out. lemme know what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FBcLKJMpj4
Excellent Tut Harry, can’t wait to try this out on something! Great use of expressions!
Hi Harry
and thanks for this nice tutorial, your whole site and for sharing all that knowledge. Love your way of explaining stuff, I learn a lot here.
Anyways, I got one problem:
When put my shattered comp in a new comp, collapse it, turn it into 3d and add a light, which casts shadows, all those little lines from cutting up the type, which we adressed by using the alpha add blend mode, turn up again. As soon as I turn the collapse switch of, the lines are gone, but with them the shadows. Am I missing something?
Thanks again and keep em coming
martin
how would i apply this to a 3d cube in after effects?
i love this tutorial btw!
@Timmy. I’m not sure what you mean. What kind of 3D cube? AE in itself cannot really create a 3D cube, other than with individual solids, or with 3rd party support. Do you mean with simple solid layers?
I love your tutorial and im doing it!
5/5 ^^,
I have a question if you don’t mind, How can i shorten it to like 5secs? Cause its duration are more than 15secs and i only want my introduction to just 10-15secs. Where will i change that? Thanks men!
)
love your tutorial and im doing it!
5/5 ^^,
I have a question if you don’t mind, How can i shorten it to like 5secs? Cause its duration are more than 15secs and i only want my introduction to just 10-15secs. Where will i change that? Thanks men! )
Easiest way…. this is what I did for the final render… is to use Time Remapping to speed things up.
Ok men thanks!~ It really help, your tuts are great, nicely done. 5/5 ^_^
How do you use the knife tool on an image instead of text? Sorry, I’m such a noob at this.
The knife tool works with vectors, not images. You could vectorize the image, but as far as I understand, the layer order is random.
Thanks for a great tutorial. Somewhat new to AE, so apologies if this is dumb. I’m having 2 problems: the first is the same as Martin–when I place the comp with all the layers into a new comp and collapse the transformations, all of the anti-aliased gaps reappear. My other problem is in rendering: it displays the animation when I scrub through the timeline, but either pre-rendering in AE or rendering out to QT don’t show the animation at all. Using the default render settings. Thanks for your help.
Sam, I’ve noticed that after placing an effect on that comp, the gaps do appear, as the effect changes the alpha edges. Maybe try Matte > Simple Choker? Try a negative value to expand the matte backwards.
As for the rendering, not sure.. too many unknowns. Can you render to anything else, like an image sequence?
Still haven’t figured out the gaps reappearing problem, but did adjust my Illustrator document, which fixed the non-rendering issue. Originally I was working with a print Illustrator document. Copying all the slices into a new video profiled document worked, for some reason. Points versus pixels?
Wow nice tut!
but what tipe of machine have you used?
an iMac a Macbook or a Mac Pro?
i want to know its components so i can buy it
(sorry for my bad english)
I did this tutorial on a smaller MacBook. My main machine is a Dual Quad Core 3.0 Mac with 12GB of RAM. I’ll be upgrading my laptop to an i7 Mac Book Pro soon.
yeah good tut. but u need to explain more. im stuck on the expression bit. i press p on it the position thing pops up and u just click and stuff and it comes up. u didnt explain how you did that! could you please tell me im stuck! thanks!
I can explain more, but I am not sure what you are asking. What point in the tutorial are you not understanding?
hi im 14 and a beginner and i just got after effects and illustrator and i cant seem to do this right do you have any tutorials for beginners to learn the basic tools and options in after effects?
You can cut up shapes easily in AE with the following script (Masks to Layers), free download from AE Scripts.
http://aescripts.com/maskstolayers/
Enjoy!
Dom
Motion Graphics Artist
The Mill
London
Showreel: http://vimeo.com/9967557
I think time remapping is the only option with this.. which is why I like this technique here. I just wish it could be more 3D. Maybe using ProAnimator?
Honestly, it was a random discovery that it even worked in the right order with outlined type. Bummer that it doesn’t work with logos. I am setting up a template that uses masks in AE so one can drop any object in AE and have it work.
I am freelancing in a facility running CS4 right now. I just ran a quick test.
1. In AI CS4 I typed the word “test”.
2. Created outlines.
3. Knifed the layer as I did in the tutorial.
4. Released to layers.
5. Moved the layers out of the group as I did in the tutorial.
6. Saved.
7. Imported into AE CS4.
All layers are in tact, and are proper layer size. You are right in the fact that CS4 now does not retain the original dimensions from the AI document. However, the layers are proper dimensions as in the tutorial.
If you’d like, email your AI document and I can take a look at it. harry at graymachine.com