Skip to main content
_
_Will_Geddes_
Participant
December 2, 2008
Question

Splitting type into individual letters?

  • December 2, 2008
  • 8 replies
  • 44373 views
Is there a fast way to split type into individual letters? I wanted to do a manual "unfolding" effect of a sentence, as I find it much more powerful to control than the per-letter 3d effect.

basically i had to lay out the sentence one letter at a time, and it would have been nice to just write the sentence and then divide it into individual letters, the way you can do in Flash.

as an example, check out this project on Vimeo: http://www.vimeo.com/2409242
it's the text effect that happens 7 seconds in. i split the layers to have more control, but i had to line the letters up individually because i couldn't just break apart the sentence.

      8 replies

      tutkut28614458
      tutkut28614458
      Known Participant
      October 8, 2025

       

      Here's a handy tool that might help you with that
      https://motionape.notion.site/Split-Text-Object-281b2a6858f8806b8867fa032f4e01a8

      A
      Anonymous
      December 3, 2008
      Wow Andrew,

      That's a great tip! Thanks!
      X
      XxMontyxX
      Participant
      December 3, 2008
      Fantastic idea Andrew!! Thanks for that.
      Mylenium
      Mylenium
      Legend
      December 3, 2008
      >only have CS3: i can convert to a shape, but can I break this shape
      >apart?

      You could duplicate the layer as often as needed and delete the unwanted paths...

      Mylenium
      Andrew Yoole
      Andrew Yoole
      Inspiring
      December 3, 2008
      If they must be on separate layers, and you don't mind them being paths/shapes, the easiest way is to use Illustrator.

      Create your text, convert to paths with Text/Create Outlines, then select the new layer group and choose "Release To Layers (Sequence). This will place every character into a new layer.

      Import to AE as a comp and you're done.
        A
        Anonymous
        February 27, 2013

        (Sorry, I know I am resurrecting and an oldie, but it's a goodie   ...)

        Hmmm ... I tried following your directions Andrew, but after importing into AE, the text is still all on one layer.  I am importing it as a Comp (like you said), but the comp just has a single Illustrator .ai layer.  I tried saving as an Illustrator PDF, then importing that as Comp ... no dice.

        Any idea what I might be doing wrong?

        Thanks!

        -Tim

        EDIT:  FIGURED OUT THE ISSUE:  I didn't realize Ai was putting them in a sub (really a sub-sub) layer.  I just had to grab all the letter layers and move them above the container layer(s).  Then deleted those container layers, and saved as an .ai file.  Now upon import I get the options (and of course, the layers.)

          A
          Aaron Cobb
          Inspiring
          December 3, 2008
          Layer->Create Outlines will get you a shape layer with the individual character shapes all neatly grouped and labeled.

          Of course, I would think 3D text animators would be the most flexible way to approach this, but to each his own.
          _
          _Will_Geddes_Author
          Participant
          December 2, 2008
          i only have CS3: i can convert to a shape, but can I break this shape apart?
          X
          XxMontyxX
          Participant
          December 2, 2008
          In CS4 you have the option to break letters into shapes or masks and you can animate these, copying them onto separate layers if you want 3D control. Don't forget to center the orientation of the letter layers before you animate.
          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices