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Question

How do I make a "Write-on" line tail fade over time?

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
October 11, 2018
4 replies
2590 views

I have a Write-on line that is keyframed to move along a path and I have the Stroke Length set to 1 second to make the line disappear as it is being drawn. However, I would like it to fade out as it disappears throughout the duration of the path.

I have the line fading in as it begins and I have it fading out as it ends, but I would like to also have the fade during the path.

I see an option for Paint Time Properties > Opacity, which sounds like what I'm looking for, but I don't understand how to use it. Can anyone help me figure out how to do this please?

This topic has been closed for replies.

angie_taylor

Legend

As I said in the other question about this technique, the simplest method is to create your line animation using Write on and then add the Echo effect to it. Adjust the time to change the direction and spacing and adjust the composite options to set the fade duration etc.

Roland Kahlenberg

Legend

When the Paint Time Properties parameter is set to Opacity, you will have to keyframe the Brush Opacity property to see the brush's opacity change in opacity over time.

Very Advanced After Effects Training | Adaptive & Responsive Toolkits | Intelligent Design Assets (IDAs) | MoGraph Design System DEV

Mike_Abbott

Legend

Yes - but that opacity change doesn't 'travel' with the write on effect point - hence my ''wont work' conclusion above.

Roland Kahlenberg

Legend

Hi Roland, yes I understand that - but, if I'm reading the OP's post correctly, they want the fade to animate along with the movement of the effect point, which isn't possible with this basic setup.

Eg: let's say we have a 20cm long motion path that the write-on point is travelling along. I think the OP wants the fade point (0% opacity) to be a consistent distance (say 4cm) behing the the write-on point during animation - ie a faded travelling line.

With the standard set up above the keyframed fade point does not move - it's positioned relative to the path, not the write -on point.

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....anyway, I've now discovered that there is another thread with exactly this same title higher up the contents - from a 'different' user! And Angie has outlined the other option - a short line / dot + echo.

Hi Mike, I'm sorry for the strange reply - my message was incomplete. I was working across two apps and two Web Browsers.

Anyways ... I see your point on the opacity lagging the originating point, as a time variable, relative to the originating point - my solution provided for a fixed time. Well, at least we have two solutions. :-)

BTW, my solution also provides a solution to a long-time issue where users want/need a gradient along a path.

Very Advanced After Effects Training | Adaptive & Responsive Toolkits | Intelligent Design Assets (IDAs) | MoGraph Design System DEV

Mike_Abbott

Legend

Yes - Write-on / Time properties opacity sounds like it should do what you want - but it wont : (

A better approach would be to draw a mask for your path and use the Vegas effect with 1 segment and a longer length. Animate the rotation parameter to move the stroke along the line.

If that doesn't do it for you - let us know. There are a few other options eg: Echo effect. This is one of those odd 'should be much simpler than it is' tasks in AE.

jasontcox

Inspiring

Moving to the After Effects forum as this is an AE question.

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