replace animation

[Guest]

hello,

I want to replace a face on a video by this (or something similar) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmfzfBsV_8E

regards

[Kyle Hamrick]

Since this is made of flat colors, and the elements you're replacing don't move, it should be pretty straightforward. 

You can create a white solid and use masking to cover up the areas you're wanting to replace. Alternatively, you could use the pen tool to create a shape layer with a custom path that accomplishes the same. 
Create your new face using the tools of your choice and position it as desired. 

If you're wanting to change the "hat" that overlaps the text on the right side, you're probably better off just remaking the thing from scratch at that point. 

Let us know if you need further guidance. You should be able to search for some of the terms above to help find more specific tutorials on using them if needed.

[Guest]

I never said the elements to replace did not move, it's a face, so it's in a video

- how do I track the face so I dont do this frame by frame ?

- how do I create that sort of animation (I know how to do this in blender, but not in AE)

- the animation is an example, I'll do my own animation (in ghost in the shell, all faces are replaced by that animation in all surveilance camera videos - https://youtu.be/gFUWmoXf-2M?t=5)

regards

[Kyle Hamrick]

Ok. You're looking at a handful of different techniques here.

As you should expect from working in Blender, these programs tend to be a little complicated, so I can't just give you a one-click solution here.

It sounds like you could really benefit from brushing up on the basics (https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/tutorials.html). I think you'll find most of the techniques you'll need in these lessons. Let us know if you need some more help after you get those under your belt.

[Guest]

ok thanks, I'll check it out

[Guest]

ok so I have followed a couple of tutorials

please delete this post, there is no f@#king delete button

[Guest]

about templates, I guess I'd have to use expressions, but there are no text expressions controls in the effect menu and I want to be able to parametrize the imported composition text

[Kyle Hamrick]

Do you have the design that you're looking to use? I see nothing above that would require expressions. I'm not really understanding what you're asking here.

[Guest]

you see the text around the head, it's rotating, what if I want to make many videos with different texts ? or a video with many animations like that (centered around a couple of faces) with different texts

I watched videos talking about templates using "expression controls" but there aint none allowing to use text expressions

[Kyle Hamrick]

After Effects text layers are fully editable, so you can set this up once and then change the text as desired.

You'll create a text layer and type what you want to see. Use the mask shape tool to create a circular mask on that text layer. Look under the text options within that layer for Path Options - you'll see a dropdown to apply the text to that path. You can either rotate the layer, or use the First/Last Margin properties to advance the text along the circle.

Different face options sounds like an opportunity for using precomps, or nested compositions. 

There's only so much I/we can talk you through here, especially when it seems clear you're still needing to get a firm grip on the basics. Taking you through it step-by-step is nearly impossible without a clearer understanding of your end goals, and ultimately you won't really learn anything that way. I've outlined the steps for the text-on-path above because that part's a bit less intuitive, and because your question makes me question if you understand that AE text is editable. 

Watch the tutorials at that link (and perhaps some others - there are nearly limitless ones avaiable) and get a handle on the basics ... then you can start posting work-in-progress screenshots if you're getting stuck on specific steps. We're happy to help, but we can't do your project for you. 

Focus on creating the animated face w circling text first. 

Facial tracking will require different techniques, but should be pretty straightforward after a few tutorials on the subject. You'll be applying the face (likely as an animated precomp) over the faces you track. 

[Guest]

Hi Kyle,

thanks for your precious help, I tried organizing my answers/questions

A) wip's

is there a way to upload my AE files ? in case I cant figure how to accomplish something in AE ?

B) precomps

ok thanks, at least I know there are "precomps" available, I'll check these out

C) expressions

maybe I dont understand Expression Controls, I saw someone using them here https://youtu.be/yu_Pppwg9Q0?t=332 and they look really handy shorctucts to object properties

so, having ANY TYPE of expression control EXCEPT TEXT ?? I mean why ? why allowing shortcuts (expressions) to any sort of property... but text ???

you say it's becos text are editable in layers, ... so are other properties (as far as I understand)