Splitting type into individual letters?

[_Will_Geddes_]

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.

[XxMontyxX]

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.

[_Will_Geddes_]

i only have CS3: i can convert to a shape, but can I break this shape apart?

[Aaron Cobb]

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.

[Andrew Yoole]

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.

[Guest]

(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.)

[Mylenium]

>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

[XxMontyxX]

Fantastic idea Andrew!! Thanks for that.

[Guest]

Wow Andrew,

That's a great tip! Thanks!