Text Explosion Keyframe

[PaCMaYNE]

Yellow fellas,

I am trying to add the explosion text effect, but not until a certain frame (ie-45) on the timeline. I figured you would have to pick a spot on the timeline then add as a keyframe but I cant figure out how to do it, or if thats even the way. As soon as you apply the text effect it starts from frame 1 and the only thing you can change is when the animation or effect ends. THIS SEEMS SO SIMPLE but is irritating the hell out of me. If anyone has any insight let me know, I appreciate it.

Jeff

[Ron P.]

Hello Jeff,
It irritated me too, cause it is easier then we think it should be.
Apply your explosion effect to your text. Then in the timeline, on the explosion effect you'll see 3 icons, a red line with dots, an eye, and a tack. Click on the red line, which if you mouse over it the tool tip tells you it is the "Plug in mask". Now you will see a red line go across the time line. Simply drag the left end (which is on frame 1) to the frame where you want the effect to start. You can also drag the right end to adjust where you want the effect to stop.

Hope that helps

Regards
Ron

[PaCMaYNE]

actually I tried that, didnt really mention it in the post though. It seemed that wherever I would drag the mask to, it would start where I wanted it, but it would start already in progress. For example, lets say I started the mask on frame 30 of 60 frames, the animation for the explosion starts from frame 1 when you apply it. If i put the mask on and start at from fram 30 to 60, the explosion animation SHOWS on 30 to 60 but it doesnt start on 30, it starts in progress like the animation started on 1 but doesnt show till 30. So i have like 3 letters gone by the time the animation starts. Heres an example of something I just made quickly, I want the explosion to start after everything is done moving around, but it seems more dofficult than its worth. http://media.putfile.com/rurpsmaller

[PaCMaYNE]

The more i try to figure this out the more I think I realize its not possible. I mean this means pretty much, I cannot have any text animation without starting the animation from frame 1. Like if I wanted to bump the text out of the screen after lets say it moved across the screen, I could mask the "bump" until i wanted it, but the bump would still be in progress while the text was moving, so when I unmasked it, it would already be in mid animation.

This isnt as important, but is it possible to move the camera view as a keyframe, from like front view to top view, without having to rotate the objects. Maybe im getting to advanced for the prog.

Thanks, Jeff

[PaCMaYNE]

triple post i know, but i figured it out, and it WAS simple, i guess i was thinking too in depth

keyframe 2 then move as desired..wow


if anyone knows about the camera though let me know..thanks