Cut-out text layer

[Bluewave07]

Hey guys,
This is probably an easy question, but it's sort of hard to explain.

I'm trying to create a logo. In this logo I want the name of my production company to show, then instead of a colored font I want a picture to make up the font. I know usually you could simply find the picture, copy it, then use the "paste from" option to place it as the picture within the font.

However, I need this picture to move.

My thought was to somehow create a layer in photoshop with a black background and with a cut-out frame of my text. That way in After Effects I can import this layer, place a picture behind it, and keyframe it to move.

I can't figure out how to create this cut-out layer. If you can explain it that'd be great! I'm not very experienced either, so a detailed explanation would be appreciated!

Matt

 

[bherr]

Why not use an alpha mask in AE? You can make it in Photoshop.

 

[Bluewave07]

As I said I really am a beginner. What is the alpha mask tool?

 

[Matt Grunau]

If you are wanting the picture to move behind the text, and have the text "reveal" the picture as it is moving, you are going to need a program like After Effects. You could create the elements in Photoshop, but in this case, you really dont need to. Unless, you wanted to have a bevel or drop shadow on your text/picture.

I would take your pic, tweak it until it is as you want it in photoshop. Make the text white, just to keep things simple.

Bring your pic into After Effects and use the white text as a luma matte. If you don't have After Effects, you could do the same in Vegas, though you will have to include an alpha channel in you photoshop file or targa file and have vegas use that to show the pic moving. Basically, you will be using the white text as a luma matte as a layer mask in AE. Pretty simple stuff.

 

[Bluewave07]

Ahhh,
thats a great idea...so simple too. Thanks a lot!! (I do have AE as well, so this should work)\

 

[Hectorxd]

Hey
If that doesnt work you could just try using the magic eraser tool in photoshop on the letters. It reveals the alpha channel if you have one in the background. Than just key frame your picture in your editor. Dont see the need for AE on this one.
Brian

 

[NOMADIC]

for photoshop
1. New Canvas (select tranparent background)
2. Add layer, make this layer all black. (fill tool)
3. Select text tool, Type you name,whatever.
4. On the text layer, hold down apple (one of the bottomleft buttons on pc) click on the "T" on the text layer. this selects the text field
5. click on the black layer (in the layers viewer-thingy)
6. Press Delete.
7. Delete the Text layer.

I hope that help.