Signature & Custom Brush Tip
Avoid common problems when creating a signature effect by customizing your brush tip, and learn how to create the effect itself.
If you ever tried to animate a signature than you probably know, that when it’s more complex shape than just a simple line, you can run into some troubles. This tutorial will show you, how you can avoid them by customizing the brush tip. The whole idea is to use Paint effect instead of Stroke.
And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, just see the tutorial and learn how to create a signature effect. Enjoy.
Download Project File: Signature.zip (After Effects 7 Pro)






Very nice tank´s - Muito bom é fácil obrigado!!!!!
Genevaldo-Brasil_MG said this August 31st, 2007 at 21:32
I’m new to AE, so thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge..! One question, if you have time to answer… Would it be possible to create an exact mask by selecting the shape of the signature, using Photoshop, and then import that mask..?
Thanks again :)
Frederik said this October 1st, 2007 at 10:12
Sure. If you’re going to do it in Photoshop the good thing would also be to paint the mask as a gradient and then do Gradient Wipe in After Effects.
Maltaannon said this October 1st, 2007 at 10:18
Nice thing about this one is not the purpose it self but the basic technique which is explained here :)
Tobias said this October 22nd, 2007 at 15:47
I think the it would be easier to just keyframe the brushsize while using the strokeeffect. If you set keyframes where det brushtip needs to get smaller and then another keyframe where it needs to get bigger again. Then just set them to roving keyframes to keep the same speed.
But nice tutorial! I just started with after effects about 2 months ago and thanks to you, creative cow and videocopilot Ive been getting into it quickly! It was pretty easy though since I already know both PS and Premiere. But still, your tutorials are great!
Pigeon said this December 23rd, 2007 at 13:55
Well i did the same as Pigeon said, but this is also a good way to do it.
Bob said this February 29th, 2008 at 15:21
It’s just that I hate keyframes :) Besides, is the angle of the brush is constant i think that’s the way it should look. But hay… any of the ways that gets the job done is good.
Maltaannon said this February 29th, 2008 at 18:15
which is better MOTION 3 or AE..i think motion 3 has unique and versatile PAINT effects..
nitin said this April 12th, 2008 at 12:29
Motion 3 can be good in the future. Now use After Effects.
poko said this April 17th, 2008 at 17:48