How To Easily Make Text Tracking Animation in After Effects

Wondering how to create smooth text that follows moving objects in your videos? No matter if you're working on a project for fun or business, learning After Effects track text can take your videos to the next level.

This powerful tool lets you attach text, logos, or graphics to any moving object in your footage. But is it too complex for your needs? Luckily, there's a simpler alternative. Wondershare Filmora makes motion-tracking text easy and beginner-friendly.

This guide will break down the After Effects and Filmora processes so you can choose the best tool for your project. Ready to improve your video editing skills? Let's get started!

Motion Tracking Text in After Effects

Motion tracking in After Effects lets you add text, logos, or graphics to moving objects in your video. It helps create dynamic visuals by ensuring the text follows the motion of things like cars, people, or other elements. This feature enhances storytelling.

Key features of motion tracking text animations:

• Tracking Methods: After Effects provides various tracking options, including motion tracking, point tracking, and planar tracking. Experiment with different methods to find the best fit for your project
• Parent Pick Whip: Use the Parent Pick Whip to link the text layer to the object you want to track. This creates a connection so the text seamlessly moves with the tracked object
• Null Objects: Null objects act as invisible layers that help control and organize your animations. Connect the text layer to a null object to precisely adjust and refine the motion
• 3D Text: Create 3D text layers and animate them in 3D space for added depth and perspective. The Cinema 4D Renderer in After Effects enables remarkable dimensionality for 3D text animations

Now that you know what motion tracking text is in After Effects. Next, let's learn how to create After Effects motion track text.

Part 1. How to Create Text Track in After Effects?

Level up your video projects with text tracking in After Effects. Text tracking lets you easily add dynamic text to your videos, making your content more creative and engaging. This guide will show you easy steps to create an After Effects text track that can unlock the full potential of your video.

Step 1: Set Up Composition

Open After Effects and click "New Composition" under "Composition." Set the resolution and duration.

Set the resolution and duration.

Step 2: Import and Add Video

Go to "File > Import > File" to bring in your video.

Drag your video file to the timeline.

Step 3: Manage Vidoe Length

Press Alt/Option + [ or Alt/Option + ] to change the length of the video layer in your composition.

Step 4: Add Text Layer

Press Ctrl/Cmd + T to use the Text Tool. Type your text onto the composition.

Step 5: Customize Text

In the Character and Paragraph panels, select the text layer and adjust the font, size, color, and alignment.

Step 6: Pre Compose Video Layer

Right-click on the video layer and choose "Pre-compose."

Step 7: Track Motion

Open the Tracker panel.

Select "Track Motion."

Place the track point on the object.

Press the spacebar to start the analysis.

Step 8: Apply Tracking Data

Click "Edit Target" and select your text layer.

Press "Apply" and choose X and Y for the dimensions.

Step 9: Adjust the Anchor Point

Use the Pan Behind Tool (Y) to center the text layer's anchor point.

Step 10: Preview Your Project

Preview your project to check if the text tracking works correctly. Follow these steps to successfully create text tracking in After Effects.

That's all about creating an After Effects animated text tracking. However, if you find it a bit difficult, worry not! We will discuss an easier solution in the next part.

Part 2. The Best Alternative to After Effects to Motion Track Text

Looking for an easy way to motion-track text? Wondershare Filmora's motion tracking feature seamlessly lets you attach text to moving objects.

stick text to moving object created by Filmora

It enhances videos by allowing the text to follow objects throughout the scene. In this way, it adds a professional touch. With Filmora, motion-tracking text looks smooth and natural. Thus making it a great alternative to After Effects.

This feature is efficient, helping you create dynamic visuals that keep viewers' attention. Whether for titles, captions, or labels, motion tracking with Filmora ensures your text stays perfectly aligned with the action in your videos.

It's an ideal tool for creative video projects that require motion-based text.

Features Related to Filmora's Motion Tracking Text

The following features of Filmora make it the best alternative to After Effects track text.

• Precise Motion Tracking: Filmora's motion tracking feature is accurate. It follows the selected object smoothly, ensuring the text stays connected to the movement.
• Multiple Text Options: You can add different types of text, like titles or captions, to objects. Filmora offers various text styles for creative freedom.
• Real-Time Preview: Filmora allows a real-time preview of motion-tracking text. You can see the effect immediately and make changes if needed.
• Smooth Text Movement: The text moves naturally with the object, giving it a professional look. Filmora ensures fluid motion tracking.
• Adjustable Tracking Points: You can adjust the tracking points easily. This feature helps you refine the tracking for better accuracy.

Step-by-Step Guide to Motion Tracking with Text in Filmora

Step 1. Firstly, install Filmora, launch it, and log in to register your account in the main window.

Step 2. Choose a New Project and select your video aspect ratio.

Step 3. Choose File > Import Media to upload the video you want to edit. Then, drag it to the timeline.

Step 4. Choose the video in the timeline and select Video > AI Tools from the editing menu.

Step 5. Enable Motion Tracking and tap on the Start Motion Track.

Step 6. To add text, click Titles and select the title style you want. Next, drag and drop the text above the video track in the timeline.

Step 7. Make your text stand out by Adjusting the position, size, font, colors, and more.

Step 8. Choose the motion-tracking clip in the timeline. Then, on the right-hand side, expand the Link Element dropdown box.

Step 9. Select the object to track in your video and ensure you encompass it completely.

Preview the video to check the motion tracking. If needed, make changes or adjustments. Once happy with it, export the video and save it to your device.

So far, we have discussed both tools for motion tracking text: After Effects and Filmora. You might be confused about which one you should choose. In the following section, let's make selecting the right tool easy.

Filmora VS. After Effects: Who's the Best for Creating a Text Motion Tracking

Make Text Tracking Effect in Filmora

• User-Friendly Interface: Filmora is designed for ease of use, making it accessible for beginners and casual users. Its motion tracking feature allows users to easily track moving objects and attach text or graphics to them with just a few clicks.
• Motion Tracking Tool: Filmora's motion tracker intelligently analyzes the movement of objects in the video, enabling users to pin text to follow the motion seamlessly. This is particularly useful for creating call-out titles or highlighting key information in a video.
• Built-in Effects: Filmora provides various built-in effects and graphics that can be easily integrated with motion tracking, enhancing the visual appeal without needing extensive editing skills
• Step-by-Step Process: The process to add motion-tracked text is straightforward:

• Track the moving object.
• Add a title from the Titles menu.
• Link the text to the tracked object.
• Preview and adjust as necessary.

Make Text Tracking Effect in After Effects

After Effects is a professional-grade software known for its robust animation and visual effects capabilities. It offers more advanced tools for motion tracking, including detailed keyframe adjustments and complex animations.

To summarize, Filmora is the better choice for creating text motion tracking if you're a beginner or looking for an easy-to-use solution with AI-powered tracking and built-in effects.

On the other hand, Adobe After Effects offers more advanced tracking options and greater creative control over text animations, making it ideal for professionals and complex projects. The choice depends on your expertise level, project requirements, and budget.

How Do I Create Text that Follows a Moving Object in After Effects?

Follow the below steps to create text that follows a moving object in After Effects.

Step 1. Firstly, click the "T" button in the toolbar to select the text tool. You can apply the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Shift + T (Win) or Command + Option + Shift + T (Mac).

Step 2. Click anywhere within the composition window to add a new text layer.

Step 3. Repeat the steps to add more text in After Effects. After adding the text layer, customize it using the formatting options. You can change color, font, size, color, and alignment.

Step 4. In After Effects, use the text animator to add movement or effects to your text. Select your text layer, then go to Animation > Animate Text.

Step 5. Choose from different animation options like position, scale, or rotation to customize your text. To add a stroke, right-click the text layer and go to "Layer Styles." Click "Stroke" to add an outline. Plus, you can add a drop shadow for a 3D effect.

Now that you know how to add text in After Effects. Next, let's discuss some best practices to get the best results while motion-tracking text in After Effects.

What Are the Best Practices for Optimizing Motion-Tracking Text in After Effects?

The following tips will help you optimize motion tracking in After Effects.

• Use High-Quality Footage: Ensure your video is clear and stable for better tracking accuracy. Blurry or shaky footage can cause the tracking to lose focus on the object, leading to poor results. Higher resolution also helps in capturing more details.
• Choose Clear Tracking Points: For more reliable tracking, pick objects with strong contrast and clear edges. Objects that blend into the background may confuse the tracking tool. So, selecting points that stand out visually is best.
• Adjust the Tracking Points: Refine tracking points as needed to improve precision. If the motion tracking isn't smooth, manually adjust the points during the tracking process to keep the text aligned with the object.
• Keep Text Simple: Use simple fonts and colors that don't distract from the video. Avoid overly complex or decorative text, as it can make the motion-tracking look messy and harder to follow.
• Preview and Adjust: Always preview the motion tracking and make adjustments if necessary. Watch the full effect in real time and tweak the settings to ensure everything looks smooth and well-synced.
• Avoid Overcomplicating the Motion: For a professional look, stick to smooth and natural movements. Adding too many complex movements can make the text difficult to read and break the flow of the video.

Conclusion

This article explored how to create text-tracking animations using After Effects and Wondershare Filmora. Undoubtedly, After Effects offers powerful tools for professionals. But its complexity may not suit everyone.

Filmora stands out as the best alternative to After Effects track text. It is perfect for its user-friendly interface and precise motion-tracking features. It's ideal for beginners or those seeking a simpler solution to add dynamic text to videos.

Filmora provides everything you need for an easy and efficient way to motion-track text. Whether you want smooth motion or customizable text styles, Filmora delivers quality results. Give it a try, and elevate your video projects with professional-looking motion-tracked text.