Countdown Timer is a great way to start your video. You can download various Countdown Timer videos from YouTube but why not create your own when you can.
With this, you can create a Countdown video to celebrate the arrival of New Year.
It is very easy to create a Timer in After Effects. The duration of the Countdown Timer can vary from 10 to 0 or 1000000 to 0, depending on your choice.
Once you create the basic effect, you can customize it by adding backgrounds, effects, colors etc.
Above is an example where I used this technique to create a Countdown Timer which goes from 10 to 0.
Once I was done with the timer, i added a background and some shine effect on the numbers.
Creating A Countdown Timer in After Effects
To create a Countdown Timer,
- Create a new composition. After that, create a new Solid Layer. You can do so by going into Layer > New > Solid. Make sure the solid is exactly of your composition size.
- Now select the Solid Layer you just created and go into Effects > Text > Number. This will apply the Numbers plugin on the solid layer. We will be using this to create our Countdown Timer.
- When you click on Numbers, you will be prompted with a pop-up where you can choose a Font, Style, Alignment i.e. Left, Right or Center and Direction i.e. Horizontal or Vertical. Choose the appropriate settings and click on OK.
- You will see 0.000 in your composition. Now, we will alter few values under the settings panel of the Numbers plugin.
- Since we are creating a Counter Timer like 10,9,8,…and so on, we do not require the decimal values. So decrease the Decimal Places from 3 or any other value to 0 so that we get a whole number.
- Now, increase or decrease the size according to your need. You can also change the Fill Color to change the color of the Font.
- Now we will use the Value/Offset/Random Max value to create a Countdown. We are going to create a Timer that goes from 10 to 0.
- We will be using key frames to create the Timer. using the timeline slider, go to the frame from where you want the Countdown Timer to start.
- Now, click on the stopwatch at the Value/Offset/Random Max, this will add a key frame. Change it’s value from 0 to 10.
- Move the timeline slider 10 frames forward, since we are creating a 10 seconds countdown. For instance, if you wish to create a 30 seconds Countdown Timer, then set the Value/Offset/Random Max to 30 and move 30 frame forward in the timeline.
- After moving 10 frames forward, change the Value/Offset/Random Max value back to 0. It will add a key frame in your timeline.
- RAM preview the composition to check if your Countdown Timer works or not. Experiment and play with the looks to customize the appearance of the Timer.
http://www.vdodna.com/tutorials/3-digital-clock/