Animated pinched text

Animated Pinched Text

All of the text and images in this tutorial are copyright. Have a peek at the link below to learn more about what "copyright" means.

Open a new image 500 X 500. The actual size doesn't matter as you will be cropping later.

Activate your text tool and apply the first word of your text. Be sure that Floating is selected at the bottom, of your text window

While your text is still selected, apply any bevel effects you like. Copy, delete and paste as a new layer. This will insure that your text is in the center of your image..

Activate your text tool again and apply the second word.

While still selected, apply the same bevel effects.

copy, delete and paste as a new layer.

In your layer palette, you will have 3 layers. delete the bottom on as it is blank.

Activate your crop tool and crop off any un needed transparency. You can bring this as close to the text as you can without actually digging into the text.

Save your image and open Animation Shop.

Click File > Preferences > General Program Preferences.

Click on the layered Files tab. The settings are shown below, click ok and open your image.

Once your image is open, click on the first frame to select it.

Click Effects > Insert Image Effect.

Select the pinch effect with the settings shown below.

Click OK.

Click on the last frame and apply the same effect but check Run in Reverse direction.

select the first frame. Right click and select Frame Properties from the drop down menu. change the speed to 80.

Do the same to the last frame.

Save your animation.

If you have any comments or questions, email me at

kim@pixelbit.com