Create stunning flaming text

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Creating the Composite Shot
3. Customizing the Fire Effect
4. Adding the Lightsword Ultra Effect
5. Embellishing the Fire
6. Adding Sparks with the Particle Simulator
7. Fine-Tuning the Particle Settings
8. Applying the Glow Effect
9. Adding the Heat Distortion Effect
10. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome back to another HitFilm tutorial! In this video, we will dive into the mesmerizing world of fiery text effects. Our guest for today's tutorial is the legendary Simon Jones, who will guide us through the process of creating stunning fire text using HitFilm. Simon hasn't been on the channel for a while, so we are extra excited to have him back. Get ready for an awesome tutorial on creating fiery text that will blow your mind.

Creating the Composite Shot

To start creating our fiery text, we need to set up a new composite shot. Open HitFilm and create a new 1080p composition. Once the composition is set up, grab the text tool and draw out a box for your text. In this tutorial, we'll use the word "HITFILM" as our text. Choose a font that gives a satisfyingly old and physical look, like Courier New. Adjust the size and character spacing to your liking.

Customizing the Fire Effect

Now it's time to add the fire effect to our text. Drag the playhead along the timeline, and you'll see some fire appearing on the text. To make the text look like it's on the verge of melting, customize the fire effect settings. Change the blend mode of the fire effect to "None" so that it replaces the text entirely. Adjust the flame source properties to reduce movement and increase source fill. Experiment with source variation to control the intensity of the fire effect.

Adding the Lightsword Ultra Effect

To enhance the fire effect and make it more captivating, we'll add the lightsword ultra (glow only) effect. This effect is not only perfect for creating lightswords in Star Wars fan films but also works wonders for making fire look amazing. Add the lightsword ultra effect to the text layer and choose the "Red distortion" preset. The glow and distortion of this effect create a realistic look of fire captured through a camera lens.

Embellishing the Fire

Let's take our fire effect to the next level by adding some embellishments. Create a new black plane below the text layer and copy the larger fire effect and the lightsword ultra glow onto the new plane. To restrict where the fire can originate, use masks to create shapes below the text. Experiment with different shapes and positions to introduce hotspots and variations in the flame. Remember to set the blend mode of the text layer to "Screen" so that it combines properly with the plane layer.

Adding Sparks with the Particle Simulator

To add an extra touch of realism to our fiery text, we'll incorporate sparks using the particle simulator. In the emitter's shape group, change it to a Quad and stretch it out to match the width of the text. Position it near the top of the letters. Set the trajectory to "Explode" so that the sparks burst out of the emitter. Adjust the appearance and movement properties to create a dynamic and natural spark effect.

Fine-Tuning the Particle Settings

To make the sparks more realistic and diverse, fine-tune the particle settings. Adjust the life, scale, speed, and movement variation of the particles to create a unique burst of sparks. Experiment with different values to achieve the desired look. Add forces like gravity and turbulence to introduce chaos and randomness to the particle movement.

Applying the Glow Effect

To enhance the overall glow and intensity of the sparks, add a glow effect to the particle layer. Adjust the intensity, threshold, and radius of the glow to create a close, hot glow around the sparks. Duplicate the glow effect and modify the settings to add variation and depth to the glow. Set the blend mode of the particle layer to "Screen" for seamless integration with the fire.

Adding the Heat Distortion Effect

To add a final touch of realism and intensity to our fiery text, include the heat distortion effect. Create a new grade layer and apply the heat distortion effect to it. Customize the settings to achieve the desired look, keeping in mind that the default settings often provide impressive results. This effect adds an extra layer of depth and heat to the composition, making it look like the text is disintegrating and dropping fiery globs.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully created stunning fiery text using HitFilm. By following the steps in this tutorial, you have learned how to customize the fire effect, add embellishments, incorporate sparks with the particle simulator, and enhance the overall look with glow and heat distortion effects. The possibilities for creating captivating fire text effects are endless. Remember to experiment and unleash your creativity to achieve unique and mesmerizing results.

Highlights

• Learn how to create captivating fiery text using HitFilm
• Customize the fire effect to make the text look like it's melting
• Add the lightsword ultra effect to enhance the fire simulation
• Embellish the fire with additional layers and masks
• Incorporate sparks using the particle simulator for added realism
• Fine-tune the particle settings for a dynamic and natural spark effect
• Apply glow effects to intensify the sparks' glow
• Add the heat distortion effect for an extra layer of depth and heat
• Experiment with different settings to create unique and mesmerizing fire text effects

FAQ

Q: Can I use any font for the fiery text effect? A: Yes, you can choose any font you like for the fiery text. Experiment with different fonts to find the look that suits your project.

Q: Can I apply these techniques to create fire effects on other objects? A: Absolutely! The principles covered in this tutorial can be applied to any object or text you want to create a fire effect on. Let your imagination run wild!

Q: How can I make the fire look more realistic and chaotic? A: To make the fire look more realistic and chaotic, remember to introduce variations in movement, source fill, and source variation. Breaking up the consistency of the burn adds to the authenticity of the effect.