UPDATE 06/15/2008:

Version 0.4 is located here: Taolars_SW_Crawl_0.4.zip. See the included README file if you have any questions.

It now can output NTSC, PAL, and HD, the SW logo is now a vector graphic, and its easier to tweak colors, glow, text speed, and the tilt angle. I think it looks better too.

SD Video Example: SWCrawl_0.40_demo.avi . Note: The DIVX compression tweaked the colors and generally degrades the picture. See the still images below to get an idea of how it really looks.

HD Still Examples:
HD_Out _LOGO.jpg
HD_Out_CRAWL.jpg.
These are larger than most people's monitors, so if the edges of letters look jagged its because it was shrunk to fit your screen. Zoom in.

Let me know if you use it, and if your project gets released a mention in your credits would be nice, but not required.

Please PM me if you find any errors. Have fun!
-T


ORIGINAL POST:
Here's a crawl template that I put together for another fan editor. It's pretty accurate, easily adjustable, and I included instructions. Feel free to use it to your hearts content. Just please drop me an email if you use it in a finished edit. And a mention in your credits would be nice, but not necessary. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Taolars_SW_Crawl_0.2.zip

And here's what it looks like:

testcrawldivx.avi

The Divx compression made some of the colors fluctuate as it fades away. The uncompressed version doesn't do that...

Have fun,
-T

I'm sure this will be very useful; we often get questions asking how to make a SW-style crawl.

The letter appear to have a glow, a pretty bright yellow glow. Is that on account of the compression?

It's not my cup of tea but I agree it could well be useful to others.

Actually the brightness, width and color of the glow is completely adjustable.

Hey, THANKS Taolar! I can really use this!

--ID

Glad I could help. I'm looking forward to your edits!

-T

Likewise!

Son of Jorel is a project we've been watching and waiting for for a long time. My colleague TJDavis1138 (a huge Superman fan) is particularly excited about your "De-Fifed" shot.

Best of luck in completing it. Hope to see it released soon!

And hey, thanks again for spending the time to make this crawl template available! It is MUCH appreciated.


--ID

Oh, I'll definitely complete it. Sooner than later, I hope. But with work, family and friends all vying for your attention, it's sometimes hard to find the time for a hobby that isn't providing money, but often causing headaches. Heck, I'm sure I don't need to tell you!



If it speeds up your release, or saves you a headache, then it was well worth my time. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

-T

I hear ya, Buddy! Believe me!

Taolar, thanks for posting this. I just got after effects (CS3), and was trying to put together a crawl for a trailer... and I am getting this fuzzy copy of the crawl underneath the actual crawl text, and I cant figure out how to get rid of it. It definitely shows up in the render. I confess I really dont know anything about AE, but do you know what might be going on here?

check all the separate layers in after effects because if i remember right with that template there is a duplicated layer of the crawl that has a blur applied to it . Just try disabling layers to see which one it is

Adywan's right. Your two options are to either disable the "copy of [2dcrawl.ai] 4 glow" layer in the "2d crawl animated" comp (which will also remove the glow), or you can figure out why that and the "[2dcrawl.ai]" layer are out of sync and fix it.

Incidentally, a month ago someone saw this topic (apparently its become the top result if you google "star wars crawl template") and paid me to create an HD version with end credits for their Star Wars themed wedding. So, not only has this hobby finally made me some $$, but soon I'll be releasing a new version of the template, which will fix the above problem, be easier to use and customize for those not AE fluent, and will be easily output-able to HD.

ThrowgnCpr, if you have trouble, go ahead and send me your project files and I'll see if I can fix it for you. Although I don't have CS3.

-T

Thanks a lot Taolar, and Adywan. I'll try to get this sorted out, and let you know if I cant get it fixed

Sorry, can't help but snicker at that. ;)

thanks guys, i got it figured out!!! Big help :)

Yeah, I'm hoping they'll send me a copy of their finished video. I gotta check that out.

thanks again. here is the trailer I threw together:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=RCc8A_dCy94

Excellent! It's a great disc too.

Hey Taolar - any updates on the new template? I'm dong some HD-edits of the PT, and would like to get some new crawls on the go...

Thanks for doing this - my after effects skills are somewhat limited!

I actually have time tonight, so check back tomorrow.

sweet, looking forward to that taolar!! This template has been just a great help. Thanks again :)

Solo21, can you email me some screen captures of your HD footage? I'm trying to figure out how to accurately letterbox it. Just one 1920x1080 jpg of a scene where the letterboxing is clearly visible, one of the original crawl, and one of the clear starfield before the crawl starts would be great. Email to taolar at gmail.com.

Thanks!
-T

I'm using WookieGroomer's 1080p footage as my base - but it's not actually letterboxed. The video format is all 1920x820 - full frame. Do you still need frame grabs? Not sure how to grab a single frame from a WMV...nothing much opens that format...

To clarify, my video format is:

1920x820
23.976fps
15mb/s bitrate (~14.5 for video)
WMV (although I'm importing a bunch of formats via AVIsynth into Premiere.)

Ok, I have v.4 done. It's got HD, SD NTSC, and SD PAL output, a vector graphic logo, and it's easier for non AE people to use. I think it looks better too. Check the first post for links.

-T

thank you so much Taolar!!!