creating mask

[Father Thyme]

hey all. total illustrator Newb here.
I've been using photoshop for years to create my text for use in After Effects. I understand that illustrator may be a better way to go when it comes to being able to resize my files and have them still look good in AE.
In photoshop there is a simple mask tool to create the mask so the background disappears behind the text in AE. Is there a similar tool or what is the step to create the mask so that I lose the background in illustrator?
Also, do I need to rasterize before exporting?
I know I could fumble and bumble around and eventually figure it out, but why suffer when there are so many smart cats out there who already know?
thanks for your help!
Lost1

[Scott Weichert]

Hi Father Thyme,

Illustrator by default has transparent backgrounds. There's no need to do anything to remove a background.

I can't comment of rasterizing for AE, I'm not an AE user.

[Father Thyme]

Hi Scott,
Thanks for that. I'll try that and see if anyone responds the the rasterize issue.

[vmagic118]

Father Tyme, well the question you asked was if you have to rasterize before EXPORT, since most export option are for bitmap images the program will automatically rasterize those files for you. For example exporting to Tiff or Jpg. However You can also SAVE the file in EPS (Encapsulated Post Script if your want to maintain the vectors. My rule is if it has A photo in it i export to Tiff if I am using Vectors graphics, I make sure to outline all my text and save as EPS. Outlining your text make it possible for anyone to see your work without having to subsitute for fonts that they do not have. I save 90% of my work to EPS. Another way I save much of my work especially for client review is in PDF. Hope that helped.

[Father Thyme]

Hey V thanks. I will take that into consideration.
If any After Effects users read this I would love to have their input as well.

[Justin Loxley-Smith]

HI Father Thyme, I am an After Effects user and I just use the AI files straight out of Illustrator. As Scott points out even though the background appears white it is actually transparent. There is by default an option is set to hide transparency grid. This is found under the View menu. You will see an option to Show Transparency Grid that way you will know what is filled and what is not.

For Photoshop output I either use the PSD file or PNG files. From 3D I use Rendered Targa files with a separate render of the Alpha channel.

[VectorMike]

I use AE a bit too, doing trade show signage for my company. AI files work pretty well with AI, you won't need any masks with AI tpye. Also if you want to do some basic animations in Flash you can export the animation as a series of PNG files and AE will import them as as little movie. I'm sure you could do the same thing from imageready or AI.

later,

[Paths]

Since you mention you're a newbie. Just thought I'd add that 'outlining' your text means changing it from a font to a vector (scaleable) object. That way the appearace will be the same whether someone viewing has the font or not. I mention this because when I was a newbie I was stumped by this term 'outline' thinking about it too literally (thinking it meant stroke) until someone enlightened me.

The Type menu has the "create outlines" command.

[VectorMike]

Just to let you know that if you're working in AE on the same computer as AI you won't need to outline the type. Unless it's for a graphic reason. As long as you have the same fonts for both programs it will be able to read both and be scalable. It might look fuzzy in AE. There is a little switch to turn on in your time line window. It helps with the preview of vector objects.

later,

[Justin Loxley-Smith]

I usually add the text separate in AE that way scalability/editability remains. The only issue I have usually had is when I have do a layout found the font size I want etc, the same font size in AE does not correspond so you need to do some experimenting with size and kerning values to get the right look.
Also if done in AE you can take advantage of the AE text effects you can apply.