How To Create A Text Animation

In this tutorial, you will learn how to use the Convert to Path feature in SVGator to break text into individually animatable shapes, separate and organize letter paths into groups, and apply scale and rotate animations with staggered easing for a polished entrance effect.

Step 1 - Setting Up The Canvas And Text 

Start with your chosen word. For this example, the word is "vibe" set in the Kablammo font. Double-click the anchor point to set it to the center, then align the text to the center of the canvas. Right-click the text and select Convert to Path from the context menu. The path is automatically placed into a group in the left panel, keeping your layers organized when working with multiple paths.

Step 2 - Viewing And Naming The Nodes 

To see the nodes that make up the converted text, select the Node Tool from the toolbar or press A. Rename the original path, duplicate it, then lock and hide the original as a backup. Duplicate the layer once for each letter in the word — in this case, four times.

Step 3 - Separating Letters Into Individual Layers 

Hide the last three layers. With the Node Tool active, select all the nodes belonging to the letters to be removed from the current layer. For example, in the layer named "V," select and delete the nodes for I, B, and E. Repeat this process for each remaining layer until every letter exists as its own isolated path.

Step 4 - Separating Letter Parts Into Individual Shapes 

Each letter is still a single path at this point. To animate specific parts independently, break them apart using the same technique: duplicate the path, select the relevant nodes, delete the rest, then group and name the result clearly.

Step 5 - Cleaning Up Nodes And Recreating Gaps 

Remove any extra nodes that don't contribute to the shape to keep the SVG code clean and manageable. To smooth out small gaps, use the Remove Node tool or hold Command while using the Node Tool. Where a gap needs to be recreated, duplicate the relevant shape, lower the opacity of the original letter as a guide, then position and resize the duplicate accordingly.

Step 6 - Setting Anchor Points For All Groups 

Once each shape is separated and grouped, place the anchor point exactly where the animation should originate. This directly affects the direction and behavior of the animation, so repeat this step carefully for every letter and shape before moving on.

Step 7 - Adding A Scale Animator To All Groups 

Select all letter groups, move the playhead to the point where the animation should end, and add a Scale Animator. Then move the playhead to the start point, enable Maintain Proportions in the Scale transform panel, and set the scale value to 0.

Step 8 - Applying Easing And Staggering The Keyframes 

Open the Easing panel and select the Ease Out Back option. Adjust the settings to match the desired style and save the preset for reuse. Apply the same Scale Animator and easing to each group individually, then offset the keyframes between layers to create a staggered entrance effect. Play with the timing until the result feels right.

Step 9 - Adding A Rotate Animator As A Final Touch 

Add a Rotate Animator to one of the shapes and time it to begin right when the main scale animation ends. Preview the full animation to review the final result.

This technique can be extended to other illustrations, allowing you to replicate the process.