Create a Split-Flap Type Display

Jun 1st in Motion Graphics by Mattias Peresini

Split-Flap-What? It's the term used for displays that are found in train stations and airports, where they typically display departure and/or arrival information and do that cool flipping of letters to display the new information.

This tutorial does not show how to create the effect from scratch but instead it is a tutorial to explain how to use the project file created by Mattias Peresini who runs the totally awesome mattrunks website which has incredible tutorials for After Effects in French. We are very happy to have Mattias doing his first English tutorial for us here at Aetuts+.

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Author: Mattias Peresini

If like me you have eyes that shine when you say motion design, I might just agree. You will find regularly on my blog tickets to the world of animation and graphics. I also advise you to watch my video tutorials on After Effects, for learning to achieve the demo reel effects that make us dream.

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User Comments

( ADD YOURS )
  1. PG

    Daweb June 1st

    Yeah Mattrunks ca fais plaisir de te retrouver sur la scène internationale ;-) bien vu !!

    ( Reply )
  2. PG

    kevin June 1st

    Wow, thats look great!

    ( Reply )
  3. PG

    sun June 1st

    nice~ thank you~

    ( Reply )
  4. PG

    Loay June 1st

    I liked it very much
    This is the best site ever……and Thanks Mr.Peresini :) .

    ( Reply )
  5. PG

    Pierre June 1st

    Yeah, French are on Aetuts ^^ . Bravo Mattrunks :)

    ( Reply )
  6. PG

    Adrien Peze June 1st

    Merci Mattrunks! Ca fait plaisir de te voir sur Aetuts+

    ( Reply )
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    Térence June 1st

    Hehe super travail. Ca fait plaisir de te trouver ici !

    ( Reply )
  8. PG

    mixnico June 1st

    Merci mattrunks !

    ( Reply )
  9. PG

    johanngrunt June 1st

    Thanks a lot! especially for the non-torrent link, really helpful for those on a college network

    ( Reply )
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    Xponential June 1st

    Félicitations pour ton very good english speaking my friend ! J’ai toujours été un big big fan de ton website http://www.mattrunk.com. keep up the bon travail !

    ca doit etre tout de meme marrant pour les anglos de voir l’interface de AE en français.

    ( Reply )
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    Xponential June 1st

    oops sorry for the typo… as I just said ; I like learning on http://www.mattrunks.com/

    ( Reply )
  12. PG

    Art June 1st

    Sweet can’t wait to get home and try this one out.

    ( Reply )
  13. PG

    vasu June 1st

    kewl tutorial dude

    ( Reply )
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    William Cannavaro June 1st

    Excelente idea incluir el torrent, ya que para bajarlo de otra forma, es
    sumamente tardado.

    Good point buddy, and good tutorial.

    Bless.

    ( Reply )
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    Billy June 1st

    I love this guys stuff….just can’t figure much of it out since they’ve bee in French….up to now! Great to see you here Matt. Hopefully you will put all your tutorials up here!

    ( Reply )
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    BrownHornet June 1st

    Not even cool! I was just about put this in a vid I’m working on right now.

    Beat me to it. >:(

    (Yours looks a lot better than mine, though…haha)

    ( Reply )
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    Rev65 June 1st

    Thanks, Mattias, for sharing the great project file. I’ve enjoyed your website and the tutorials there now for about 4 months. Although I don’t speak French, it has been fun watching you work and trying to follow along. Kudos!

    ( Reply )
  18. PG

    Jorge June 1st

    Muito bom! Adoro todos os sites tuts+. Sempre aprendo muito aqui.
    Obrigado e parabéns.

    ( Reply )
  19. PG

    Falken June 1st

    Excellent, Mattrunks est désormais dans la place :)

    Et puis ici, ça permet de toucher en plus des brouzoufs !

    ( Reply )
  20. PG

    Shadowzproductions June 1st

    Oh wow. I’ve been waiting for something like this! Thanks!

    ( Reply )
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    Alex C. June 1st

    Great tutorial! thanks for sharing!
    I’ll definitely try it out, when I have time…

    I’m gonna go check your website now,
    regards!

    ( Reply )
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    Gerald June 1st

    Hi, that was cool to have that tutorial, flipping text. I understand how it’s supposed to work. But we don’t see how you make it happen (i assume it’s with expressions). I like the way it looks (don’t get me wrong) I’m just wondering if there will be an other round with expressions.

    Thanks, and keep up with good work like that.

    ( Reply )
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    Nicolas June 1st

    Nice!

    ( Reply )
  24. PG

    Swany June 1st

    I like how easy it is to download the file and begin to use it in AE. This is the first tutorial I’ve done where I’m using the project file and not creating my own along with the tutorial. It’s great, I love it, fast outcome.. but, I don’t feel I’ve really learned anything from this particular tutorial. Don’t get me wrong, the effect is great and your outcome is wonderful but I’d like to know how you created the flipping tiles.

    The way you set up the files and made it so easy to change the text is great. I need to start working more towards that workflow. I realize we can’t get everything we want on here but a part 2 would be something I’d like to see.

    Your accent was great, and I didn’t miss a thing! I’ve finished the tutorial and now I’m going to play. Thank you! I look forward to your future tutorials.

    ( Reply )
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    diZ June 1st

    Well done ! :-)

    ( Reply )
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    red June 1st

    That tutorial showed nothing on actually how to complete or create a flip-letter for yourself. There was no direction, this maybe the worst tutorial I have ever watched.

    ( Reply )
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    Swany June 1st

    I was messing around and had a few questions about the file set up..

    I’d like the words to start from the blank cards, flip over to the word and then stop for each line…basically just one word for each line rather than flipping to the next…

    [W] [O] [R] [D] [1] [] [] [] [] []
    [W] [O] [R] [D] [2] [] [] [] [] []
    [W] [O] [R] [D] [3] [] [] [] [] []
    [W] [O] [R] [D] [4] [] [] [] [] []

    I was trying to look in the Flip folders to see how the next word was being brought in but I couldn’t figure it out. I was wondering if someone can point me in the right direction. I was looking at the expressions but I’m not sure how to modify it… if (toCompVec([0, 0, 1])[2] > 0 ) value else 0

    ( Reply )
  28. PG

    mehmet akif soyertaş June 1st

    cool!

    ( Reply )
  29. PG

    Psychedelic June 1st

    super mattrunks, tu t’en sors super bien en version anglaise !!

    well done !!

    Psychedelic.

    ( Reply )
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    Damo June 1st

    Nice work, but I would have prefered to have made it from scratch.

    ( Reply )
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    Amin June 1st

    nice

    ( Reply )
  32. PG

    bea June 1st

    Congratulations, Mattrunks.. ! Good job !

    ( Reply )
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    Rama June 1st

    aetuts!!!!!
    félicitation mattias! et très bon tuto, ça manquais justement sur ton blog!
    bravo dude!

    ( Reply )
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    Hadi June 1st

    Thanks, very nice. I saw this effect on mitsubishi car ad and wanted to try and make it. You made it easy for me.
    Once again thanks.
    THe Ad is played in Australia.

    ( Reply )
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    Gray June 1st

    Oh, I love to decipher all these comments written in French, very fun for me!

    Neat effect by the way, just a bit frustrating that how it’s actually achieved isn’t explained in the tutorial.

    ( Reply )
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    AngryAnon June 1st

    Hey is there a link to the project files of your website tutorials? I clicked on all the links but couldnt find them. I dont know if youll reply but if you did have profect file links then we could learn from your great tuts

    ( Reply )
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    Diego SA June 1st

    The Terminal!!!

    ( Reply )
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    Swany June 1st

    I figured out how to complete the cards flipping with one word and then stopping the flipping cards in that row… turned off some of the rotation inside the flip filders…

    [T] [H] [E] [] [] [] [] [] [] []

    I’m having trouble duplicating the Flip folders to make a 2nd row.

    They seem to be using the old word 1, word 2 etc.. files… I’ve also created a new Word 2 file for these new Flip folders to use for the new 2nd row word, but even when I change the files (Lettre1-2) inside the Flip folders the new row is still using the old (Word 2) file from the first row…

    [T] [H] [E] [] [] [] [] [] [] []
    [C] [U] [R] [I] [O] [U] [S] [] [] []

    Any suggestions or help would be great, I’ve really enjoyed playing with this project, I’m so close to finish but can’t seem to solve this problem…

    ( Reply )
  39. PG

    johanngrunt June 2nd

    Hi, just wondering

    1) how we can add more flips, say we want more than 5 words/flips to display

    2) or how we can add more lines, say more than 10 letters

    3) and how to change the color and background of the text and the shape of the box

    Thanks!

    and i think having the project file is great for newbies like me so at least we know what kind of effect we should get instead of wandering around blindly.

    Thanks and keep up the great work!

    ( Reply )
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    Nikola June 2nd

    Hey Matthias!!! This is not a tutorial – this is a template!!! It’s maybe better if you explain how to add another letter at the end – that will be a tutorial!

    However, thanks! It’s great!

    ( Reply )
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    smashngrab June 2nd

    I totally agree with some of the above. While this looks really good and is very clever it still is just a project file, not a tutorial. Your idea of commenting stuff in the comp itself is great but it’s not a substitude for explaning your method. Some advanced users might be able to dig in and figure out how you actually achieved the effect but I guess most people stopping by on aetuts won’t.
    Please add an explanation on how to get there to make it an actual tutorial so people can follow along and improve their skills. That’s the reason I come here and I bet most other people do to.
    I would even go so far to say that this is something aetuts should have brought to your attention in the first place.

    ( Reply )
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      Lloyd June 2nd

      It is noted in the description that this is not a full tutorial.

      ( Reply )
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        Sean June 2nd

        This is a “tutorial” site…..right? Templates and project files do very little to teach people how to use AE. Most of us know that this guys site exists. If we really wanted the project file we could go to his site and get it. You should be requiring those who put up project files to create a tutorial on how they created what they are presenting.

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      mattrunks June 2nd

      I will try to record a full tutorial on how to do this project from scratch. Doing tutorials is easy for me in french, but more difficult in english, this is why a short project explanation was easier. But I will try to make the full tutorial, promise ;)

      ( Reply )
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        Chaabane June 3rd

        i hope you’ll make a full one in French too, i like to watch your tutorial in French rather in English ;) , but its a cool tip anyway, i’ll try to dig in it ,maybe i can understand it better
        by the way…is there any chance to put this technique in a preset

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        nat September 5th

        hi matt..have you done any full tutorials for this one? i really want to know the full details and steps you made.. thanks..

  42. PG

    kb10 June 2nd

    mazette !!!

    Mattrunks sur aetuts !

    Il va devenir une star international notre frenchie

    ( Reply )
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    pasxa June 2nd

    It is not a tutorial… :( Please explain at least expression on the opacity parameter in FLIP comp… Does it make the letters or flip background invisible to camera when it is located behind the layer or what?

    may be somebody else can explain toCompVec expression?

    Thanx beforehand!

    ( Reply )
  44. PG

    Rev65 June 2nd

    Here’s a different terminal board solution from Cartoon Smart: http://tr.im/nazH

    ( Reply )
  45. PG

    Demix June 2nd

    Cool =)
    J’étais sur que ça allait porter sur ça !

    ( Reply )
  46. PG

    franzz. June 2nd

    aaaaaah le voila le “tuto BY Mattrunks” :D
    content ke tu puisses prendre part a ce site énorme!
    seeyou;)

    ( Reply )
  47. PG

    Laippe June 2nd

    @matt: Bravo tu as le droit à tes vacances maintenant ^^

    For some of you who say that it’s not a tutorial and it will be nice to explain how he did, you must know that it is almost impossible to explain each expressions, it’s for that mattrunks did this :)

    ( Reply )
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    Lyndon June 2nd

    thats gangsta kid! thx a big one homie, ima holla at that very soon for more inspiration!

    ( Reply )
  49. PG

    Lyndon June 2nd

    Cartoon smart has got nothing on it! Plus it FREE!!!

    ( Reply )
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      Rev65 June 2nd

      I agree! Just pointing out another take on the idea. I do like that the Cartoon Smart version cycles through all the characters to get to the right ones.

      ( Reply )
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        Lyndon June 3rd

        you’re right homie. i didn’t see your pervious post. sorry if i sounded rude :)

  50. PG

    RickD June 2nd

    With limitations follows innovation. Great effect.

    Thank you Mr. Peresini for your valuable time.

    ( Reply )
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    Alexis June 2nd

    Mattrunks Wéwéwé ! Mattrunks wéwéwé ! =D Encore Merci pour tous tes tutos

    ( Reply )
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    Milk June 3rd

    Mattrunks sur Evanto ! Quel succès di-donc! On voit toute la communauté francophone (oui car il y a les Belges aussi qui lisent ton blog! ^^) en ébullition !

    Vivement les suivants !

    Good job

    ( Reply )
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    bear June 3rd

    thanks a lot!!! great issue, two thumbs up
    but in my humble opinion this is not a tutorial :)

    ( Reply )
  54. PG

    Nikola June 3rd

    Hi Matthias!! Thanks for the answer. Maybe is enough if you explain only how to add another letter. I am new in AE but i think it wil be enough. However, your english is much better than mine. Regards!!!

    ( Reply )
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    rosh June 3rd

    nice great job

    ( Reply )
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    Yann le belge June 3rd

    AH AH

    la french touch ! powaaaaa

    ça fait plaisir !

    ( Reply )
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    Moi June 3rd

    I not speak english !!
    Zut ça avait l’air intéressant !!

    ( Reply )
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    andrea June 4th

    interesting but i thought it was a tutorial on “how to make it”
    this is just “how to use it”
    would be interesting to share how to make something like that, not just recycle..if you know what i mean…
    btw..merci

    ( Reply )
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      Diego SA June 4th

      Hehe, a lot of people are complaining about it.
      Sorry, I had to say that.

      ( Reply )
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    grizley June 5th

    huja z tego wiem. pokaz jak to zrobiles ???

    ( Reply )
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    fantasmo June 7th

    Mercy Mattias…
    Your site is fantastic!
    I like these little TF1-Clips VERYVERY much… can you do a tutorial which shows how to do something like that? :-)

    ( Reply )
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    Julien June 8th

    Matt rulez !!

    ( Reply )
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    Ms H June 10th

    Just be greatful some people are even doing these tutorials on this site. And yes I know it is not a tutorial, but Matt has invested his time in this … I am a Digital Media student studying AE, so I appreciate the time spent here :)

    ( Reply )
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    Ricardo Ortiz June 10th

    AMAZING!!!

    ( Reply )
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    illd June 11th

    Not bad at all, but it would be better if somebody could do a follow up and explain the used expressions. Thanks anyway Mattrunks, you are really an inspiration!

    ( Reply )
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    Mr after June 11th

    ce tutorial est court et incomprehensible,
    c’est vraiment ratééé

    ( Reply )
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    Lothian June 14th

    Excellent resolution of the video. But I do not understand how to do exactly the effect of the words. In part of the accent, in part because of the explanation of the tutorial. It is not very clear. It has just give us an idea in how to do this effect. May be the tutorial may beggins in “Composition – New Composition” and then show how you get the effect, typing the letters and doing the application of the effects and so on.
    Anyways, thanks by iniciative and keep going on.
    Greetings from Brasil.

    ( Reply )
  67. PG

    Nightfirecat June 15th

    Very cool template, but I wish it showed how to create the effect… I really want to be able to make it for myself and modify it a bit…

    ( Reply )
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    Bernardo June 15th

    Hey, congrats on your first tutorial! Could understand u perfectly, i really liked the tut, from now on ill look 4 more tuts on after effects, imm new to this.

    ( Reply )
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    Baggz June 27th

    Great job!

    ( Reply )
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    J July 14th

    Excellent tutorial. Thanks for taking the time to put it together.

    And your accent isn’t bad. It’s a very good French accent.

    ( Reply )
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      J July 14th

      But YES…demonstrating all the steps should be part of this. Is there a Pt. 2 to this?

      ( Reply )
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    Matt July 14th

    Please make a part 2 and explain how you created this. I did something similar a few months ago, but it was a long and laborious process. I would love to cross check how I did mine against yours and where I could improve some things.

    Thanks!

    ( Reply )
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    cumhur July 18th

    superr…thank you…

    ( Reply )
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    braden just August 17th

    did anyone figure out how to add more letters?

    ( Reply )
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    Aboubakar September 9th

    very nice one man et pour ton englais tu te debrouille bien bon continuation ;)

    ( Reply )
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    Bardia October 15th

    Hi
    I downloaded the tutorial but I think this is not complete, how can I get the complete tut.
    Please help me.

    me@bardiaelmi.com

    ( Reply )
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    0583257 October 23rd

    if you don’t show us how you made the effect, it’s NOT a tutorial

    ( Reply )
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    Sponge October 27th

    I’m no expert on expressions, but from what I can tell, all the is going on in the “Flip#” comps, is that the opacity of layers is being turn on and off based on the rotation of other layers – in this case, the “UP” layer below it in the stack.

    I have changed this project to use just numbers and am pulling all my numbers from one single pre-comp with a string of numbers from 0 to 9.

    You can expand this thing seven ways from sunday, as long as you make sure the “thisComp.layer(”Letter 1 UP”)” part of the expression in the “Flip#” pre-comps refers to your layer names, if indeed you change them.

    ( Reply )
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    svimp November 1st

    And my question is , how to ad more time between the transitions ?

    Please email me you anybody knows .. Thanks !

    ( Reply )
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