Motion Array’s Tyler Williams shows how you can create a slit, cut, or slice on a background in After Effects that can be used for interesting reveals, wipes or write-on effects for type.

how to quickly and easily create the cut effect

The best part is that the entire thing can be done on one layer, using standard Ae Effects.

The slit reveals effect makes use of stacking effects in Ae to achieve a more complex system. The effect uses Light Sweep, Drop shadow, Linear Wipe, Mirror, and Composite — Effects that you would never think to throw together for the end result, like this.

Being that the entire thing is on a single layer, you can easily create a preset from it and re-use it in other projects.

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