Create Networks-Style Broadcast Graphics With Boris Graffiti

In the next step we will be making the main horizontal backdrop bar. Use Control D shortcut one more time to add another layer and change the shape of the new object to Rectangle. Position and re-size the bar as shown below.

Now you can position the main title over the horizontal bar.

Tip: Layers in Boris products are rendered from the bottom up. Make sure that your text is above the Rectangle track in the Timeline.

In the next step we will be creating a channel locator object. There are several ways to create a new text object in Graffiti. We’ll use the familiar method of duplicating existing text track. Once the new track is added to the timeline Double click on it to bring up the Text window.

Since it is a two-line text object I’m using the Center Justification button to achieve vertical symmetry. A slightly smaller size is chosen for the second line (Select text to change font size).

Tip: multiple lines of text can be created with a carriage return or with the Text Wrap feature found in the next tab. I’m using the No Wrap option.

My next step is to add a nice backdrop for the locator object. I’m going to use the Text Backdrop feature as a quick and convenient way to make text background that will automatically size and position with the text. To add the backdrop, select the Face sub-track and click the Text Backdrop shortcut button in the Control Window.

Now we select the Backdrop track and change the shape to Oval in the Control window. There is no need to set the style parameters again because Graffiti remembers the last spline style used. All that’s left to do is to size and position the locator object in the top-left corner of the screen.

The last remaining element is the network bug. Although most of the time it is a pre-made graphics, for the purpose of this tutorial I will create it from scratch. The same steps as in locator can be repeated again except the backdrop style will be different.

Tip: To speed up the task, simply duplicate the locator layer.

Instead of stroke and color fill I will use a two-step black and white gradient for the fill on the backdrop track of the bug object. Remember, the stroke can be turned on/off in the Border tab.

A gradient is a simple trick to simulate light and shadow in 2D environment.

The news graphics overlay is now finished. It looks great even though I do not have a dedicated graphics department at my disposal.

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