In this tutorial you’ll learn how to create an octagon shape and stop sign in Premiere Pro.
Using Essential Graphics to Make an Octagon in Premiere Pro
First, activate the Polygon Tool in the Toolbar. It might be hiding underneath the Rectangle Tool.
Activate the Program Panel. Then draw a shape — it most likely won’t be an octagon. That’s okay! We’re going to change that.
Next open up the Essential Graphics Panel. If you don’t see it on your screen, go under the Window menu and select Essential Graphics.
In the Essential Graphics Panel, first make sure your shape is selected. It should be by default. Then in the bottom row of the Align and Transform section, find the little icon that looks like a pentagon with each point emphasized. Change the value to 8. Alternatively, if you want to create a different-numbered shape enter in your desired side amount. 3 = triangle. 5 = pentagon. 1000 = chiliagon (actually, I have no idea if Premiere Pro will let you create a shape with that many sides but at least we learned a new vocab word!).
Next make sure the height and width match each other — this is the “W” and “H” values. This is so you have a perfectly even octagon. You can always change these values later if you want to make it bigger or smaller.
Now we need to change the rotation angle of the shape so that it’s aligned like a stop sign is, if you’re creating a stop sign. Find the curvy-looking arrow in the Align and Transform section of the Essential Graphics Panel. Change the value to -22.5.
Changing Color and Adding Stroke to PPro Shapes
Stay in the Essential Graphics Panel. Scroll down to the Appearance section. Click on the color box under Fill to change the color of your octagon. To add a stroke, click the box next to the Stroke color box then click the color box and change it to white if you’re making a stop sign. You can change the width of the stroke by changing the value next to the stroke color box. I like to set the Stroke to Outer.
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Next go back to your Toolbar and activate the Text Tool. Click in the Program Panel and type in your text — STOP. Use the Selection Tool to move the text into place in the middle of the octagon.
With the text selected, in the Essential Graphics Panel change the font, color, size, and positioning as needed. And you’re done!
If you’ve now gone through this tutorial and you still need help, please leave a comment and I’ll do what I can to help troubleshoot it. But if you now make an octagon and stop sign in Premiere Pro, I hope you stick around and check out some of the other Premiere Pro tutorials on my website or consider signing up to get notified about new blog posts and happenings around EVF.
– Josh