How can to do the inverse of explode modifier in Blender

Question

How can to do the inverse of explode modifier in Blender like the text "CHRIS MACARI" at the beginning in this video

Here is a GIF of this section

Answer 1

You may do it using the Video Sequence Editor.

Go to the Video Sequence Editor window (Sequencer) and add the scene animation strip to it (Shift+A-->Scene-->Scene). Check the Backwards checkbox in the Filter panel of the properties shelf (press N being in the Video Sequence Editor window).

Press the Image Preview button to see the preview of your animation. Render animation with F12.

Answer 2

I made this addon:

How to reverse an animation?

(It contains details on excatly how to do a reverse explosion)

It allows much greater control than simply running the explosion backwards as seen above, although that can be useful.