i used after effects the other day and when i was using animation presets on text i opened up a screen that showed what the preset looks like. i cant remember where i went to get that.

where do i go to get that page or screen?

See this page for a link to the web gallery:
"Text animation presets" (http://help.adobe.com/en_US/AfterEffects/9.0/WS470222D1-4767-478c-8F52-649C4E3FE941a.html)

To open the Presets folder in Adobe Bridge, choose Browse Presets from the Effects & Presets panel menu or from the Animation menu.

I always found it nice and easy to view them on the web:

Adobe After Effects CS4: Gallery (http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/gallery/)