Adobe AFTER EFFECTS CS3 PROFESSIONAL User Manual page 530

Note: When animating the control points of a Bezier path, don't confuse the Bezier path shape with the Bezier spatial
interpolation of the keyframes. Like keyframes for other position controls, those for the vertex or tangent of a Bezier path
can be set to either linear or Bezier. The default spatial interpolation is specified in General Preferences. Spatial interpo-
lation can be selected for individual keyframes by choosing Animation > Keyframe Interpolation.
You can apply motion blur to motion that you create with the Path Text effect. Blurring occurs on each character.
Like motion blur for layers, blurring for characters is more visible when movement is quick. For example, blurring
is quite pronounced when you choose negative jitter values, which produce jumpy motion.
Path Options controls
Defines the shape of the path. The Path Text effect name must be selected in the Effect Controls panel
Shape Type
to make the path visible in the Composition panel.
•
Shapes text along a Bezier curve, defined by four control points (Vertex 1/Circle Center, Tangent 1/Circle
Bezier
Point, Tangent 2, and Vertex 2). Characters that don't fit on the path are placed off the end in a straight line.
•
Shapes text around the circumference of a circle, defined by two control points (Tangent 1/Circle Point, and
Circle
Vertex 1/Circle Center). If the text is longer than the circumference of the circle, the text overlaps itself. If an arbitrary
path is chosen and if the path is closed, this property forms the text around the path, as opposed to looping it.
• Shapes text around the circumference of the circle, defined by two control points (Vertex 1/Circle Center,
Loop
and Tangent 1/Circle Point). If text is longer than the circumference of the circle, it flows off the Tangent 1 point in
a straight line. You can also use margin controls to make text enter or exit a circle in a straight line.
• Shapes text in a straight line, defined by two control points (Vertex 1/Circle Center, and Vertex 2). Note that,
Line
as with the Bezier path, the distance between the two control points doesn't affect the spacing of the text, unless
alignment is set to Force.
Specify the points on the path.
Control Points
• Specifies the following points: starting tangent for a Bezier curve, diameter of a circle and
Tangent 1/Circle Point
starting or ending point of text (depending on the specified alignment), and diameter of a loop and the point where
text enters.
•
Specifies the starting vertex for a Bezier curve, center of a circle or loop, and starting or
Vertex 1/Circle Center
ending point for text on a line (depending on the specified alignment).
•
Specifies the ending tangent of the Bezier curve. The line between Tangent 2 and Vertex 2 specifies the
Tangent 2
slope of the curve at its ending point. For circles or loops, Tangent 2 is ignored.
•
Specifies the ending vertex of a Bezier curve and the angle of a line. For circles or loops, Vertex 2 is
Vertex 2
ignored.
Specifies an arbitrary path. You can use a mask created in the Layer panel or in Adobe Illustrator.
Custom Path
Reverses the path.
Reverse Path
Character controls
Size of the characters.
Size
Average distance between characters.
Tracking
Controls the horizontal distance between two characters. If you change the text, specified kerning is
Kerning
preserved for all unchanged character pairs. You cannot use the Undo command to undo kerning changes. To change
horizontal spacing between characters over time, use Kerning Jitter Max or create keyframes for Tracking.
•
Specifies the pair of characters to kern. Click the arrow to move among the pairs.
Kerning Pair
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