Text Effects - Adobe AFTER EFFECTS CS3 PROFESSIONAL User Manual

Text effects

Basic Text effect
The Basic Text effect places text on an existing layer—unlike text created on text layers or imported text created in
Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator, either of which becomes its own layer. Use text layers for greater control over
text formatting and text animation. (See "Text" on page 272.)
This effect works with 8-bpc color.
Original (top left) and after applying Basic Text (bottom left) and selecting Composite On Original (bottom right)
After Effects creates an alpha channel for text it creates. You can use a text effect's alpha channel with features such
as track matte.
Note: The width and height of text aren't constrained by the dimensions of the layer; the layer dimensions merely define
the visible region of the text. This feature makes it simple to scroll text over a layer.
The position of the text on the layer.
Position
Note: The behavior of the Position point is affected by the Alignment setting in the Basic Text dialog box. The point
always positions the vertical center of the text relative to the layer. However, if the text is left aligned, the point positions
the left edge; if the text is center aligned, the point positions the center; and if the text is right aligned, the point positions
the right edge.
Numbers effect
The Numbers effect generates random or sequential numbers in different formats, such as decimal number, dates,
and timecode—even the current date and time (at render time). The maximum offset for sequential numbers is
30,000.
Use text layers for greater control over text formatting and text animation. (See "Text" on page 272.)
Apply the Current Time Format animation preset to a text layer to show the current time in the format corresponding
to the project's time display style.
This effect works with 8-bpc color.
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User Guide