Text+ Follower

[EricD]

Hi Andy,

I don't think you can do this with the follower because while the transform tab allows you to select 'words' there is no x/y position controls. It would be cool if the Range selector also had words and lines.

However, you can still do this with a single Txt+ using manual kerning.

I'm sure there are other solutions but here's mine.

(removed attachment cause it was messed up)

Eric

[durexlw]

Heya Eric,

Thanks for the idea man, I'd love to take a look at it, but I can't seem to open the file. What format is that? The file has no extention and when I add the extention "flw" I get the error "unexpected fileformat"

You could always send it by mail or something if the uploading here gives this problem.

Looking foreward to see your sollution,
Andy

[EricD]

Yeah, looks like the zip is messed up :shrug:

Here is the flow (.flw) renamed to .pdf if this dosen't work I'll mail it to you.

Eric

[durexlw]

Thanks for the flow Eric. This one works nicely.
To be honest, I feel like a freaking moron. How did you find out about this? I can't seem to find anything relating to this in the manual.
I'm having trouble reproducing the effect. I just found out the "manual font kerning/placement" is not only a label, but something that can be animated, but from there on i'm stuck... moving or adding keys in the Spline editor doesn't seem to do anything, wich seems logical to me, but I can't find out what piece i'm missing or where to look for it.

I can't believe Eyeon didn't document this anywhere. If you could spare the time, could you provide me a short discription of the steps needed to reproduce what you made, or if I can read about it somewhere, then i'd love to hear about it.

[EricD]

Hi,

Don't be to hard on Eyeon, they're constantly adding features and as a result the manual becomes outdated.

Tho I did find a description on p.541

OK you have a Txt+ with 'Music for the Mind'

Set your render range to 40 (you can adjust timing later)

Jump to frame 40

Twirl down Advanced Font Controls and RMB Manual font kerning/placement>Animate

Now here's the trick...

Enable manual kerning button in the viewer, select all the characters then nudge them a pixel in any direction then back. (I know this sounds crazy but for some reason just setting a keyframe here doesn't work)

Goto frame 30, select 'Mind' and move it up (I used shift+arrow)

Goto frame 20, select 'the' and move it up

Do this with 'for' and 'Music'

You should now be at frame 0 with four keyframes on your spline

Select all and set to smooth interpolation

Now drag the tangent handles for each keyframe so you get a smooth in/out

If you want you can now use the Time Stetch feature in the spline editor to drag your animation out as desired.

You can also select individual keyframes and nudge them to adjust timing.

Add motion blur to taste ;)

Sorry if this is too long winded.

Eric

[durexlw]

Heya Eric,

Thanks alot man. I consider knowlegde as on of the most great gifts a man can give, I appreciate this very much.

With "I can't believe Eyeon didn't document this anywhere", I really meant I had faith eyeon documented it somewhere... I think it's more empowering to keep the believe i'm using something wrong then it is to believe 'it' is wrong.

You should consider writing some tutorials man, you did a very nice job here. As simple as the technique is, it's capable of producing complex results... good DF tutorials are hard to find.

Thanks again man.

Take care,
Andy

[EricD]

Heya Eric,

I think it's more empowering to keep the believe i'm using something wrong then it is to believe 'it' is wrong. Take care,
Andy

This is good advice :thumbsup:

Glad I could help

Eric

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