AE expression for "length of text layer" for lower thirds nameplate

Thread View: adobe.after.effects.expressions

4 messages

[T] Back to Threads [V] Tree View [G] Group Articles

4 total messages Started by Ryan_Fyffe Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:42

#157

Author: Ryan_Fyffe
Date: Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:42

10 lines
1352 bytes

Hello everyone,

Is there a way to measure the total width (and height) of a text layer, to automatically update the length (and height) of a shape layer? I produce web news segments with 7-15 lower thirds displays for each video. I'm looking for a more efficient way to re-size each nameplate. Currently I manually re-size each shape layer to fit the name. Is there an expression that will update the shape layer, based on the length (in pixels) of the text layer?

See an example video of what I'm talking about:
 <http://dallasvoice.com/dvtv_track.php?s=345>
(look for the nameplates that animate in at the beginning of each interview)

I've read everything I can get my hands on, but nothing has helped. Any help would be appreciated!
-RY

Re: AE expression for "length of text layer" for lower thirds nameplate

#159

Author: Mylenium
Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:52

11 lines
1178 bytes


      Is there a way to measure the total width (and height) of a text layer,
      to automatically update the length (and height) of a shape layer?




Nope. You need to apply a sampleImage() to your text layer and probe for its min/ max dimensions. Check Dan Ebberts' collision detection example on his site ( <http://www.motionscript.com> ) for reference.

Mylenium

Re: AE expression for "length of text layer" for lower thirds nameplate

#163

Author: Todd Kopriva
Date: Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:42

3 lines
1043 bytes

Here's a Community Help search <http://community.adobe.com/help/search.html?q=width+height+text+layer&l=aftereffects_product_adobelr> that brings up a few different answers.

I think that the best solution is the one on the AE Enhancers site linked to from the last line of this page <http://help.adobe.com/en_US/AfterEffects/9.0/WS3878526689cb91655866c1103906c6dea-7a00a.html>.

Re: AE expression for "length of text layer" for lower thirds nameplate

#175

Author: rich_helvey
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:12

3 lines
739 bytes

Don't know about expressions, but you can do it through scripting. Boy, was I glad when they added that.

-Rich

Thread Navigation

This is a paginated view of messages in the thread with full content displayed inline.

Messages are displayed in chronological order, with the original post highlighted in green.

Use pagination controls to navigate through all messages in large threads.

Back to All Threads