TextMachine 3D Tutorials

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Text Movement - Motion Paths
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In this tutorial you will learn how to:

 

Draw Motion Path

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Introduction

In TextMachine 3D you can create paths where text objects can be set to automatically move along.

The self time and size of a text object can be synchronized to the position of the text object on the path allowing to create dynamically changing compositions.

The motion path can be drawn by using the Line, Circle and Freehand tools provided.
The motion path consists of segments, visually divided by dots in design pane.

How to draw motion paths

  • To open the "Motion" control window, click "Text Motion" in the main user interface as shown by the screenshot

  • To draw a line, toggle then click left mouse button in design pane to set origin point, click again to set end point or use right mouse button in design pane to draw a polygon.
    Note: Use the X and Y buttons to draw horizontal or vertical lines respectively.

  • To draw a circle, toggle   then click left mouse button in design pane to set center point, click again to set circle radius from center point 

  • To draw a freehand path, toggle then move your mouse in design pane while holding the left mouse button.

  • To increase or decrease the overall size of the motion path click the "+" and "-" buttons in "Motion" window
    Note: you can use this to let move text objects off the screen

  • To delete the motion path click the "X" button right to the draw toggles

Examples

Start TextMachine 3D and drag/drop the presets below to the TextMachine 3D design pane.

Text Motion Example 1

Text Motion Example 2

Text Motion Example 3

 

 

Move, Change and Size Text along Motion Paths 

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Introduction

Multiple text objects can be assigned to the motion path drawn. The speed and the phase (distance between the text objects on the path) can be set. Movement restriction along X or Y axis only can be defined. The text object self time can be synchronized with the position on motion path.

How to

  • To split a text object to single characters, select the text objects in design pane, then click "Split Text" -Note: This function is useful if you want to have a single character based motion.

  • To assign text objects to the motion path, click "Assign" button in "Motion Window", then select the text objects by clicking on them in the design pane.

  • To remove text object assignments to the motion path, click the "X" button on the right side of the "Assign" button

  • To start/stop motion of assigned text objects click the , buttons respectively.

  • To adjust the speed of the text motion use the speed slider

  • To control the phase (distance between text objects on the path) use the phase slider
    Note: You can invert text motion direction by using the "i" button, right to the Phase slider.

  • To restrict movement only along X or Y direction, toggle the "X" and "Y" buttons

  • To synchronize the text object self time with motion path position, toggle "Synchronize"

  • To size the text object along the whole motion path toggle the "ST" (Size Total) button

  • To size the text object along each segment of the motion path toggle the "SP" (Size Partial) button.

 

Examples

Start TextMachine 3D and drag/drop the presets below to the TextMachine 3D design pane.

Self Time Synchronization

Self Time and Size Synchronization

Text Motion Pulse

Text Motion Circle

3D Model in Motion

3D Model in Motion

 

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