Moving animated text to another position on the screen

Tusk wrote on 9/20/2023, 2:17 AM

Hello,

I'm having a heck of a time figuring how to move animated text to a different position. Specifically, I'm trying to move animated text that goes left to right, but I need it to go left to right further up on the screen. I've located what I think is the horizontal or 'top' point of the text and apply it to each key frame that appears on the text block's time line. When I run it, the text starts floating around indiscriminately.

I edit video of live shows. I'm not always able to hold the camera at the same levels, so I use letterbox feature to hide my moving the video up or down to keep the subject mostly centered. When I use my animated text, I might not like how it's animated on top of my letterbox, so I need to move the animated text higher or lower to fit the layout.

I end my videos w/ my signature "TeamHaleyFans" that runs from the left to right:

(Apologies, I copied the link to near the end of the video, but for some reason, the link from this forum starts from the beginning, you're meant to see the animated text at the end of the video)

How do I move a preprogramed text, w/ all it's intended actions to a different location w/ it's preprogramed animation intact?

Thanks

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 9/20/2023, 4:18 AM

@Tusk

Assuming you are still using MEP 2017.

It would be easier to start with a static text object, adjusting font, colour etc and then animate it using Keyframes with Size & Position effect as shown below.

The above was done using MEP 2016.

HTH

John EB
Forum Moderator

Tusk wrote on 9/20/2023, 4:24 AM

@johnebaker thanks, I know how to animate via keyframes, but what about animated text that has effect on it, like the intro title at the beginning of the video I linked to? It has a blur effect on the lettering. There are other animated texts that involve more than keyframe animation. I want to use the animated text as it's own object I can put anywhere, at least move it somewhere other than it's default starting positions.

johnebaker wrote on 9/20/2023, 4:44 AM

@Tusk

. . . . the intro title at the beginning of the video I linked to? It has a blur effect on the lettering . . . .

Many effects can be keyframed, for the Blur keyframe Video effects, Sharpness, Blur - note depending on the text font Artistic Blur works better.

Added: here is an example of the Artistic Blur keyframed

John EB

CubeAce wrote on 9/20/2023, 5:02 AM

@Tusk

Hi.

The problem with that is the Animated Text file has already used the Size, Position, Rotation effect with its associated key frames to give it it's initial movement. So when you then move it using the SPR effect you give it two competing sets of instructions and that results in the wandering text you experience.

Look at the key frame editor when you put an animated text onto the timeline. Then see what happens when you try to alter those movements.

Ray.

Former user wrote on 9/20/2023, 5:24 AM

@Tusk Hi, I know you've said "There are other animated texts that involve more than keyframe animation" but can you be a bit more specific, pick a template that you're finding it hard to move & post a pic of it in the Templates window so we're sure we've got the same one. Whatever solution is given to that one will no doubt apply to others. thxs

Tusk wrote on 9/21/2023, 9:08 PM

@Former user sorry for the poor explanation. In the "Title templates-Movement Basic" using the template for "Narrow left right". Apparently I figured out how to do it before, that's what I use for the endings of my videos for my signature. The default for that template is for it to be in the center. It follows that I should be able to move it including it's effects, as a 'unit' anywhere on the screen? So the example of "Narrow left right" should be picked up as unit and moved elsewhere from it's center default position?

I've tried imputing coordinates on the keyframes, but the result is bizarre floating around. I play through the video and look for the keyframes that are influencing it, but there don't appear to be any keyframes causing those movements.

I created that ending ages ago, 2013, so I somehow was able to move the template to the right lower corner from center, but I don't remember how, now.

Thanks

CubeAce wrote on 9/21/2023, 10:14 PM

@Tusk

Hi.

The way the size position rotation effect is implemented has completely changed since 2013 and its behaviour is now as I explained above creating two competing sets of instructions. You would effectively have to manually change the position of each an every one of the existing key frame editing points to their new positions manually every time you wanted to place the effect at a different set height to retain a stable position.

Ray.

CubeAce wrote on 9/21/2023, 10:25 PM

@Tusk @johnebaker @Former user

Actually, I have just found a way with some further experimentation. It was not intuitive to find.

Ray.

CubeAce wrote on 9/21/2023, 10:34 PM

@Tusk @johnebaker @Former user

Hi Peeps.

I found it after finding that the positions of the text in the SPR are locked and can't be moved or deleted unless you choose to edit a set of the position points via right clicking the effect to bring up the editor.

You only need to open and then close that editor and then the position of the text can be moved via dragging the text to a new position within the monitor view.

I chose a central editing point to more clearly see where in height it was to place it to another position. I was expecting to have to do that to each key edit position but it seems altering one alters all of them.

Ray.

Former user wrote on 9/22/2023, 5:42 AM

@CubeAce @Tusk Hi, that is what i was doing at the end of your video, just grabbing it on screen & moving it. I asked for a Template because some of them like Subtitles Basic - Gradient have more than one track & MMS doesn't move them both together.

For Movement Basic - Narrow left right, double click on Size/Position/Rotation in the keyframe timeline opens SPR where you can make adjustments being careful to be on the correct keyframe when changing things, to return to the on-screen dotted box just click on Title Editing.

I found Subtitles Basic - Floating Left has 'Directional Blur' ?

johnebaker wrote on 9/22/2023, 7:15 AM

@Tusk, @CubeAce, @Former user

Hi all

Another easy way is shown below, with a right click the parameter name to be changed:

As you can see no keyframes are required for the vertical offset as this effect moves across at a constant height as set in the Vertical position parameter.

John EB