The Text+ tool is capable of 3D transformations of characters,
words or entire lines of text. This tutorial will only cover
one of the many powerful features in this new tool.
Step
1
To start the tutorial select the Text 2000 tool from the tools
drop down-list or click on the (Txt+) tool tile from the toolbar.
Step 1 Click
for larger view
Step
2
By selecting the Text tab in the Text+ tool, type in any phrase
you wish. We have chosen to type "Digital Fusion Text Tornado"
twice.
Step 2 Click
for larger view
Step
3
From the layout tab select circle from the type menu to set the
text into a circle. The width slider may need to be adjusted to
fit the text.
Step 3 Click
for larger view
Step
4
Select the alignment tab and enter a value of 90 in "Line angle
X" to rotate the text 90 degrees along the x-axis.
Step 4 Click
for larger view
Step
5
Return back to the layout tab and enter a value of -105 degrees
to tilt the circle of text in the display.
Step 5 Click
for larger view
Step
6
In the display, the circle of text is rotated on the x-axis and
slightly tilted. Note the reversed text in the circle.
Step 6 Click
for larger view
Step
7
We will now create a spiral from the circle of text for the tornado.
In the alignment tab, enter a value of 15 for Line Angle Y.
Step 7 Click
for larger view
Step
8
Adjust the Line Z-Axis slider in the adjustment tab to tighten
the spiral of text. This is the column for the tornado.
Step 8 Click
for larger view
Step
9
Back at the layout tab, change the Rotation Order from XYZ to
ZYX. This will change the rotation order allowing the z-axis to
be the first axis to be rotated. This will allow us to rotate
the spiral of the text tornado.
Step 9 Click
for larger view
Step
10
In the time ruler, set the render start to frame 0 and the render
end to frame 30. Drag the purple tape across the time ruler from
frame 0 to 30 to set the render range. Set the current time to
0.
Step 10 Click
for larger view
Step
11
Now place the mouse pointer on the angle Z slider in the layout
tab. Right click on the slider and from the marking menu select
"Set Key Creating BezierSpline". This will set a value of 0 at
frame 0. This will keyframe the start of the rotation.
Step 11 Click
for larger view
Step
12
Advance the current time indicator in the time ruler by dragging
to to frame 30. Then set a value of 720 for the Angle Z slider.
This will be the rotation for the spiral of the text tornado.
Step 12 Click
for larger view
Step
13
To create a preview of the text tornado, right click on the text+
tool tile and select "Create/Play Preview on" from the marking
menu. Select a display for the preview to be created and displayed
on.
Step 13 Click
for larger view
Step
14
After the preview is created and viewed, you may want to experiment
and add a motion blur to enhance the rotating effect of the
text spiral. Select the Common control tab (fusion tab) and
check the motion blur box.
Step 14 Click
for larger view
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