The Text tool
The Text tool is used (shortcut [T]), as its name implies, to generate text brushes.
Here you will find a general introduction into how to add a text to your images:
* Enter the text of your choice in the text field at the top of the panel.
- That button "▼" gives you an access to the last sentences and words that you wrote in the text field.
- The "B" button open a window with a larger text field, in order to work with long sentences.
* Direction is used to choose the direction, between horizontal and vertical lecture.
* Select Letter mode or Word mode depending upon whether you wish to display the entire content of the text field or simply one letter at a time.
Letter mode up / Word mode down
* Select your font on the pop-up menu or on the “...” icon, just next. This icon opens a text editor, in order to easily choose a font and its size (the panel change a little, following your operating system) :
All changes to the numeric fields or using the mini-sliders will be taken into account and displayed interactively on the screen for several seconds in order to allow you to view the result of changes and settings made.
* The Size variable defines the font size in pixels.
* The XScale variable manages the font width.
* The Space variable defines the space between characters (a negative value overlaps the characters).
* The Italic variable modifies the inclination applied to characters.
* The Rotate variable is used to increase or decrease the angle formed between the text and the horizontal axis.
* The Track variable adapts the space between characters, but this time, in proportion to the size of each letter in the text field.
* The Power variable defines the color quantity applied by the tool.
* The Opacity variable defines the text transparency.
* The Outline variable creates an outline of varying thickness around the letters, but renders the interior of the letters transparent.
* The Smooth variable applies a blur to the letters.
* The Border variable creates an outline of varying thickness around the letters.
* The Glow variable creates a luminous halo around the letters.
The border and glow may be of any color of your choice.
* If the Letter button is selected, an Anim. (Animation) popup menu is present: you may then choose to apply the letters in the text field once only, in a loop, randomly or in ping-pong.
* If the Word button is selected, a Step variable is present: this variable works in the same way as for standard drawing tools (see lesson 2).
Now you just have to apply your text on your layer, wherever you want, with a simple click on your drawing space.
The fonts used by TVPaint Animation are of the ".ttf" (True Type Font) format.
* The Reset button resets all settings.
* The «▼» button provides access to the last phrases or words entered in the text field.
* The B button opens a larger text field in order to work with longer texts.
* The number in the bottom left hand corner of the panel represents the text width in number of pixels (a width which is dependent on your settings).
* The Create brush button allows you to transform your text into a custom brush and switch to the brush settings in the tool panel.
In addition to the settings via the mini-sliders, do not forget to tick the boxes to take these variables into account.