Screen Text plug-in> Line Spacing and Setup group
The Line Spacing and Setup group controls the space between lines as the text scrolls, which shapes the effect of typing or rolling text.
Space Between Lines
SBL Randomness
Controls how much space appears between lines of text, similar to leading. The amount is measured in pixels.
In Screen Text, new lines don’t get created until the old lines have moved out of the way. A new line of text won’t appear at the Starting Point until the previous line has moved far enough away to leave enough space between the two lines. The distance the previous line has to move for a new line to be created is determined by Space Between Lines.
By default, all lines are typed on simultaneously. Since new lines need to wait for old lines to get out of the way before appearing, you can end up with several lines typing themselves on as they scroll up the screen. This can be an interesting effect, but not generally what you want. Setting a higher value for Space Between Lines solves this problem.
If you don’t want new lines to wait for old lines to get out of the way, set a negative value for Space Between Lines. The lines will bunch up and may not be readable, which may be the effect you’re looking for.
At left, Space Between Lines at 20 and SBL Randomness at 0. At right, Space Between Lines at -10 and SBL Randomness at 20.
Space Between Characters
SBC Randomness
Defines the space between characters in a line of text, similar to tracking. Space Between Characters only affects the entire line. There is no way of adjusting the space between individual characters.
NOTE: If the Vertical Alignment checkbox is turned on, then Space Between Characters defines the space between columns.
At left, Space Between Characters at 20 and SBL Randomness at 100. At right, Space Between Characters at 10 and SBC Randomness at -2.
Frequency of Overwrite
Sets the speed at which one line is replaced with another line of text.
Frequency of Overwrite ONLY works if Scroll Speed is set to 0. If Scroll Speed is set to 0, only one line of text is produced. Frequency of Overwrite determines how often this one line of text changes.
Direction of Lines
Controls the direction of the lines. By default, lines scroll upward. However, you can use the Direction dial to move them in any direction. The text can scoll downward, at a 45 degree angle, or horizontally.
NOTE: Be aware of where your Starting Point is. If the lines start at the bottom of the screen and the Direction dial is pointing downward, you’re not going to see much animation, since the lines of text will move off the bottom of the screen into oblivion.
Left to right, Direction of Lines at 0 and 50.
Display Speed
Tells the lines of text to look ‘typed’ on, measured in characters that are added onscreen per frame. A value of 1.0 is the typical value as that adds one character per frame.
Higher values result in blocks of text appearing at the same time, which can cause the effect to look less realistic or generate an ‘old-school’ computer look.
Values between 0 and 1.0 will cause characters to be added slower than every frame. For example, 0.5 would cause a character to be added every other fram, while .01 will result in a character being added every hundred frames. Just divide 1 by the value to get the number of frames that characters will be added (1/.01 = 100, 1/.5 = 2).
If you want to add a bit more realism to the tex animationt, try to vary the Display Speed. When typing, most people don’t type lines at a consistent speed, and even computers vary how fast they output results. instead, typing often happens in bursts of speed. Try wiggling the Display Speed between 0.3 and 1.0 using Hold keyframes.
DS Controls Scroll Speed checkbox
When turned on, lines wait until they are completely typed on, then jump up to the next row, making room for a new line to type itself on. It’s a bit like turning on Lock To Grid.