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Transforming a Range of Points

Action: 3D Geometry

3D Text Selective Motion Blur

 

3D Compositing with Action > Action: 3D Geometry > 

Creating 3D Text

You create 3D text using the 3D Text menu in Action. 3D text strings have the same properties as 3D imported objects. In addition, with 3D text, you specify typical text properties such as font, font size, kerning, and italics. In 3D space, text has depth and can be rotated on the X, Y, or Z axis.

You can create 3D text strings using Type 1, TrueType, or Asian fonts. You set 3D text properties using the 3D Text Editor. To access the 3D Text Editor, add a 3D Text node to your scene, and double-click the 3D Text node in the schematic.

The 3D Text Editor controls are described as follows.

Text fieldDisplays the characters that make up the text string.

When keyboard preference is enabled, clicking this field displays the on-screen keyboard representing the character set for the selected font. Enable Up ASCII to access the rest of the character set.

Font fieldDisplays the font library, where you select a font for the text string. You can select from Standard, TrueType, and Asian fonts.

By default, Action uses the font specified for the TextDefaultFont token in the init.cfg configuration file. For example: TextDefaultFontTimes-Roman

Kern fieldSets kerning for the characters in the text string.

Size fieldSpecifies font size for the characters in the text string.

Italic fieldItalicizes the characters in the text string.

Depth fieldExtrudes the characters in the text string, making it three dimensional.

Create buttonPlaces the contents of the Text field in the scene.

Replace buttonApplies changes to the 3D text string.

Separate buttonSeparate text so that each letter has its own axis. See Separating Text.

MBlur buttonEnables or disables a motion blur only for the 3D text. See 3D Text Selective Motion Blur.

Bevel curveApplies a bevel to the depth of the text string when you manipulate the Bevel curve. You can move and add points to the curve, as well as adjust the tangent handles to produce different effects with the text string. See Creating Bevelled Text.

Home buttonResets the Bevel curve viewer to show the whole curve.

Undo buttonUndoes Bevel curve operations.

Reset buttonResets the Bevel curve.

Click the Geometry tab to access the Geometry menu to apply any of the geometry settings to your 3D text. See Working with 3D Geometry for definitions of the specific Geometry controls.

To create 3D text:

1. Do one of the following:
   • Drag the 3D Text node from the node bar and place it in the schematic.
   • Drag the 3D Text node from the node bar and place it where you want it in Result view.
   • Double-click the 3D Text node. You do not need to be in Schematic view to add a node in this manner.

   A Geometry object, with it parent axis, appears in the schematic.

2. Double-click the 3D Text node in the schematic, or follow the tab population rules for the Object menu. See Selecting Objects and Populating Menu Tabs.

   The Text menu appears.

3. Enter a text string in the Text field.
4. To change the font, click the Font field and select a new font from the font library.
5. Set font size, kerning, italics, and depth in the corresponding fields.
6. Click Create.

   The 3D text string appears in the scene

To enter Unicode values when creating 3D text objects:

1. Click the 3D Text Input field to display the on-screen keyboard.
2. Make sure Num Lock is on to activate the numeric keypad on your keyboard.
3. Hold down the Alt key.
4. Without releasing the Alt key, enter the Unicode value that corresponds to the character you want to add, and then press Enter.
   TipTo enter more characters using their Unicode values, keep the Alt key pressed. Press Enter after each unicode value to enter multiple characters using this technique.
5. Release the Alt key and press Enter to create the 3D text object.