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Dynamically Distribute Text Layers Horizontally
Hello All,
I am a bit stumped. I am trying to evenly distribute the x position of 4 text layers horizontally all on the same y axis in a composition. I would like to for the group of 4 to also be centered within the comp. And for the cherry on top I would love to have a slider to control the gap distance between layers for tweaking as needed.
Does anyone have any insights on how to accomplish something like this? I’ve attempted several solutions with sourceRecTime and have been successful so far.
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9 Replies
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Are they all single line texts ? Are the differences in ascenders and descenders from layer to layer the problem ?
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Single line yes, and there are descenders and ascenders.
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The ascenders and decenders aren’t even the issue yet, I haven’t even made it that far.
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I tried using this on each layer but it still doesnt space evenly.
gap = thisComp.layer("Control").effect("Spacing")("Slider")+(thisComp.layer("A").transform.xPosition)
L = thisComp.layer("A");
rect = L.sourceRectAtTime();
[gap+rect.width+rect.left]; -
I think something like this might get you started. Set nLayers to the number of text layers participating (they need to be contiguous) and set firstLayer to the index of the first participating text layer.
gap = thisComp.layer("controls").effect("Gap")("Slider");
nLayers = 4;
firstLayer = 1;
curEdge = 0;
wTotal = gap*(nLayers-1);
for(i = firstLayer; i < firstLayer+nLayers; i++){
L = thisComp.layer(i);
r = L.sourceRectAtTime(time,false);
w = r.width;
wTotal += w;
if (i == index) myOffset = r.left;
if (i < index) curEdge += w + gap;
}
x = thisComp.width/2 - wTotal/2 + curEdge - myOffset;
[x,value[1]] -
Brilliant, thank you Dan!
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Not sure if this is possible but would there be a way to make it so that, if for example, these 4 pieces of text end up being wider than a certain predetermined amount the group as a whole scales accordingly to fit back into a predetermined width?
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This is great! How would you amend this so it everything is anchored left at a point (instead of centred to comp), and works for both text and shape layers? Thanks!
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If I understand what you’re asking, this should work:
xPos = thisComp.layer("controls").effect("Left X")("Slider");
gap = thisComp.layer("controls").effect("Gap")("Slider");
firstLayer = 1;
curEdge = 0;
for(i = firstLayer; i <= index; i++){
L = thisComp.layer(i);
r = L.sourceRectAtTime(time,false);
w = r.width;
if (i == index) myOffset = r.left;
if (i < index) curEdge += w + gap;
}
x = xPos + curEdge - myOffset;
[x,value[1]]
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