Natural Type-On Expression

[Dan Ebberts]

Here’s a Source Text expression you could play around with:


minRate = 3; // frames per character
maxRate = 6;

charCount = 0;
t = 0;
seedRandom(index,true);
while (t < time){
charCount++;
t += framesToTime(random(minRate,maxRate));
}
value.substr(0,charCount)


Dan

[Mitch Mann]

I was thinking of some kind of wiggle expression for this. I tried your solution, Dan, and its great!

[Navarro Parker]

As usual, works great Dan!

[Dovi Shraga]

Hi Dan!

This looks just like what I’m looking for. The problem is I can’t figure out where this code goes (Range Selector 1 -> Strat?). I’d be happy if you’re willing to elaborate on that a little.

Thanks!
Dovi

[Dan Ebberts]

It’s an expression for the Source Text property.

Dan

[Dovi Shraga]

I got that, but couldn’t get it to work. What I did was alt+click on the stopwatch near “Source Text” and then pasted your code. When I moved the cursor to see what’s happening, I saw nothing. I’ve also tried to disable the Typewriter effect but that didn’t help either.

[Dan Ebberts]

1. Create a new text layer with your desired text.
2. Alt+click the Source Text stopwatch.
3. Paste this in:


minRate = 3;
maxRate = 6;
charCount = 0;
t = 0;
seedRandom(index,true);
while (t < time){
charCount++;
t += framesToTime(random(minRate,maxRate));
}
value.substr(0,charCount)


That should do it. No Typewriter effect necessary.

Dan

[Lance Clayton]

Thanks Dan.

However, this does seem to only work when the layer starts at the beginning of the comp. When further down the timeline all letters appear at once.

Is there some parameters that can be added to allow the expression to start at the beginning of the layer no matter how far down the timeline it is? (or will I have to precomp).

Thanks

Lance

[Dan Ebberts]

I think you just need to change this line:

t = 0;

to this:

t = inPoint;

Dan

[Marcelo Cabral]

Hi Dan
This expression works awesome as type on effect. I have a text with this expression inside a composition (“text”) nested in another composition (“chat”). In this composition, I have an adjustment layer with a mark called “start”. I was wondering if there is some way to make this text expression start with that mark. Thank you in advance

minRate = 1;
maxRate = 2;

charCount = 0;
t = inPoint;
seedRandom(index,true);
while (t < time){
charCount++;
t += framesToTime(random(minRate,maxRate));
}
value.substr(0,charCount)