Text Rendering controls

Text Rendering controls in the Layout pane

Use the Text Rendering controls to set how text objects are displayed in 3D layers:

  • Flatten: A checkbox that, when selected, forces text characters to remain in a 2D plane. In 3D groups, text characters on a path may be influenced by behaviors in ways that interfere with linear alignment. For instance, a simulation behavior might pull nearby text characters out of their plane. When Flatten is selected, the text can still interact with other objects in 3D space, but only as a flattened image, like a card.

    Canvas showing text object weaving in and out of other elements in a 3D group

    After you select Flatten, the text characters no longer move in 3D space.

    Canvas showing flattened text object in 3D space

    Make sure to select the Flatten checkbox when you want:

    • Text to receive reflections. If the Flatten checkbox is not selected, the Reflections parameter does not appear in the Properties Inspector. For more information on using reflections, see Cast a reflection.

    • To use the 2D transform tools in the toolbar (Select/Transform, Anchor Point, Distort, Drop Shadow, Four Corner, and Crop).

    • To apply a mask to text. The mask tools in the toolbar are not available when Flatten is deselected.

    Note: When a text object rotated in Z space is flattened, text that is farther from the camera (farther away in Z space) appears smaller. For more information, see About 2D and 3D group properties.

  • Render Text: A pop-up menu to choose a text-rendering method. This control is not available when the Flatten checkbox is selected, or when Scroll or Crawl is selected from the Layout Method pop-up menu. There are two menu items:

    • In Global 3D (Better): Allows text to intersect with objects in the text group and with objects in other groups. When working with a camera, allows text in 3D space to be affected by the camera’s Depth of Field settings (text outside the camera range of focus is blurred). When this option is enabled, project performance and interactivity may slow.

      For text to cast shadows and to be affected by depth of field settings, In Global 3D (Better) must be enabled. For more information on using shadows, see Shadows overview. For more information on using depth of field, see Depth of field overview.

    • In Local 3D (Faster): Renders text more quickly, but does not allow for intersections with objects in the text group or with objects in other groups, nor does it allow text to cast shadows.

  • Face Camera: A checkbox that, when selected, forces text characters to face the camera, even when the camera is rotated or the text is rotated. This checkbox is not available when the Flatten checkbox is selected (because text cannot face the camera and flatten to the text plane at the same time). Additionally, this setting is not available when Scroll or Crawl is selected from the Layout Method pop-up menu (because those layout methods cause text to flatten).

    Note: Because basic text characters are 2D (flat) objects, text may not be visible when you use orthogonal reference camera views, such as Left, Right, and Top (unless the text object or characters are rotated in 3D space). This is because orthogonal views are at right angles (perpendicular) to objects in the Canvas. For more information on using cameras, see Add a camera.