File

File

The File generator displays the contents of a text file. The appearance (font, weight, size, and so on) of the text in the source text file is ignored in favor of the settings in the Inspector. The text file must be in plain text (TXT) format.

In a File generator, each line of text appears onscreen, holds for a moment, and then disappears before the next line appears. You can control how the text appears using the controls in the Inspector. The duration of the generator bar in the Timeline determines how long it takes for all lines of text in the source file to reveal themselves.

Adjust this generator using the controls in the Generator Inspector:

  • Browse: A button that opens a browser window where you can select the plain text (TXT) file to use as the text source.

  • Speed: A pop-up menu that sets the behavior of the text as it appears and disappears onscreen. Choose any of several options:

    • Constant: The text appears and disappears at a steady speed from the first word or line to the last word or line in the text file.

    • Ease In: The text appears at a slow speed.

    • Ease Out: The text disappears at a slow speed.

    • Ease Both: The text appears and disappears at a slow speed.

    • Accelerate: The text appears and disappears with increasing speed.

    • Decelerate: The text appears and disappears with decreasing speed.

    • Custom: Defines the speed of appearance and disappearance of the text by setting keyframes for the text from 0 to 100 percent using the Custom Speed slider, described below. In other words, you determine the rate of the appearance and disappearance of the text over time.

  • Custom Speed: A slider (available when Speed is set to Custom) that lets you keyframe the timing of the appearance or disappearance of the text. At 0 percent, none of the text has appeared; at 100 percent, the last of the text in the file is displayed (the last line or word).

  • Random: A checkbox that, when selected, randomizes the order in which the lines of text appear.

  • Random Seed: Controls that let you change the seed number (by typing a new number in the text field or clicking Generate). This changes the random calculations to display the text in a different order.