User`s guide

Chapter 8 Working with Text

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• Increase positive Shift Y values to move the backdrop up.

• Decrease negative Shift Y values to move the backdrop toward the bottom of the

screen.

You can also create a backdrop using the Layer tab. When you use the Layer tab, a track is

not created in the timeline, so you cannot animate any of the parameters. For information,

see “Creating a Text Backdrop with the Layer Tab” on page 446.

Extruding Text Backdrops

When creating text backdrops, the backdrop uses the shape as the Text track on which it was

added. For example, if you select the Make Backdrop Track option for a track that uses text

media mapped to the 3D Extrusion shape, the Backdrop track in the timeline uses the 3D

Extrusion shape. The Backdrop track in the timeline does not contain a Shape icon, so you

cannot change the Backdrop track’s shape.

If you want to create 3D text with a 2D backdrop, do not select the Make Backdrop Track

option. Instead, create a separate Spline Primitive track and nest the Spline Primitive track

and the Text track in a 3D Container. For more information on 3D Containers, see “Using

Spline Media” on page 521.

Editing the Shape of Text Backdrops

You can also convert a Text backdrop to a Spline Object, so you can edit its shape to create

custom or animating backdrops. You can combine multiple shapes into a single backdrop.

For more information, see “Converting Text and Text Backdrops to Spline Objects” on

page 448 and “Creating Multi-Shape Text Backdrops” on page 450.

Animating the Shape of Text Backdrops

You can also convert a Text backdrop to a Spline Object, so you can animate its shape. To

animate a shape, you need to deselect Multi-Frame mode in the Tool window. For more

information, see “Working in Multi-Frame Mode” on page 534 for more information.

You can also create a backdrop using the Layer tab. When you use the Layer tab, a track is

not created in the timeline, so you cannot animate any of the parameters. For information,

see “Adding a Rectangular Backdrop” on page 447.

Creating a Text Backdrop with the Layer Tab

Avid FX includes a tab for Shape and Container tracks which defines layer or bitmap

parameters for that track. Once you create certain types of media, you can use the parameters

in the Layer tab to create a rectangular backdrop behind the media. The backdrop does not

create a track in the timeline so you cannot animate these parameters.