CompuServe Thread

Autodesk Software Forum · Autodesk 3D Studio

#Help with 2D Fonts

8 messages in this thread

#76318From: Paul MinniJan 14, 1994 12:47 PM

Hi all, I'm doing a 2D anim. in 3DSr2. Basically it's flying text/logo stuff. There's three lines of text. The client needs the first 2 lines to be the same color(White). The problem is when one White object passes in front of the other, it's difficult to see who's in front (even though each object has a Z-offset). My question; is there a way in 3DS to edge 2D text objects, like a video character generator. For those non-vidiots, I'm looking to put a black outline around the front face of each letter in the text. I thought about duplicating the objects in place and giving the new one a wireframe texture. Is there a better way? All suggestions appreciated.

#76384From: ALAN IGLESIASJan 14, 1994 7:13 PM

Off the top of my head, Paul, you might try making an outline of the text in the Shaper and loft it seperately from the text. Color it differently, attach it to the text, and there ya go — a nice contrasted outline. -Alan Iglesias

#76416From: Ed PankauJan 14, 1994 10:38 PM

You might try creating 2 objects (per each line of white text)… just use the 2D Shaper to create the text. Then SELECT ALL, then chose SCALE from the modify polygon(s)… make sure to have the SELECTED button depressed from the tool pallette. Scale it to about 101-110 percent or a little more (depending on your tastes). Now loft this object… place it directly behind the white text and assign it a BLACK MATTE material. Good luck!

#76532From: MARTIN G FOSTERJan 15, 1994 6:21 PM

Paul, I usually create the text in the 2d shaper, loft it with some thickness. In the 3d editor select the back vertices of the object, then in the front view move the vertices to the right and upwards a bit. Apply a darker material to these side faces and you'll get sort of a drop-shadow affect even viewed in an orthographic viewport.

#76705From: Paul MinniJan 16, 1994 7:14 PM

Martin, Alan, and Ed, Thank you for the tips. Three techniques I'll definitely try in the future… Because as a workaround I added a little "texture" to some of the text and the client loved it and I got the gig! -P.M.

#76836From: MARTIN G FOSTERJan 17, 1994 3:01 PM

glad to hear the client was pleased. That's what counts, although it helps if you're happy too 🙂

#77002From: KeyframeJan 18, 1994 3:53 AM

Just an idea, when we want to outline our text in 3ds we use the bevel tool in the lofter then select the beveled edge and change it's colour to form the outline. Hope this helps Phil.

#77072From: MARTIN G FOSTERJan 18, 1994 12:07 PM

Keyframe, your idea works fine for an outline. If you wanted a drop-shadow or controlled 3d effect, my idea would work better, IMHO.