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What is HitFilm 4 Express Text and what does it do
Hitfilm Express Text is a text generator capable of producing scripts, storyboards and animatics on the fly. It has the ability to produce a large variety of graphics with different fonts, colours and layouts. There are over 50 different layouts with over 500 individual options. Hitfilm Express Text is a smart text generator that uses a sophisticated algorithm to produce text automatically with the skills of a skilled graphic designer.
The output can then be exported in several different formats (eg .dae, .mov, .pdf, .production or .epub ) allowing you to export your work as you create it.
Hitfilm 4 Express Text provides the ability to create characters and props out of any piece of footage. Hitfilm 4 Express Text is able to recognise faces and then turn those facial features into fully functioning characters or props. It can also do the same with any other object in the shot.
The user can then position these elements as they see fit, change the fonts, colour, size and position of text.
How to use HitFilm 4 Express Text to create text effects
First we are going to show you a few of the basic text effects and then we will do an exercise where you can use these techniques to create your own text for your film. The following are the steps you will use to copy and paste your own text into a file.
In the HitFilm Express Text tool click create.
A new text document will open. Select the background color you wish to start with by clicking the color box and dragging your mouse over the color swatches in the dialog box. The background color will be used for your text to be displayed on top of. Once you have selected your background color click ok to get back to your text tool.
In this dialog box you can now type in a title or any other text you wish for your film. Once you have typed in your text click ok to close the dialog box.
Examples of how to use HitFilm 4 Express Text to create cool text effects
I will show you some examples of how to use hitfilm 4 express text to create cool text effects. In the following exercise I am going to write a text effect in the storyboard section of hitfilm express text. I will then create effects in the animations section to produce different layouts.
Please note it is not necessary to open the storyboard in the first place, you can simply choose the text effect you want in the editor. I am doing this as an example of how to access options. And also so that we can see the different effects overlaid on top of each other so that we can then create our own unique layout.
We have 2 different layouts, with and without trailing text or tails for short. Also known as end credits and start credits. I have also included tails for some of the effects. To create a tail in Hitfilm express text, you simply need to select the text effect and then drag the slider down until you have achieved the desired length of your trailing text.
Tips for using HitFilm 4 Express Text effectively
Hitfilm 4 express text has a lot of features to produce scripts, storyboards and animatics on the fly. Here are a few tips for using HitFilm 4 Express Text effectively and making the most out of it.
– Formatting text in the timeline’s text layer is crucial for a powerful read. Don’t worry about formatting names and dates too much as HitFilm 4 has a variety of preset formats that can be applied quickly.
– One of the built in features I like is being able to type a character and HitFilm 4 will display all the matching characters. This speeds up typing names, locations or even technical terms much faster than using your normal keyboard.
