Hi, I’m Axel from FXhome, and in this video we are going to look at the various text tools
in HitFilm, and the advantages of each one. No project file is needed, since we will create
everything from scratch. Let's get started, shall we?
The first method for creating text is using the Text tool on the Editor timeline. This
feature was added in version 12 of the software, so make sure you are up to date to access
it. The simplest method to add a text object is to select the Text tool, and click on the
Viewer where you want the text to appear. Let’s click near the center, left to right,
and toward the bottom. The point where you click will be the origin point for the text,
so as we type, our click marks the left edge of the text. The text panel gives us controls
to edit the appearance of the text, and a new text object appears on the timeline, which
can be dragged around and adjusted to control when and for how long the text is visible.
Now let’s add a second text object. This time, we will create a text box by clicking
near the top left corner, and dragging to the middle of the frame. As we drag, the box
is visible, and we want it to be offset in the top half of the viewer. Once the box is
created, we can enter text, and it will stay constrained within the box. If the text is
wider than the box, then it is automatically wrapped to create a new line.
So we have these two methods for creating text with the text tool. In both cases, a
text object is created on the timeline, and the Text panel gives you controls. The Character
section of the controls is the same in both cases. So we can change the font, (Avengero),
Size (75), color (purple), Outline thickness (2), Outline color (Gold),etc. The paragraph
settings will vary, though, based on the text layer. Select our open text layer, and try
each of the three alignment options. The alignment changes in relation to the exact point we
clicked to create the layer. Now select the text box, and notice how the alignment differs.
Now it changes based on the size and position of the box. And we have a lot more paragraph
options available. Over here, we can adjust the vertical alignment of the text in the
box. The justify options don’t do anything if we only have one line of text, but the
effect on paragraphs like this is obvious. We can also indent on any side of the box,
to create a gutter, or indent only the first line, or separate the paragraphs by adding
a gap before or after each paragraph. So, there is text on the Editor. Our second
method is Text in a Composite Shot timeline, which offers a few additional advantages.
In the Media panel, let’s create a new composite shot, then use the Text tool to add a new
text layer. Everything we have already looked at remains the same, as far as the controls
in the Text panel and so forth. But here is one thing we cannot do on the Editor: click
this icon and we can convert the text layer to 3D. We have to add a camera to view 3D
layers, so we click OK, and then, we can rotate this layer in 3D space. And, we can use 3D
lights to illuminate it. There are also 3D effects available in HitFilm Pro, or in add-on
packs for Express, that let you extrude the text in composite shots, or otherwise manipulate
it in 3D, but genuine 3D text layers like this are possible even in the free software.
The link onscreen now will take you to a tutorial specifically about 3D extrusion. We also have
loads of effects that can only be used on composite shot layers. For example, Set Matte
lets you easily fill text with an image or video, and Surface Studio in HitFilm Pro allows
you to give text the appearance of metal, glass, carved stone, or other materials. Check
out the tutorial linked here for more info on using Surface Studio. We can also use depth
of field to blur the text as its distance from the camera changes. Also, creating text
in composite shots allows us to use it to create titling templates, which are explained
in the video linked onscreen now. Our third method for creating text is the
text effect. This option is available in HitFilm Pro, but is not licensed in the free software.
So, if you are using HitFilm Express , then you will need the Edit: Starter pack for this
effect. The Text Effect is applied like any other effect, and can be added to objects
on the Editor or to composite shot layers, like the plane I have created here. Like other
effects, the controls are all found in the Controls panel.
The Text property is where you edit the contents. Click the A icon, and you can edit the text
contained in the layer. In the Transform controls, you can adjust the position of the text relative
to the frame, and offset it from that position. Format gives you similar controls to the Text
panel, but with one big advantage: you can keyframe many of these properties, if you're
using the text effect. The color, font size, line spacing, and more can be directly keyframed
to change over time. The Word Wrap controls let you create a similar result to a text
box, by defining the width at which text will wrap to a new line.
So these are the three basic ways to create text in HitFilm. There are some other more
specific text tools, such as the End Credits Crawl, and the Pulp Sci-Fi Title Crawl, and
the more advanced Boris 3D Objects that are included with HitFilm Pro, but the far majority
of your text needs will be served by one of the three options we looked at today.
If you want to go a step further with creating titles, take a look at this tutorial, which
builds on the basics we have examined today. Let us know if you have any questions, and
remember to subscribe for more videos like this in the future.