Legacy Text Generators: Time’s Up!
As far as FCP text goes, you shouldn't really be using the legacy text generators any more. They are bit map based and the quality is not as good as you can get with the more modern text tools: Boris Title 3D, LiveType and Motion.
Apple doesn't really tell you to not use these generators, so I guess that's why a lot of rookies still use them. They look "OK", but Boris, LT and Motion is better.
Furthermore, you should avoid placing text with the wireframe and always use the "+" (called Point Controls BTW) in the Controls Tab if you do happen to use the lower quality legacy text generator or if you use Title 3D. If you carelessly place text using the wireframe, it's very easy to place it on an odd line which will lower the quality and soften the text (or any other graphic for that matter).
Another reason is commonly experienced - larger lines of text might be cut off by the wireframe. If you were keyframing a large text block, using the point controls is really the only way to go. Get in the habit of ALWAYS moving text around with point controls and NOT the wireframe.
I would say that most of the rookies out there probably just move wireframes around: not good technique!
Legacy Text Generators
Thursday, June 1, 2006
