The Style tab lets you change colors, textures, add style layers, extrude and bevel text. It's the tab that controls how your text looks and feels. From here you can also add shadows, glows and outlines to your titles.
Choosing Color and Texture
To choose a color, go to the Style tab and click on the color swatch or click on the color picker icon to sample a color. You can also switch the color value mode to either HEX or DEC (RGB) fields when typing in specific colors.
Video: Color Picker
To apply a gradient, select the Gradient radio button and select the amount of colors and the type of gradient you're looking for from the drop down menu. Adjust the gradient to your liking and click OK to apply the gradient.
To apply a texture, click on the Texture radio button and then click on the color/texture swatch to open the file browser and select a texture from your computer. Titler Pro comes with a variety of textures to get you started.
After selecting a texture, the texture will be applied to your paragraph.
You can also choose to use videos as textures. Click on the Texture radio button and then click on the color/texture swatch to browse your computer for a video file.
If you would like to shorten the length of a video, right-click on the color/texture swatch and select "Trim Video."
This will open the Video Trimmer, where you can set in and out points for your video. You can choose to loop the trimmed video by checking the "Loop video" checkbox.
Video: Video Trimmer
Note: When a texture is applied, you can use the following tools to control it.
Move and Resize Handle
Click on the Move and Resize Handle to move the position of your texture in the workspace area.
You can manipulate the texture by adjusting its size and position. Use the on-screen controls in the workspace area to change the size and position of your texture.
Video: Move and Resize Handle
Stretch to Paragraph
You can check the "Stretch to Paragraph" box to make your texture expand to the size of your paragraph.
This will make a texture expand to cover your whole paragraph instead of being applied to each character individually. This option works best with higher resolution images.
Video: Stretch To Paragraph
Map to Sides
When the "Map to Sides" box is checked, Titler will apply the texture to the sides of an extruded paragraph.
This is what a paragraph with a texture looks when the "Map to Sides" box is checked:
Note: Map to Sides can only be checked when Environment Map is off.
Video: Map To Sides
Environment Map
Environment Map lets you use a texture as an environment that becomes reflected on your title.
This is how a title with a texture used as an Environment Map looks:
Video: Environment Map
Titler Pro comes with the option of using Normal Maps. Normal Maps allow you to apply a texture map which reacts to your light setup. This helps add a layer of realism to your title. Click on the "Material" button and select from a pool of Normal Maps.
Video: Normal Maps
Adding More Style Layers
You can build on your title by adding more style layers to your paragraphs. These come in the form of 3D style layers and 2D style layers. 3D layers have texture and bevel, whereas 2D layers have soften and the ability to add effects to layers.
Select a style layer to add from the drop down menu and adjust it to your liking. You will have all the same style options as before, with the ability to change colors, apply textures and gradients.
After applying your changes, it's time to add some extrusion and apply a bevel. If using textures for your outline, check the "Map to Sides" box to apply your texture on the extruded area of your outline as well. You will always have the option of adjusting layer depth, outline thickness and offset settings.
Creating Extrusion and Bevel
Extrusion is necessary in the creation of realistic 3D titles, it adds depth and weight to an object. To extrude a style layer, drag the "Extrusion" slider or enter a number to extrude that layer. In this example, we will extrude our star shape.
Extrusion controls allow you to precisely set the amount of extrusion of your objects. Fine tune your settings and play with the layer depth sliders to set your look. Keep in mind that while extrusion might not be noticeable when looking at an object straight on, it will be noticeable when an object is rotated or moving, keeping an eye out for this is important when your title animations move in 3D space.
Now that the title is set, it's time to add a bevel. Bevels help smooth edges and give extruded objects a more natural, less jagged look associated with 3D computer generated graphics. In short, it makes your object smoother and more natural looking. From the Style Tab, navigate to the Advanced drop-down menu, and right click on the graph to select a preset bevel style. For this example, we'll select the Single Curve option.
Click and drag points on the graph to adjust your bevel parameters. Use the slider to choose a bevel size or enter a value. Additional check boxes allow you to include bevels on the backside and inside of your style layer. Finally, adjust the shininess of the bevel, which acts in relationship to your lighting.
