Text
Renders text as vector paths for laser output. Supports font selection, anchoring, scaling, letter spacing, and a trim parameter for typewriter-style reveal animation.
Inputs
| Port | Type | Default | Range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scale X | Scalar | 1.0 | −2–2 | Horizontal scale. At 1.0 text fits the frame at its natural aspect ratio; negative mirrors |
| Scale Y | Scalar | 1.0 | −2–2 | Vertical scale. At 1.0 text fits the frame at its natural aspect ratio; negative mirrors |
| Trim | Scalar | 0.0 | −1–1 | Reveals the text along its path. Animate from −1 to 1 for a typewriter effect |
| Spacing | Scalar | 1.0 | −0.5–2 | Letter spacing multiplier. 1 is the font's default, lower tightens, higher widens |
Outputs
| Port | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Frame | Frame | Vector text as laser paths |
Controls
- Font: pick a built-in or system font, or browse for a font file.
- Text: the string to render, edited on the node.
- Anchor: Left, Center, or Right.
- Resolution: Low, Medium, High, or Very High. Sets how densely the text paths are sampled.
Ideas
- Animate Trim with a Phasor for a typewriter effect that draws each letter in sequence, then erases it from the other end.
- Modulate Scale X and Scale Y with slow oscillators for dynamic titling that pulses or breathes.
- Drive Spacing from an envelope so words spread apart on a hit and snap back together.
Tips
- Font, text, and anchor are set on the node and can't be wired. Trim, scale, and spacing can be animated.
- Complex text with many characters uses more points and scanner time. Keep messages short for live performance.
- At Scale 1.0 the text is normalized to its longer axis. A single tall character fills the frame vertically and is narrower horizontally; a wide string fills the frame horizontally and is shorter vertically. Use Scale X and Scale Y independently to stretch or squash.