Skip to main content
S
Scott.C.
Inspiring
July 16, 2025
Open for Voting

Change Point Text Layer Paragraph Alignment Behavior to NOT MOVE

  • July 16, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 171 views

I don't understand the default behavior of the paragraph alignment tool within After Effects when using point text. When changing from, left aligned, to centered aligned the text jumps halfway across the screen. Never once have I wanted this outcome. I'm not sure who this default behavior serves. If I've placed the text in the middle of the screen but realize after the fact that I have defaulted to left align., I just want the text to remain in place but change the alignment. The way it is currently I have to either manually realign the text in the middle or find the align panel etc. 

 

This may seem like a small thing but this has probably happened 1000s of times over my carreer at this point and I have never once understood why this was the default behaivor. Seems like an easy win. 

 

    2 replies

    Roland Kahlenberg
    Roland Kahlenberg
    Legend
    July 22, 2025

    It's mostly about setting the baseline at expected location - 

    Left Aligned Point Text, its baseline is left edge of first line
    Center Aligned Point Text, its baseline is center of first line
    Right Aligned Point Text, its baseline is right edge of first line 

    And it's also about Point of Origin for the Point Text Layer. The fix is to use Expressions to lock the Anchor Point and Position. I've also got a script that's done but I'm waiting to make it available once I complete another 8 or so scripts. The script solution doesn't require expressions but it will automatically change the position value to offset the built-in/default behavior.

     






    Very Advanced After Effects Training | Adaptive & Responsive Toolkits | Intelligent Design Assets (IDAs) | MoGraph Design System DEV
      Sterphy
      Sterphy
      Known Participant
      July 21, 2025

      Agreed. It's a ridiculous default behaviour - I have no idea what use it could have

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices