I want to maintain the spacing between two text layers.

Question

Hello. Despite trying with ChatGPT's assistance, I couldn't get the correct answer, so I'm posting my question here.

I have two text layers named "Ch_Name" and "C&C" in After Effects.

The text layer "C&C" is positioned next to the text in the "Ch_Name" layer.

I want the position of the "C&C" text layer to automatically adjust and maintain the same spacing relative to the "Ch_Name" text layer when the content of "Ch_Name" text layer changes in length.

Could you please advise how to write an expression to achieve this?

Rick Gerard · Answer

If you add this expression to the position property of the second layer and it is below the first layer, the text will always be 20 pixels right of the second layer as long as the baseline shift is set to zero and the paragraph justification is set to Left.

ref = thisComp.layer(index-1);
p = ref.position;
L1 = ref.sourceRectAtTime();
L2 = sourceRectAtTime();
pad = 20; // 20 pixel pad
rtEdge = L1.left + L1.width;
x = L2.left;
p + [rtEdge + pad + x, 0]

You can get a lot fancier, but this will do for a basic setup. It should give you a starting point.

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