How to perfectly distance letters

[vitor_9051]

What I want is to have a pixel perfect separation distance across each letter of a word:

So, from the very side edges the distance between each letter to another must be exactly the same.
Snap to grid was my first thought but it doesn't work because you will never get both sides of a letter to touch a grid line

Any suggestions?

[Roland Kahlenberg · Accepted solution]

You'll have to do this manually if you're looking to do it using AE's built-it features. The closest you'll get is with the Align-Distribute Tool/Panel. 

You can use Expressions; specifically, the sourceRectAtTime() method. 

Third party tools can provide a one-click solution - look for Align-Distribution tools but ensure it supports fixed gap calculations because not many do. I do have a multi-script coming out soon that will handle this with a one-click  solution if you're willing to pay for such a solution and you're willing to wait a week or so. 

HTH



 

[vitor_9051]

You are right about Align-Distribute Tool/Panel. It gets close but not pixel perfect.
I'm looking for a pixel perfect solution and I did what you said but couldn't find a good plugin. I've tried ReAlign Extension to no avail. Is there a plugin you know about?
Also chatgpt suggested this:

Create each shape in its own shape layer, with anchor points centered.

Manually position the first and last shapes at desired X positions.

Use Distribute Horizontally on that pair.

Manually place the intermediate shapes at the exact pixel gaps you want.

Select all layers and use Distribute Horizontally again to enforce even overall placement, then align vertically

I couldn't get it right but maybe I didn't understand.

[Roland Kahlenberg]

The built-in Align & Distribute tool doesn't provide a fixed gap setting nor will it work if your layers are sized differently. I'm also not familiar of a third part tool that provides such a solution but I will be surprised if there isn't at least one out there now.

I am actually about to complete a set of 20+ scripts and one of it does allow for a fixed gap set between layers and they can be sized differently, are child layers and theit Anchor Point can also be anywhere you choose. Below is a screen capture showing its UI and how I set it up with different sizex text characters and Anchor Points and a Fixed Gap setting.

If you want to test it, drop me a DM and we can continue from there.

As for ChatGPT and other LLMs, they generally do a decent job and results vary and largely based on your prompt. The script I shared was the result of me and a couple of LLMs. They're largely productivity tools that can code but it's not an After Effects expert although it may seem so, at times. From the first line - 

- Create each shape in its own shape layer, with anchor points centered.

I know it's not going to provide a good response because this is a common user-error, thinking that the position of the Anchor Point relative to the layer is a critical requirement to achieve the desired result. Then again, I've not seen your prompt. So, the issue could be a poor quality prompt leading to the response you received. 

HTH

[Warren Heaton]

Have you tried enabling Snapping and then using a Solid as a spacer as you drag and drop the edges to each other?

If you use a monospace font (if that's an option design wise), that should provide consistent spacing between the characters.