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J
jakec71401806
Inspiring
December 16, 2022
Answered

When adding an expression to the Source Text property of a Text Layer, the text auto right justifies

  • December 16, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 1666 views

As the title says, when I add an expression to the source text it auto-right aligns itself and won't let me change it. It doesn't matter what the expression is, just altt+clicking the source text stopwatch is causing this. I have 6 text layers in my project, all with expression, but it's only happening on one of the text layers.

 

I found this closed forum about the exact same issue from 2 years ago but with no solution

 

Any help will be massively appreciated!

Thanks

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer jakec71401806

In case anybody stumbles across this in the future, I found a fix! It's not the fix I would have liked and would very much would like this bug sorted.

All I did was make a new text layer and relink all my expressions to that new text layer... It's tedious but it worked so at least there's that

3 replies

R
Community Expert
Rick GerardCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 16, 2022

The first screenshot shows the default text.sourceText expression you get when you add an expression to a text layer. This does nothing to the text layer, so the problem lies in another layer or property with another expression.

 

To figure things out, select all layers in your composition and press the "u" key twice to look for modified properties. Somewhere in the timeline, there is an expression that positions the text layer in relation to the background layer. Your problem has nothing to do with the expression you have shown us. A workflow description and an embedded instead of an attached screenshot (use the toolbar or drag to the reply field) would help us help you solve the problem.

 

This screenshot shows that nothing happens to a text layer when you create an expression with the default text.sourceText placeholder. You have actually to enter something to make the layer change position. 

There is no style you can add to the Source Text property that will change the paragraph style in the text layer. There are the only style properties available. 

  • Font
  • Font Size
  • Faux Bold
  • Faux Italics
  • All Caps
  • Small Caps
  • Tracking
  • Leading
  • Auto Leading
  • Baseline Shift
  • Fill (enable/disable)
  • Fill Color
  • Stroke (enable/disable)
  • Stroke Color
  • Stroke Width
J
jakec71401806Author
Inspiring
December 16, 2022

Thanks for the reply. I'm aware that the expression shown was the default source text expression. My problem was that as soon as anything was added to the expression field for the source text property or I just alt+click the stopwatch, my text became right justified. It wasn't being affected by any other layer or expression (I tried deleting every layer except the one with the problem and it still had the same issue) and creating a brand new text layer and linking everything back together as it was with the original layer fixed it. So with that and the 2 year old post with the same issue, I've concluded that it's a bug

R
Community Expert
Rick GerardCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 16, 2022

I cannot reproduce the bug. Never seen the bug. Maybe it is related to a font or something else related to that layer. If replacing the layer solves the problem, then something else is going on in the composition. "uu" is the only way I know of to try and chase down the problem.

J
jakec71401806AuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
December 16, 2022

In case anybody stumbles across this in the future, I found a fix! It's not the fix I would have liked and would very much would like this bug sorted.

All I did was make a new text layer and relink all my expressions to that new text layer... It's tedious but it worked so at least there's that

Mylenium
Mylenium
Legend
December 16, 2022

What are your language settings? What fonts? Sounds more like an issue in the font engine. A screenshot might also help.

 

Mylenium 

J
jakec71401806Author
Inspiring
December 16, 2022

I'm writing in English using 'Montserrat' as my font and Javascript as my expression engine. I've attached 2 screenshots, they're a bit big though sorry as I'm working on 2 screens, there's one with an expression and one without.

 

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