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This article covers the Text Resource, PIXERA's built-in resource for adding text to your project.
Text Resource Anatomy
In the Resources pane there is a button at the bottom left that looks like a “T”. Select it to create a Text Resource automatically created with the name “Unnamed Text”. This will appear in whatever folder you have selected at the time of creation.
With your Text Resource selected in the Resource pane look to the inspector on the right. There are several parameters here you can use to customize your Text Resource:
Name
The Name parameter allows you to rename the Text Resource to something useful. In this example its Name is “Title Template”
Text
This is where you put in the text you'd like to have on your Screen or Display.
Load Textfile
If you have a .txt file on disk that you'd like to load use the Load Textfile parameter to search for the .txt file on disk. Once loaded your text will appear in the Text box above the Load Textfile button.
Line Height
This parameter determines the size of your text within your Text Resource. This number is the number of pixels in height your text is.
Font
This parameter allows you to select one of many standard fonts loaded into PIXERA. If you would like to load a custom font you can do so by selecting the Load Font File button, navigating to your font and selecting it. TTF formats are compatible with PIXERA.
Below the Load Font Button are options for both horizontal and vertical justification.
DMX
For more information on the DMX parameter check out the ArtNet/sACN DMX Input Patching in version 25.1.
Using a Text Resource on a Layer
One way to use a Text Resource is on a Layer. You will need to have a Resource loaded into the Layer in order for the Text Resource to be seen in Preview and in Output. The Resource type can be pre-rendered content pieces, Live Inputs (2.0), or a Color Resource.
Common Use Case
Color Resources are a common Resource used in conjunction with a Text Resource since it allows users to apply single colors to the text. If pre-rendered content is used instead of a Color Resource then the visual of that pre-rendered content will show through the applied Text Resource much like a mask in a Key/Fill workflow.
To apply your Text Resource, drag and drop it onto the box to the right of your Layer thumbnail. If done successfully your text will appear in your workspace on your Display or Screen.
Using a Text Resource on one or multiple Clips
When you use a Text Resource on a Layer an additional parameter is exposed per Clip loaded onto the Layer. You can find this parameter by selecting the Clip and looking to in the inspector under the Clip tab. Scroll all the way to the bottom and look for the parameter called Text.
Twirl down the arrow and type something in the box provided.
Text Override
The original text will remain in your Text Resource within your Resource pane, however by using Clip workflow whatever is written within the Text parameter in the inspector of your Clip will override the original text.
If this workflow is one you intend to use you can think of the Text Resource within the Resources pane as a kind of template for multiple text needs.
This workflow works if there is one Clip in a Layer that has a Text Resource applied to it. This workflow works if there are multiple Clips in a Layer that has a Text Resource applied to it.
Crossfading
Currently crossfading does not work with multiple Clips that have a Text Resource applied to it.
PIXERA 25.1 RC 1 | 25. April 2025 | T.M.