Text Animation Modes

The entire text element is treated as a single unit for animation purposes.

• -One set of transform and property tracks in the timeline
• -Position, rotation, scale, opacity, and all fill properties can be keyframed
• -Any animation applied affects the entire text block simultaneously

Use for: Most basic text animations — fades, slides, scale entries and exits.

The text is divided into individual lines (determined by line breaks — both hard returns and soft wraps). Each line is an independently animatable unit.

• -The timeline shows a track for each line
• -Properties animatable per line: position, rotation, scale, opacity, fill color, blur
• -Lines animate independently but remain part of the text element

Use for: Staggered line reveals, one-line-at-a-time subtitle animations, cascading title entries.

The text is divided into individual words. Each word is independently animatable.

• -The timeline shows a track per word (or the stagger system controls timing automatically)
• -All per-character properties are available per word
• -Word boundaries are defined by spaces; punctuation is attached to the preceding word

Use for: Typewriter-style effects, highlighted word animations, flowing conversational caption reveals.

The text is divided into individual glyphs. Each character is independently animatable.

• -The timeline can show a track per character (or the stagger system automates timing)
• -All transform properties (position, rotation, scale, skew, opacity, color, blur) are available per character
• -This mode enables scramble/shuffle text effects, wave-like motion, 3D flip-in effects, and other expressive typographic animations

Performance note: Character mode on long strings generates many active animation tracks. See Best Practices for Character mode performance guidance.

Changing the animation mode on a text element that already has animation data will prompt a conversion dialog:

• -Convert: Existing animation data is redistributed to the new granularity as best as possible
• -Reset: Animation data is cleared and the text element starts fresh in the new mode
• -Cancel: No change is made