AE expression for "length of text layer" for lower thirds nameplate

[R***@adobeforums.com]

Hello everyone,

Is there a way to measure the total width (and height) of a text layer, to automatically update the length (and height) of a shape layer? I produce web news segments with 7-15 lower thirds displays for each video. I'm looking for a more efficient way to re-size each nameplate. Currently I manually re-size each shape layer to fit the name. Is there an expression that will update the shape layer, based on the length (in pixels) of the text layer?

See an example video of what I'm talking about:
<http://dallasvoice.com/dvtv_track.php?s=345>
(look for the nameplates that animate in at the beginning of each interview)

I've read everything I can get my hands on, but nothing has helped. Any help would be appreciated!
-RY

[M***@adobeforums.com]

Is there a way to measure the total width (and height) of a text layer,
to automatically update the length (and height) of a shape layer?




Nope. You need to apply a sampleImage() to your text layer and probe for its min/ max dimensions. Check Dan Ebberts' collision detection example on his site ( <http://www.motionscript.com> ) for reference.

Mylenium

[Todd Kopriva]

Here's a Community Help search <http://community.adobe.com/help/search.html?q=width+height+text+layer&l=aftereffects_product_adobelr> that brings up a few different answers.

I think that the best solution is the one on the AE Enhancers site linked to from the last line of this page <http://help.adobe.com/en_US/AfterEffects/9.0/WS3878526689cb91655866c1103906c6dea-7a00a.html>.

[r***@adobeforums.com]

Don't know about expressions, but you can do it through scripting. Boy, was I glad when they added that.

-Rich