[Resolved] Computer Terminal Animation -- any ideas?

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

Hey everyone –

I’m trying to make a cutscene for a game, and want to replicate a computer terminal…black background, green text, blinking cursor, etc.

Is there any way I can get text to appear letter-by-letter as if it was being typed on screen?

I initially thought of using a horizontal scrolling mask over pre-typed text, but didn’t think it would produce the desired effect, as you’d be able to discern the mask as letters are being revealed.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[import]uid: 19765 topic_id: 22969 reply_id: 322969[/import]

#2

I might be wrong, but I think Text Candy has an effect like this? It’s worth buying if you’re working with text a lot, in my opinion.

You can also try updating the text string one letter at a time with a delay, or if you use a mask just shift it over in increments that reveal the full letter. [import]uid: 120 topic_id: 22969 reply_id: 91743[/import]

#3

Interesting, first thing I thought of is to use a timer and invoke it a couple of times per second and then write the text in the timer’s listener callback - just using a plain newRetinaText, increasing the length of the displayed text by one after every invocation.

It might be slightly different than your current approach, as it requires a text box over the image, and it’s not part of the image itself. just an idea though.

–wunderwuzzi [import]uid: 118947 topic_id: 22969 reply_id: 91746[/import]

#4

If your cut-scene isn’t very long, you could use a screen capture tool and record you actually typing out the text in whatever font/background you desire. [import]uid: 7116 topic_id: 22969 reply_id: 91749[/import]

#5

If you want to build it up using an animation, you need to be using system or courier font in a quite small size.
terminals used to use letter shapes made up of no bigger than 11 x 16 pixels, and in a non-proportional font.
As you typed, the space next to the last character would have a flashing cursor, so you didnt just get letter after letter appearing.
You would need to make the letters appear one by one in a timer.
The last letter needs to be followed by an animated sprite showing either a flashing green block or underscore character.
For added realism, the letters wouldnt all hit the screen at a uniform rate.
people type words, then pause slightly before the next one, and now and then they hit backspace to correct things.
if you need to state exactly what is typed, then this, or record a real screen as you type, and use that as an ingame video, is the way to go.
[import]uid: 108660 topic_id: 22969 reply_id: 91759[/import]

#6

There is a library for doing typewriter text (like you asked) here : http://www.infuseddreams.com/store/products/typewriter-library/ [import]uid: 84637 topic_id: 22969 reply_id: 91767[/import]

#7

>>There is a library for doing typewriter text<<

Bargain [import]uid: 108660 topic_id: 22969 reply_id: 91768[/import]

#8

Perfect – thanks for all the suggestions! [import]uid: 19765 topic_id: 22969 reply_id: 91783[/import]