Apple Motion 4 - Manual (Page 817)

Flatten: In 3D groups, text characters on a path may be influenced by behaviors in ways
that interfere with linear alignment. For instance, a simulation behavior might pull nearby
text characters out of their plane. Selecting the Flatten checkbox forces text characters
to remain in a 2D plane. When Flatten is selected, the text can still interact with other
objects in 3D space, but only as a flattened image, like a card.
Unflattened text on a 3D path can weave
through other elements in a project.
Once Flatten is selected, the text characters no longer move in 3D space.
Flattened text image only exists in X and Y
and can only interact with other objects
as a flat card.
Use the following guidelines for the Flatten checkbox:
• The Flatten checkbox must be selected in order for text to receive reflections. If the
Flatten checkbox in the Layout pane of the Text tab (in the Inspector) is not selected,
the Reflections parameter does not appear in the Properties tab. For more information
on using reflections, see
Reflections .
• The Flatten checkbox must be selected in order to use the 2D transform tools in the
Toolbar (Select/Transform, Adjust Anchor Point, Adjust Shear, Adjust Drop Shadow,
Adjust Four Corner, and Adjust Crop—in the Properties tab of the Inspector or in the
Toolbar.
817 Chapter 13 Creating and Editing Text