Education, RocketStock

Keyboard Shortcut: Adjust Kerning in After Effects

Comments

Finding that your text just doesn’t look right? Here’s a very quick way to adjust kerning in After Effects.

Top image via Shutterstock

Kerning is a typographical term that refers to the distance between font characters, it’s specific in referring the the space between individual letters.

For motion graphics artists, you are probably well versed in kerning text for various projects. This simple quick tip will help you adjust kerning without ever having to lift your fingers off the keyboard.

Adjust Kerning in After Effects

AE_Adjust_Kerning_Shortcut

When working with text, you will probably find yourself working with ALL CAPS fonts — especially if you are working on title sequences or commercial work.

What you may not know, is that when you use a regular font with the CAPS LOCK button on — the font characters default to regular kerning. The font assumes that characters will be traditionally typed, with only one capital letter — if any.

Fixing this is as easy as holding the Option button (or Alt on PC).

RocketStock_Kerning

If the kerning is off on just a few characters, just place the cursor in between the letters. Then hold down Option and use the left or right arrow key to adjust the kerning.

Also be sure to know how to best adjust the type of fonts you are using, specifically getting a nice look if a type is serif or sans-serif.