Using the Number and Timecode Generators

You can insert a Number or Timecode generator into an existing text object, or create an independent Number or Timecode object. A generator is like a variable that you can program to show a changing value; for example, a number can increase in steps or a timecode can match the current frame's timecode.

Inserting a Number or Timecode

Insert a generator when you want the Number or Timecode to appear in the same object as the existing text.

Note: The characters created with each Number and Timecode generator are treated as single characters. You cannot edit the individual characters of the Number or Timecode generator.

To insert a Number or Timecode generator into an existing text object:

1. Select the text object.
2. Do one of the following:
• In the Text Editor, click the text at the point you want to insert the Number or Timecode.

The cursor flashes at the point of insertion.



• In the Toolbar (F3), click the Text tool . In the viewport (selected text box), click the text at the point you want to insert the Number or Timecode. Use the Arrow keys to move in between the characters.



Note: Since spaces are treated as characters, you can insert the Number or Timecode generator in between the spaces of a text string.

3. Click Number or Timecode.

If you clicked Number, the default 0 is added to the text object in the viewport. In the Text Editor, [#] represents the timecode character.

If you clicked Timecode, the default 00:00:00:00 is added to the text object in the viewport. In the Text Editor, [TC] represents the timecode character.

4. Set the Number or Timecode options. For more information, see Text Insert Options.

Creating a Number or Timecode Object

You can add a Number or Timecode generator as a separate text object.

To create a Number or Timecode generator:

1. In the Toolbar (F3), click the Text tool .
2. Click Number or Timecode.

If you clicked Number, the default 0 appears in the text box in the viewport. If you clicked Timecode, the default 1 appears in the text box in the viewport.

3. Set the Number or Timecode options. For more information, see Text Insert Options.

Editing an Existing Number or Timecode Generator

Once you insert a Number or Timecode generator into a text object, or added a separate Number or Timecode generator, you can edit the settings at any time.

To edit a Number or Timecode generator:

1. Select the text object.
2. In the Toolbar (F3), click the Text tool .

The text box and flashing cursor appear in the viewport.

3. Use the Left Arrow or Right Arrow to move the cursor in front of (to the left of the first character) the Number or Timecode.



Note: The cursor moves between each text character. Because the Number or Timecode generator is treated as a single character, the cursor does not move between individual characters of the Number or Timecode.

When the cursor is placed in front of the Number or Timecode, the respective button becomes available in the Text Controls panel.

4. Click Number or Timecode, and adjust the necessary settings.