Skip Cell Flag for Text Layers
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I have a project configured to gather text for lower thirds from a Google Sheets spreadsheet. However, not every cell in each row of my sheet contains data. I’ve used the {{off}} flag to turn off visibility for the connected layer which works great. But using this method, I have to manually re-stagger the text layers in the composition such that each visible layer is played in succession without breaks. It seems there is an option to skip a cell when using a spreadsheet to call footage or other files, but not for text.
Is it possible to create a conditional target on a layer based on visibility (or maybe some other specific flag) so that if the layer is visible, the In Point of a subsequent text layer can be shifted to the Out Point of the target, otherwise if the target text layer is not visible, a subsequent text layer can be shifted to the the Out Point of a different layer in the timeline?
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@BusterCherry Apologies for the late reply on this. We don’t have this feature currently implemented, but we do intend implement a similar design that you’ve proposed.
The Templater Settings effect should have an additional parameter that is perhaps labeled something such as “Fallback Target Layer”. This param would essentially allow a user to specify different ways to “search” for a layer target if the one selected is not enabled / visible.
We have this in our queue for feature improvements and your post validates our need to have this in there.
In the meantime, you might be able to use an “invisible” video of varying lengths that can act as a proxy to what you want (i.e. a layer shifting in the timeline a certain amount of seconds / frames depending on your re-versioning data).
Please let us know if this helps or if we can provide more clarification.
Many thanks again for your patience!
Best,
Arie
