How do I add multiple lines of text in iMovie?

Question

simon_a6 Author

Level 1

101 points

How do I add multiple lines of text in iMovie?

This is a question I have read a few times, but the answers seem ridiculous.

I just want to use an effect like the Fairy Dust, and have multiple lines of text.... like:

GET READY

LET'S BEGIN

That sort of thing. But you can't. I would think you can shift and Enter to go to the next line, or increase font to do it. But in 2021... can iMovie STILL not allow you to do multi lines of text in the Titles??

If not, I'll just abandon the project.

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 11.5

Posted on Aug 17, 2021 1:51 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Aug 17, 2021 2:31 PM in response to simon_a6

Yes, you are right. With that particular font (Pixie Dust) the text does get smaller and smaller with each new line. It does not happen that way with other fonts, like for example Horizontal Blur where the text stays the same original size with each line.

A workaround would be to create a new project for the purpose. Add the clip or background on which you want to create the title. Place the Pixie Dust title above the clip. Select and delete all of the template text in the title so that all you have is the Pixie Dust moving across with no text.. Share out the clip. Import it back into your original master project and add the Horizontal Blur title on top. Type in your multiple lines of text. You might experiment with titles other than Horizontal Blur.

When done you will have the pixie dust moving across your Horizontal Blue title.

-- Rich

Reply

Answer 2

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Aug 17, 2021 1:58 PM in response to simon_a6

Hold down the Option key and hit return at the end of each line.

-- Rich

Reply

Answer 3

simon_a6 Author

Level 1

101 points

Aug 17, 2021 2:31 PM in response to Rich839

Oh my goodness me... all that just to get the text with the Pixie Dust.

It honestly amazes me that in 2021, we cannot just use that 'font' and magic... with a carriage return.

I also tried it with the 'light shining' one. Same result.

It's rubbish. Sorry to be so negative, but for a modern App, it's honestly rubbish at simple stuff like that.

I cannot even adjust the 'dipped volume' to the level I want it... when a voiceover is added.

And if I do add a voiceover and 'start"... it dips that whole time. so it doesn't sense when the voice is speaking... so I have no idea how to make the background audio raise, when the speaking has stopped.

It's free. And it really should be!

Reply

Answer 4

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Aug 17, 2021 2:59 PM in response to simon_a6

Ages? It took me two minutes.

Look, the Pixie Dust title won't do what you want. There is no "should" about it. It was designed to work a specific way. So use another title. If you don't want to do that, then use the two minute workaround that I gave you.

And, no, you haven't fully read the Change Volume item in the help menu. If you had, you would have seen how to use keyframes to adjust the volume of clips.

https://help.apple.com/imovie/mac/10.1/#/mov3b5ded23e

-- Rich

Reply

Answer 5

simon_a6 Author

Level 1

101 points

Aug 17, 2021 2:00 PM in response to Rich839

If I do that, the text disappears or goes REALLY tiny.

Reply

Answer 6

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Aug 17, 2021 2:37 PM in response to simon_a6

The problem is that you haven't taken the time to understand the software that you are using. Here's an online help menu:

https://help.apple.com/imovie/mac/10.1/

Type in Change Volume to solve your voiceover issue.

-- Rich

Reply

Answer 7

simon_a6 Author

Level 1

101 points

Aug 17, 2021 3:05 PM in response to Rich839

I do like that comment: "There is no should about it". When one types into a box, and you hit the Return, you kind of expect it to go to the next line. Unless you are using a "Single line field", which this doesn't appear to be.

So yes, I expected it do that... and when I did the CTRL + ENTER, I didn't expect it to all go tiny. Again... why would it do that?

I'll look at your option. It maybe 2 mins, but I am not a fan of "faff". But sometimes faff is needed I suppose, if something doesn't do quite what you expect.

Regarding the volume: noted. Just kind of odd how it dips the volume of the entire voiceover you add, when you might only speak for 5 seconds, but it runs for 20... so I guess you have to do the voiceover. And then go back, split up the background audio, and raise and lower the sections as you please.

Reply

Answer 8

Rich839

Level 8

48,156 points

Aug 17, 2021 3:22 PM in response to simon_a6

Not sure what you are describing with the voiceover volume. If there is an extraneous portion of the voiceover clip it can be trimmed off.

Also, if you select the voiceover clip and then click on the loudspeaker icon in the toolbar at the upper right of the screen, you will see a box that can be checked that says "lower the volume of other clips". You would click on the clip whose volume you want to remain the same.

Anyway, I think we have accomplished all that we can with this particular thread.

-- Rich

Reply

Answer 9

simon_a6 Author

Level 1

101 points

Aug 17, 2021 2:39 PM in response to Rich839

I have... you click the Volume icon and you can disable it from lowering the volume, but when you enable, and you slide it to the left... it still doesn't allow you to go almost to the top.

Sorry but that method to use the Pixie Dust would take simply ages... when I should just be able to "CTRL or SHIFT and Enter" to go down a carriage return. Simple, like most Apple stuff it.

Steve Jobs: "It just works".

In this, I believe, very simple requirement... it doesn't.

Reply

How do I add multiple lines of text in iMovie?

Similar questions