JosiahSiegel/ffmpeg-kinetic-captions

CRITICAL GUIDELINES

Windows File Path Requirements

MANDATORY: Always Use Backslashes on Windows for File Paths

When using Edit or Write tools on Windows, you MUST use backslashes (\) in file paths, NOT forward slashes (/).

Documentation Guidelines

NEVER create new documentation files unless explicitly requested by the user.

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Kinetic Captions Master Guide (2025-2026)

Quick Reference - Kinetic Effects

| Effect | ASS Code | Duration | Use Case | |--------|----------|----------|----------| | Word Grow | {\fscx80\fscy80\t(0,200,\fscx120\fscy120)\t(200,400,\fscx100\fscy100)} | 400ms | Karaoke highlight | | Pop Bounce | {\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)} | 200ms | Word appear | | Elastic | {\fscx40\fscy40\t(0,100,\fscx130\fscy130)\t(100,200,\fscx90\fscy90)\t(200,350,\fscx100\fscy100)} | 350ms | High energy | | Spring Bounce | {\move(540,1100,540,960,0,300)\t(0,150,\fscx110\fscy110)\t(150,300,\fscx100\fscy100)} | 300ms | Entry from below | | Shake | {\t(0,50,\pos(545,960))\t(50,100,\pos(535,960))\t(100,150,\pos(540,960))} | 150ms | Impact emphasis | | Karaoke Fill | {\kf100}Word | 1000ms | Progressive highlight | | Karaoke + Grow | {\k80\t(0,200,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(200,400,\fscx100\fscy100)} | 800ms | Highlight + scale |

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Why Kinetic Captions Matter

• 85% of social video watched without sound
• Word-level animation increases retention by 25-40%
• Scale/bounce effects signal "this word matters NOW"
• Karaoke highlighting guides viewer timing with audio
• Kinetic typography is expected on TikTok/Shorts/Reels

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Section 1: Karaoke with Word-Grow Effect

The word-grow highlight is the most requested kinetic effect - words scale up when highlighted, then return to normal size.

Basic Word-Grow Karaoke

[Script Info]
ScriptType: v4.00+
PlayResX: 1080
PlayResY: 1920
WrapStyle: 0

[V4+ Styles]
Format: Name, Fontname, Fontsize, PrimaryColour, SecondaryColour, OutlineColour, BackColour, Bold, Italic, Underline, StrikeOut, ScaleX, ScaleY, Spacing, Angle, BorderStyle, Outline, Shadow, Alignment, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Encoding
Style: KaraokeGrow,Arial Black,80,&H00FFFFFF,&H0000FFFF,&H00000000,&H40000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,5,0,2,10,10,280,1

[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
; Word grows when karaoke highlight reaches it
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.00,0:00:05.00,KaraokeGrow,,0,0,0,,{\k80\t(0,200,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(200,400,\fscx100\fscy100)}This {\k60\t(0,150,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(150,300,\fscx100\fscy100)}is {\k100\t(0,250,\fscx120\fscy120)\t(250,500,\fscx100\fscy100)}AMAZING

Understanding the Animation Tags

{\k80\t(0,200,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(200,400,\fscx100\fscy100)}Word

Breaking it down:
- \k80 = Karaoke duration (80 centiseconds = 0.8 seconds)
- \t(0,200,...) = Animation from 0-200ms
- \fscx115\fscy115 = Scale to 115% (grow)
- \t(200,400,...) = Animation from 200-400ms
- \fscx100\fscy100 = Scale back to 100% (shrink)

Critical: Time Units Differ!

| Tag | Unit | 0.5 seconds = | |-----|------|---------------| | \k | Centiseconds | \k50 | | \t() | Milliseconds | \t(0,500,...) |

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Advanced Word-Grow Patterns

Pattern 1: Grow + Color Change

Words grow AND change color when highlighted:

[V4+ Styles]
Style: GrowColor,Arial Black,80,&H00FFFFFF,&H0000FFFF,&H00000000,&H40000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,5,0,2,10,10,280,1
;                                 White     Yellow highlight

[Events]
; Karaoke fill (kf) + grow + color transition
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:03.00,GrowColor,,0,0,0,,{\kf60\t(0,200,\fscx115\fscy115\c&H00FFFF&)\t(200,400,\fscx100\fscy100)}Check {\kf80\t(0,200,\fscx115\fscy115\c&H00FFFF&)\t(200,400,\fscx100\fscy100)}this {\kf100\t(0,250,\fscx120\fscy120\c&H00FFFF&)\t(250,500,\fscx100\fscy100)}out

Pattern 2: Grow + Bounce (Overshoot)

Spring physics overshoot for more dynamic feel:

; Grows to 120%, bounces back to 95%, settles at 100%
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:03.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\k80\t(0,120,\fscx120\fscy120)\t(120,220,\fscx95\fscy95)\t(220,350,\fscx100\fscy100)}Bouncy

Pattern 3: Grow + Outline Pulse

Outline expands during highlight:

; Border/outline grows with text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:02.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\k100\t(0,200,\fscx115\fscy115\bord8)\t(200,400,\fscx100\fscy100\bord5)}IMPACT

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Word-Grow Timing by Platform

| Platform | Grow Duration | Shrink Duration | Max Scale | Animation Style | |----------|---------------|-----------------|-----------|-----------------| | TikTok | 100-150ms | 100-150ms | 115-120% | Fast, punchy | | YouTube Shorts | 150-200ms | 150-200ms | 110-115% | Smooth, readable | | Instagram Reels | 120-180ms | 120-180ms | 115-120% | Stylish, trendy |

TikTok Optimized (Fast)

; Quick 200ms total animation
{\k60\t(0,100,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}Fast

YouTube Shorts Optimized (Smooth)

; Smooth 350ms total animation
{\k80\t(0,175,\fscx112\fscy112)\t(175,350,\fscx100\fscy100)}Smooth

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Section 2: CapCut-Style Word Pop Effects

The word pop effect makes each word appear with a bounce, popularized by CapCut.

Basic Word Pop

[V4+ Styles]
Style: WordPop,Arial Black,84,&H00FFFFFF,&H0000FFFF,&H00000000,&H40000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,6,0,2,10,10,280,1

[Events]
; Each word starts at 50% scale, pops to 115%, settles at 100%
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:00.50,WordPop,,0,0,0,,{\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}This
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.30,0:00:00.80,WordPop,,0,0,0,,{\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}is
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.50,0:00:01.20,WordPop,,0,0,0,,{\c&H0000FFFF&\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx120\fscy120)\t(100,250,\fscx100\fscy100)}VIRAL

Word Pop with Stagger Delay

Words appear sequentially with overlapping timing:

| Word | Start | End | Delay from Previous | |------|-------|-----|---------------------| | Word 1 | 0.00s | 0.50s | - | | Word 2 | 0.25s | 0.75s | 250ms | | Word 3 | 0.50s | 1.00s | 250ms | | Word 4 | 0.75s | 1.25s | 250ms |

Elastic Word Pop (Multiple Bounces)

; More dramatic with multiple oscillations
; 40% → 130% → 90% → 105% → 100%
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:01.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fscx40\fscy40\t(0,100,\fscx130\fscy130)\t(100,200,\fscx90\fscy90)\t(200,350,\fscx105\fscy105)\t(350,500,\fscx100\fscy100)}ELASTIC

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Word Pop with Movement

Pop In from Below

; Word moves up while popping
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:01.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\move(540,1100,540,960,0,200)\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}BounceUp

Pop In from Side

; Word slides in from right while popping
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:01.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\move(1200,960,540,960,0,250)\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,120,\fscx110\fscy110)\t(120,250,\fscx100\fscy100)}SlideIn

Pop with Rotation

; Word rotates while appearing
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:01.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\frz-15\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,150,\frz0\fscx115\fscy115)\t(150,300,\fscx100\fscy100)}Twist

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Section 3: Spring Physics Animation

Natural-feeling bounce using spring physics formulas.

Spring Parameter Guide

| Parameter | Low Value | High Value | Effect | |-----------|-----------|------------|--------| | Damping | 2-3 | 5-8 | Less bouncy → More bouncy | | Frequency | 8-10 rad/s | 15-20 rad/s | Slow oscillation → Fast oscillation | | Amplitude | 5-10% | 15-25% | Subtle → Dramatic |

Damping Ratio Interpretation

• ζ < 0.5: Very bouncy, multiple oscillations
• ζ = 0.5-0.8: Balanced bounce, 1-2 oscillations
• ζ = 1.0: Critical damping (no overshoot)
• ζ > 1.0: Over-damped (sluggish)

Spring Bounce in ASS

Low Damping (Bouncy)

; Multiple oscillations: 120% → 90% → 105% → 98% → 100%
{\fscx80\fscy80\t(0,100,\fscx120\fscy120)\t(100,200,\fscx90\fscy90)\t(200,300,\fscx105\fscy105)\t(300,400,\fscx98\fscy98)\t(400,500,\fscx100\fscy100)}Bouncy

Medium Damping (Balanced)

; Single overshoot: 115% → 95% → 100%
{\fscx80\fscy80\t(0,120,\fscx115\fscy115)\t(120,250,\fscx95\fscy95)\t(250,400,\fscx100\fscy100)}Balanced

High Damping (Quick Settle)

; Minimal overshoot: 110% → 100%
{\fscx80\fscy80\t(0,150,\fscx110\fscy110)\t(150,300,\fscx100\fscy100)}Quick

Position Spring (Vertical Bounce)

; Word bounces to final position
; Starts 100px below, overshoots 20px above, settles
{\pos(540,1060)\t(0,150,\pos(540,940))\t(150,250,\pos(540,980))\t(250,350,\pos(540,960))}Position Bounce

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Section 4: Shake and Tremor Effects

Impact emphasis with controlled shake animation.

Horizontal Shake

; Shake left-right (±5px) then settle
{\pos(540,960)\t(0,50,\pos(545,960))\t(50,100,\pos(535,960))\t(100,150,\pos(542,960))\t(150,200,\pos(538,960))\t(200,250,\pos(540,960))}SHAKE

Decaying Impact Shake

; Strong shake that decays: 10px → 6px → 3px → 0px
{\pos(540,960)\t(0,50,\pos(550,960))\t(50,100,\pos(530,960))\t(100,160,\pos(546,960))\t(160,220,\pos(534,960))\t(220,280,\pos(543,960))\t(280,350,\pos(540,960))}IMPACT

Shake + Scale Combo

; Word shakes AND scales for maximum impact
{\fscx100\fscy100\pos(540,960)\t(0,50,\fscx120\fscy120\pos(545,960))\t(50,100,\fscx115\fscy115\pos(535,960))\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100\pos(540,960))}BOOM

Shake Amplitude Guidelines

| Font Size | Max Horizontal | Max Vertical | Notes | |-----------|----------------|--------------|-------| | 64-72px | 8px | 6px | Readable | | 76-84px | 12px | 10px | Noticeable | | 88-96px | 16px | 14px | Dramatic | | 100+px | 20px | 18px | Impact only |

Rule: Shake amplitude < 15% of font size for readability.

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Section 5: Typewriter and Reveal Effects

Character-by-character text reveal.

Character Reveal (Typewriter)

Each character appears sequentially:

; Manual character timing (50ms per character)
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:00.05,Style,,0,0,0,,H
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.05,0:00:00.10,Style,,0,0,0,,He
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.10,0:00:00.15,Style,,0,0,0,,Hel
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.15,0:00:00.20,Style,,0,0,0,,Hell
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.20,0:00:01.00,Style,,0,0,0,,Hello

Typewriter Speed Reference

| Speed | ms/character | Characters/second | Feel | |-------|--------------|-------------------|------| | Fast | 30-40ms | 25-33 | Energetic | | Normal | 50-70ms | 14-20 | Comfortable | | Slow | 80-120ms | 8-12 | Dramatic |

Word-by-Word Reveal

Less tedious than character reveal:

Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:00.30,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fad(100,0)}This
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.30,0:00:00.60,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fad(100,0)}is
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.60,0:00:00.90,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fad(100,0)}word
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.90,0:00:01.20,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fad(100,0)}by
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.20,0:00:02.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fad(100,0)}word

Reveal with Pop

Combine typewriter timing with pop animation:

; Word appears AND pops
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:00.50,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx110\fscy110)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}This
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.25,0:00:00.75,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx110\fscy110)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}is
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.50,0:00:01.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx110\fscy110)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}great

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Section 6: Color Transitions and Multi-Color Karaoke

Progressive Color Fill (Karaoke)

[V4+ Styles]
; Primary = unfilled color, Secondary = filled color
Style: ColorKaraoke,Arial Black,80,&H00FFFFFF,&H0000FFFF,&H00000000,&H40000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,5,0,2,10,10,280,1
;                                   White      Yellow

[Events]
; \kf creates smooth left-to-right color fill
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:03.00,ColorKaraoke,,0,0,0,,{\kf80}This {\kf60}fills {\kf100}smoothly

Multi-Color Gradient Karaoke

Words transition through multiple colors:

; Yellow → Orange → Red progression
[V4+ Styles]
Style: GradientK,Impact,80,&H0000FFFF,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,5,0,2,10,10,280,1

[Events]
; Use \t to add intermediate color during karaoke fill
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:02.00,GradientK,,0,0,0,,{\kf80\t(0,400,\2c&H0000A5FF&)}Word1 {\kf100\t(0,500,\2c&H0000A5FF&)}Word2
;                                                                  Orange midpoint

Color Flash on Highlight

; Word flashes bright color then returns
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:02.00,Style,,0,0,0,,{\k80\c&HFFFFFF&\t(0,100,\c&H00FFFF&)\t(100,400,\c&HFFFFFF&)}Flash

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Section 7: Platform-Specific Caption Styles

TikTok Viral Style

[V4+ Styles]
Style: TikTokViral,Arial Black,88,&H00FFFFFF,&H0000FFFF,&H00000000,&H40000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,6,0,2,10,10,320,1

[Events]
; Fast pop, high energy
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:00.40,TikTokViral,,0,0,0,,{\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,80,\fscx118\fscy118)\t(80,160,\fscx100\fscy100)}THIS
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.20,0:00:00.60,TikTokViral,,0,0,0,,{\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,80,\fscx118\fscy118)\t(80,160,\fscx100\fscy100)}IS
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.40,0:00:01.00,TikTokViral,,0,0,0,,{\c&H00FFFF&\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,100,\fscx125\fscy125)\t(100,200,\fscx100\fscy100)}VIRAL

TikTok Parameters:

• Font size: 84-96px
• Animation: 160-200ms total
• Pop scale: 115-125%
• Word delay: 150-250ms
• Max 3-5 words on screen

YouTube Shorts Professional

[V4+ Styles]
Style: ShortsPro,Montserrat,76,&H00FFFFFF,&H00FFFFFF,&H00333333,&H80000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,0,0,1,4,2,2,10,10,300,1

[Events]
; Smoother, more professional
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:00.60,ShortsPro,,0,0,0,,{\fscx80\fscy80\t(0,150,\fscx108\fscy108)\t(150,300,\fscx100\fscy100)}This
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.30,0:00:00.90,ShortsPro,,0,0,0,,{\fscx80\fscy80\t(0,150,\fscx108\fscy108)\t(150,300,\fscx100\fscy100)}is
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.60,0:00:01.40,ShortsPro,,0,0,0,,{\fscx80\fscy80\t(0,180,\fscx112\fscy112)\t(180,350,\fscx100\fscy100)}professional

YouTube Shorts Parameters:

• Font size: 72-84px
• Animation: 250-400ms total
• Pop scale: 108-115%
• Word delay: 250-350ms
• Max 4-6 words on screen

Instagram Reels Trendy

[V4+ Styles]
Style: ReelsTrend,Impact,82,&H00FFFFFF,&H00FF00FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,1,0,0,0,100,100,2,0,1,5,0,2,10,10,280,1

[Events]
; Stylish with slight rotation
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.00,0:00:00.50,ReelsTrend,,0,0,0,,{\frz-5\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,120,\frz0\fscx115\fscy115)\t(120,250,\fscx100\fscy100)}Trendy
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.25,0:00:00.75,ReelsTrend,,0,0,0,,{\frz5\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,120,\frz0\fscx115\fscy115)\t(120,250,\fscx100\fscy100)}Caption
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.50,0:00:01.20,ReelsTrend,,0,0,0,,{\c&H00FF00FF&\fscx50\fscy50\t(0,150,\fscx120\fscy120)\t(150,300,\fscx100\fscy100)}Style

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Section 8: Python Script for Kinetic Caption Generation

A full Python kinetic-caption generator that turns word-level transcripts into animated ASS subtitle files (combining all the word-grow, word-pop, spring-bounce, shake, reveal, and karaoke patterns above) lives in references/complete-generator.md. Load that reference when you need a ready-to-run script rather than building per-effect filter graphs by hand.

Pulse/Breathing Effect

# Text pulses 72 ± 8 pixels at ~1.5 Hz
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='SUBSCRIBE':fontsize='72+8*sin(t*9.42)':fontcolor=yellow:x=(w-tw)/2:y=h-150:borderw=3:bordercolor=black" \
  output.mp4
# 9.42 rad/s = 1.5 Hz (1.5 * 2π = 9.42)

Bounce Text Entry

# Text bounces from below (spring physics)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='BOUNCE':fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y='(h-th)/2-30*exp(-t*3)*sin(t*15)':borderw=3:bordercolor=black:enable='gte(t,1)'" \
  output.mp4

Scale Pop (Font Size Animation)

# Text pops from small to normal
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='POP':fontsize='if(lt(t,0.3),40+40*t/0.3,80)':fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=(h-th)/2:enable='gte(t,0.5)'" \
  output.mp4

Shake on Impact

# Text shakes with decaying amplitude
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 \
  -vf "drawtext=text='IMPACT':fontsize=100:fontcolor=white:x='(w-tw)/2+15*exp(-t*4)*sin(t*50)':y='(h-th)/2+10*exp(-t*4)*cos(t*47)':enable='gte(t,2)'" \
  output.mp4

Sequential Word Appear

# Multiple drawtext filters for word-by-word reveal
ffmpeg -f lavfi -i "color=c=black:s=1080x1920:d=5" \
  -vf "\
    drawtext=text='THIS':fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=h/2-80:alpha='if(lt(t,0.5),t*2,1)':enable='gte(t,0.5)',\
    drawtext=text='IS':fontsize=80:fontcolor=white:x=(w-tw)/2:y=h/2:alpha='if(lt(t-1,0.5),(t-1)*2,1)':enable='gte(t,1)',\
    drawtext=text='KINETIC':fontsize=80:fontcolor=yellow:x=(w-tw)/2:y=h/2+80:alpha='if(lt(t-1.5,0.5),(t-1.5)*2,1)':enable='gte(t,1.5)'" \
  kinetic_reveal.mp4

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Section 10: Best Practices and Troubleshooting

Kinetic Caption Best Practices

1. Don't over-animate: Not every word needs maximum effect
2. Emphasize key words: Use larger scale/longer duration for important words
3. Match tempo: Fast speech = fast animation, slow = smooth
4. Platform consistency: Use platform-appropriate styles
5. Test readability: Animation shouldn't hurt comprehension

Emphasis Hierarchy

| Word Type | Animation | Scale | Duration | |-----------|-----------|-------|----------| | Filler words (a, the, is) | Minimal pop | 105-110% | 150-200ms | | Normal words | Standard pop | 110-115% | 200-250ms | | Key words | Enhanced pop | 115-120% | 250-350ms | | EMPHASIS words | Elastic/shake | 120-130% | 300-400ms |

Common Issues and Solutions

Timing Mismatch

Problem: Animation doesn't match audio timing Solution: Use word-level timestamps from Whisper, not sentence-level

Jittery Animation

Problem: Text appears to stutter Solution: Ensure animation durations are multiples of frame duration

• 30fps: Use 33ms, 67ms, 100ms, 133ms, etc.
• 60fps: Use 17ms, 33ms, 50ms, 67ms, etc.

Text Too Busy

Problem: Animations distract from content Solution: Reduce scale amplitude (115% → 108%), simplify effects

Poor Mobile Readability

Problem: Text hard to read on phones Solution:

• Increase font size (80px minimum for 1080x1920)
• Increase outline/border (4-6px)
• Use safe margins (50px from edges)

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Sources

This skill was enhanced with research from:

• ASS Override Tags - Aegisub
• FFmpeg Drawtext Animation
• KFX-GUI Karaoke Template Builder
• CapCut Kinetic Typography Guide
• Kinetic Typography Complete Guide 2026
• OpusClip Text Animation Packs
• Spring Physics for UI Animations
• Easing Functions Reference

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Related Skills

• ffmpeg-karaoke-animated-text - Karaoke fundamentals
• viral-video-animated-captions - CapCut-style captions
• ffmpeg-animation-timing-reference - Timing formulas
• ffmpeg-captions-subtitles - Subtitle basics
• viral-video-platform-specs - Platform requirements