<p>After suprisingly open the mkv with Aegisub itself, I found out that to achieve this effect, it uses a tag called alpha (like so:<code>{\alpha&amp;HFF&amp;}</code>) that changes the transparency of the text. </p>

<p>To do this effect, you need to duplicate the same line as many times as you need (no need to cut the original transcription), then use the alpha tag to make the text invisible afterwards, like so:</p>

<pre><code>N-{\alpha&amp;HFF&amp;}No! It can't be!
N-No!{\alpha&amp;HFF&amp;} It can't be!
N-No! It can't be!
</code></pre>

<p>To achieve this:</p>

<pre><code>N-
N-No!
N-No! It can't be!
</code></pre>

<p>Bear in mind that putting the tag before a comma or a dot could cause some trouble with text positioning (it is supposed to be centered). Instead I recommend use this <strong>after</strong> the comma or dot.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-09T21:16:09.400Z
2017-10-09T21:16:09.400Z
Fabián
<p>Note: this is all about editing <em>.ass (or Advanced SSA)</em> subtitles.</p>

<p>I just happen to download Death Note series with chapters in mkv format, and found what seems to be a new subtitling method being used; instead of the usual line after line, it grabs the entire sentence and shows portions of it over-time.</p>

<p>Example of usual method:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>N-No! It can't be!</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Example of this new method:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>N-<br />
  N-No!<br />
  N-No! It can't be!</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The sub is always centered and uses the same space for the end sentence, in all the sequences, therefore <code>N-</code> and <code>N-No!</code> won't center themselves.</p>

<p>Another detail: with MPC player I always force the font into default style (Arial) instead of the one that comes with the mkv file, and it still works perfectly, so apparently <strong>this method works with any font besides the one provided</strong>.</p>

<p>Does this method have a name so that I can get started learning about it? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-09-29T06:24:29.850Z
Examine the ASS file and check. They are plaintext so all styles are setup using tags.
Gyan
<subtitles>
subtitles: show timed-fragments of the same text line
Fabián
# subtitles: show timed-fragments of the same text line

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-09-28)

Note: this is all about editing *.ass (or Advanced SSA)* subtitles.

I just happen to download Death Note series with chapters in mkv format, and found what seems to be a new subtitling method being used; instead of the usual line after line, it grabs the entire sentence and shows portions of it over-time.

Example of usual method:

> N-No! It can't be!

Example of this new method:

> N-  
> N-No!  
> N-No! It can't be!

The sub is always centered and uses the same space for the end sentence, in all the sequences, therefore `N-` and `N-No!` won't center themselves.

Another detail: with MPC player I always force the font into default style (Arial) instead of the one that comes with the mkv file, and it still works perfectly, so apparently **this method works with any font besides the one provided**.

Does this method have a name so that I can get started learning about it?

**Tags:** subtitles

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Examine the ASS file and check. They are plaintext so all styles are setup using tags.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2017-10-09. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

After suprisingly open the mkv with Aegisub itself, I found out that to achieve this effect, it uses a tag called alpha (like so:{\alpha&HFF&}) that changes the transparency of the text. 
To do this effect, you need to duplicate the same line as many times as you need (no need to cut the original transcription), then use the alpha tag to make the text invisible afterwards, like so:
N-{\alpha&HFF&}No! It can't be!
N-No!{\alpha&HFF&} It can't be!
N-No! It can't be!

To achieve this:
N-
N-No!
N-No! It can't be!

Bear in mind that putting the tag before a comma or a dot could cause some trouble with text positioning (it is supposed to be centered). Instead I recommend use this after the comma or dot.


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