<p>Adjust Metal to 0% and Specular Shininess to taste in the material options of the text layer.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-14T22:46:10.837Z
2013-06-14T22:46:10.837Z
AJ Henderson
<p>I'm currently following this tutorial</p>

<p><div class="youtube-embed"><div>
                <iframe width="640px" height="395px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/frXQxwMKh6c?start=0"></iframe>
            </div></div></p>

<p>and at 12:44 i think i got the same problem as you did in this situation. When I turned on "Accept lights" my text turned white to my frustration.</p>

<p>To fix it I tried experimenting with "Light transmission". I think this was set to 100% without me knowing, so when i adjusted it, my problem got resolved.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-04-20T22:16:05.393Z
2014-04-21T01:05:08.813Z
2014-04-21T01:05:08.813Z
Isgris
<p>Play with the cone feather settings on the light. This will alter how harsh the gradient between lit and unlit sections of the text is. </p>

<p>Also, make sure your text is not totally black (#000000) otherwise the lighting will probably not look right. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-27T17:46:23.183Z
2013-07-27T17:46:23.183Z
tomh
<p>I'm trying to add a light to a scene that has black text on a white background. My goal is to keep the light in position and slide in the text. As the text slides, part of the text will be less black because of the light.</p>

<p>I've added a light and positioned it correctly. I've also made sure my text is 3D-enabled and has "accepts lights" on.</p>

<p>The problem I'm having is that no matter how I position the light or tweak the material options, I can't figure out what to do so that the <em>surface</em> of the text changes intensity with the light that's being cast. The text will cast shadows (when turned on), but the surface won't change.</p>

<p>What do I need to do to get the surface of the text to change color (to grey or white) based on the light source?</p>

<hr>

<p>Here's what it looks like:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/ooHGz.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/BZTvb.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-06-14T17:35:07.313Z
I don't know this one off the top of my head, but if I remember I'll take a look tonight when I get home.  I think there is a setting about how the light interacts, but I've worked with so many different programs they sometimes cross in my head.
AJ Henderson
<after-effects><post-production>
How to make black text accept light in After Effects
Ben McCormack
# How to make black text accept light in After Effects

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-06-14)

I'm trying to add a light to a scene that has black text on a white background. My goal is to keep the light in position and slide in the text. As the text slides, part of the text will be less black because of the light.

I've added a light and positioned it correctly. I've also made sure my text is 3D-enabled and has "accepts lights" on.

The problem I'm having is that no matter how I position the light or tweak the material options, I can't figure out what to do so that the *surface* of the text changes intensity with the light that's being cast. The text will cast shadows (when turned on), but the surface won't change.

What do I need to do to get the surface of the text to change color (to grey or white) based on the light source?

---

Here's what it looks like:

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/ooHGz.png)

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/BZTvb.png)

**Tags:** after-effects, post-production

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: I don't know this one off the top of my head, but if I remember I'll take a look tonight when I get home.  I think there is a setting about how the light interacts, but I've worked with so many different programs they sometimes cross in my head.  

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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-06-14. Score: 4

Adjust Metal to 0% and Specular Shininess to taste in the material options of the text layer.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2014-04-20. Score: 2

I'm currently following this tutorial

and at 12:44 i think i got the same problem as you did in this situation. When I turned on "Accept lights" my text turned white to my frustration.

To fix it I tried experimenting with "Light transmission". I think this was set to 100% without me knowing, so when i adjusted it, my problem got resolved.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2013-07-27. Score: 1

Play with the cone feather settings on the light. This will alter how harsh the gradient between lit and unlit sections of the text is.

Also, make sure your text is not totally black (#000000) otherwise the lighting will probably not look right.


---

