Default formatting for Text:Simple filters - Disable "use font size"

So I’ve found the preset for text in the “(defaults).txt” file in the App Folder for the “defaults” for creating a simple text filter. By using a test file and going back and forth in the XML for it, I can’t seem to find where the “Use font size” setting is set or not set. I’m always unchecking that and wanted to find a way to have the text go in the way I want (or as close) by default. I also notice that if I set the font to Arial it still picks “Veranda Bold 60”. Also it seems to ignore the geometry settings I modify too to move it higher up on the screen [I assumed it was the geometry] but that is ignored too.

(btw I’m on Windows 11 with SC v24.11.17)

Is there another file that I can modify for this or a setting hidden somewhere else? Is this just a legacy config file that got hardcoded at some point?

Example modified (defaults).txt

geometry: “0%/0%:50%x50%”
halign: center
valign: bottom
size: 1920
style: normal
fgcolour: “#ffffffff
family: Arial
weight: 1000
olcolour: “#aa000000
outline: 2
bgcolour: “#00000000
pad: 0
opacity: 1.0
“shotcut:usePointSize”: 0

Note I even tried to overwrite the (defaults).txt preset by adding my own preset in the filter and then renaming the file etc etc, but it still defaults to something that seems hardcoded if I don’t select a preset

NOTE: What I’m trying to do is use the new subtitles feature to have it pop up on screen for each word but when I “Generate text on timeline” it just uses that default and I don’t see a way to mass change the preset on all of those so I can put them all in the same place and font. I’d have to set each one individually.

Well I did find the Burn In Subtitles so that does what I want … But still wondering about that (defaults).txt file :slight_smile:

There is no support to change a filter’s defaults (as well as most defaults throughout the app). If you are trying to change the filter defaults by modifying the (defaults) preset file, that is not supported. The only way to do it currently is to modify the code, the filter’s ui.qml file. I am not going to give instructions because it is too easy to screw up. There is already suggestion to be able to change a filter’s defaults. Just apply the preset.

There is a bug with applying the “Use font size” from the preset that was fixed for the next version.

Stock presets (including “(defaults)”) are overwritten to this directory every time the filter is added to something. Then, all presets in the folder are listed in the Preset drop-down.

Ah. Well then I’m not touching that file! Haha. Thanks for the reply :+1:

To make your custom preset listed above the stock presets, put a "* " in front of its name. To help remember this, think: * = favorite. * is not specially handled by Shotcut, it is just how computers sort letters. Some special characters like *, (, and _ come before A.

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