Source Text In After Effects

In Adobe After Effects, source text refers to the editable text content of a text layer. It is the actual text you type into a text layer, and it can be modified or animated directly within the timeline. Here's what you should know:

Key Features of Source Text:

1. Editable Text: You can change the words, numbers, or characters in the text layer without altering its formatting properties like font or size.

2. Animatable Property: Source text is keyframe-animatable, meaning you can create animations where the text changes over time (e.g., switching words or updating content).

3. Expression Support: You can use expressions to dynamically control the text. For example, linking the source text to a JSON file or another layer for automated updates.

4. Use in Templates: It’s a vital feature in creating Motion Graphics Templates (MOGRTs), allowing editors to change text in Premiere Pro without touching the After Effects project.

How to Access Source Text:

- Open the Timeline Panel.

- Select a text layer.

- Expand the layer properties by clicking the arrow.

- Find Text > Source Text.

You can now set keyframes or apply expressions to the source text.