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Locking Down AE Project Except for Editable Text Layer
Hi all,
I need to deliver After Effects template files for various digital screen animations, where the end user should only be able to modify one text layer.
However, I’d prefer not to hand over the entire open project, since it includes a carefully crafted motion system, including custom timing and complex expression code that I’d rather keep protected.
I’m aware of using the Lock and Shy layer options to hide or protect parts of the comp, but in reality, everything is still fully accessible and editable if someone wants to dig in.
Is there any workflow in After Effects (similar to how Essential Graphics / .MOGRTs work for Premiere Pro) where the user can only change certain elements, like a text field, without having access to duplicate/view the underlying timing and expressions?
I’m looking for a way to make the template editable only where needed, while keeping the rest of the build as protected as possible.
Any ideas, tools, or best practices would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
replied 11 months ago 5 Members · 13 Replies
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13 Replies
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Unfortunately, there are no features in After Effects that let you lock down a project the way you’re describing. Even MOGRTs can be reopened and inspected in After Effects.
If you want to try to keep your code secret, you might consider obfuscating your expressions — intentionally making them harder to read and understand. You can find a few free tools online for JavaScript obfuscation.
I know that it totally depends on your situation, by personally, in my career, I’ve gone the other way. Since there are no real tools for securing authorship, I’ve kept my expression code and systems clean, documented them, and put my contact information in there. I’d rather build a reputation for solving hard problems and being easy to work with than turning over inscrutable projects.
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hey Linda, yes this is possible. i have a couple of custom solutions that may surprise you a little, no plugins are required.
Send me a screen recording of your specific template situation, so i can record a short tutorial tailored for your case!
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This is interesting.
John care to expand this topic a little.
Is this a service of yours and can it be a plug-in?
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let’s wait for her response first. After I’ll see how her specific templates work i’ll recommend the most compatible type of internal protection for her.
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I guess if you don’t need any modern JavaScript features in your expressions and can get away with using the legacy ExtendScript expression engine, you can use Adobe’s dev tools to make .jsxbin blobs for all your expressions (and even bake key frame data, wrap them in expressions, and save them as .jsxbin blobs), then in-line them with eval() calls.
It would be pretty limiting, and it would make you as the developer jump through quite a few hoops to publish and maintain, but I guess it could work in some cases.
I also suppose depending on your business model, you could use a tool like DataClay Templater or Modeck, render everything in the cloud, and simply never share your AEP with the end users.
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Thanks so much! Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to share the actual designs, but I’ve attached a screenshot of a similar timeline for reference.
The setup is relatively simple: a couple of 2D shapes and text layers animated with position, scale or opacity changes, combined with expressions to give them a dynamic feel.
All the layers follow the same structure, but only one of them needs to remain editable. Ideally, I’d like to keep the timing and expression code hidden, so the user can’t inspect, duplicate, or re-create to build new elements independently.
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got it. working on something that will make people’s life harder in case they want to find your code.
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alright. ready. You choose, we either hop on a private session and i share this solution just with you, or i share it with everyone, but this will reduce the security of this method, which, at the moment, is extremely good in my opinion (it doesn’t require downgrading to old after effects code). lemme know! in case you choose the first option, drop your email and we go. i’m ok either way.
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Really appreciate your help! Here’s my email: linda.edavis93@gmail.com
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