Locking Down AE Project Except for Editable Text Layer

[Roland R. kahlenberg]

I wrote an AE Script to provide a decent level of protection for Expressions – https://broadcastgems.gumroad.com/

It’s called AeXpressions Encrypter

It does name scrambling of your variables. And if you have a complex set up, it will work well. it will work better if you also scramble your Effect Control names.

You may also want to place the source text property in the Essential Graphics Panel and let the user know that is the only place to edit text input.

I write not only complex expressions but they’re also usually with Adaptive and Responsive Features. This means each set up can be quite easily used to create hundreds and even thousands (or more) variations with not too much effort for each variation. So, it’s critical to protect my IP.

broadcastgems.gumroad.com

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[Walter Soyka]

FWIW, I think Roland’s method of obscuration is production-ready and significantly more useful for hiding how your custom expression code actually works.

John’s method is extremely clever, but you can extract the hidden comp name from the current implementation with just two lines of code, and then the user can see everything you’ve done.

I think some kind of native protection for authors with locked-down templates would be a great feature request for Adobe:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-effects/ct-p/ct-after-effects?page=1&sort=latest_replies&filter=all&lang=all&tabid=ideas

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[John Martin]

Hey Walter, sorry yesterday i uploaded the wrong video!

here’s the one i originally intended.

My script:

1-Completely delocates the animation sources

2-Scrambles the expressions’ text

3-It’s Free. i hope you guys like it. You’re welcome and good luck 🔥

tutorial + files: https://youtu.be/idFeem6b-r8