AE Sheets

AE Sheets is an AI-powered After Effects extension for video localization and translation. Manage text layers, create multiple language versions using customizable presets, and batch-generate localized compositions from a single panel. With built-in Google Gemini and OpenAI integration, spreadsheet import/export, and automatic font mapping for different scripts and languages, AE Sheets streamlines multilingual video production for motion designers and animators.

Important: AI Features require a Google or Open AI API key.

Key Features

• AI Localization: Automatically translate text layers by providing a Google Gemini or OpenAI API key.
• Smart Rigging: Tools to make your compositions responsive to text changes (Auto Resize, Dynamic Anchor Points, Pinning).
• Version Management: Create and manage multiple language versions of your video from a single panel.
• Batch Processing: Generate multiple localised versions in one go.
• Spreadsheet Integration: Export and import translations via TSV or direct copy-paste to spreadsheets

Layers Panel

Index, translate, and manage every text layer in your After Effects project from a single spreadsheet-style interface — with optional AI translation, TSV export, and one-click composition generation.

• Index text layers by selecting them or using manual caret notation (e.g. ^1) directly in your timeline

• Assign the same index to multiple layers so they update simultaneously

• Create language version columns side by side for easy comparison

• Translate with Google Gemini or OpenAI directly in the panel (API key required)

• Export and import translations via TSV or copy-paste to Google Sheets / Excel

• Configure per-version composition naming, folder grouping, and find-and-replace rules

• Generate final compositions with a single click — text, fonts, and settings all applied automatically

Rigging Panel

Automatically resize text, lock anchor points, and pin graphics to text edges so your motion design stays pixel-perfect no matter how long the translation runs.

• Auto Resize constrains text layers to a maximum width or height, scaling the font size down when translations overflow

• Dynamic Anchor Point locks the expansion direction of a text layer (center, left, right) so it doesn't drift when content changes

• Pinning creates reference points on any edge or corner of a text layer that other layers can be parented to, keeping icons, boxes, and arrows attached as text grows or shrinks

Presets

Save per-language font, size, tracking, leading, and RTL settings as reusable presets so you can localize to the same languages across projects without re-configuring a thing.

• Ships with 64 built-in language presets spanning major global markets and regional variants

• Set a unique shorthand code per language (e.g. fr-FR, ja-JP) used for naming and find-and-replace

• Override font family, font size (absolute or relative), leading, and tracking per language

• Enable right-to-left text flow for Arabic, Hebrew, and other RTL scripts

• Link a Font Map to a preset for granular, per-font substitution instead of a blanket font override

• Create your own custom presets for any language or locale not already included

Font Mapping

Map individual source fonts to language-specific replacements — keeping your bold, regular, and italic hierarchy intact when swapping to Chinese, Arabic, Devanagari, or any other script.

• Create multiple Font Map sets for different language groups or project requirements

• Define one-to-one rules: source font to target font (e.g. Helvetica-Bold to NotoSansSC-Bold)

• Maintain typographic weight and style distinctions across scripts

• Assign a Font Map to any language preset — it is applied automatically at generation time

Batch Create

Select multiple target languages, hit create, and let AE Sheets duplicate, rename, translate, and restyle every composition in one batch — turning hours of manual localization into seconds.

• Choose any number of language presets from a single menu

• Optionally enable auto-translation to populate every version with AI translations on creation (API key required)

• Each version inherits its preset's font, text settings, and font map automatically

• Only shared nested compositions that don't contain changing text are duplicated, keeping your project file lean

F.A.Qs

What versions of After Effects are supported?

AE Sheets requires After Effects 2024 or later.

Does it work on both Windows and Mac?

Yes. AE Sheets is fully compatible with both Windows and macOS.

What are the free trial limitations?

The only restriction is on composition generation. You can duplicate up to 10 compositions during the trial. Once the limit is reached, you will be prompted to purchase a license.

Which AI providers are supported?

AE Sheets supports Google Gemini and OpenAI for automatic translation.

Is an internet connection required?

An internet connection is only needed for AI translation and license activation. All other features — rigging, presets, font mapping, layer management — work entirely offline.

Can I export translations to a spreadsheet?

Yes. You can export your text to a TSV file or copy and paste directly into Google Sheets or Excel. After editing externally, import or paste the translations back into AE Sheets.

Does AE Sheets modify my original composition?

No. AE Sheets duplicates your master composition when generating localized versions. Your original project remains untouched.

How many languages can I create at once?

There is no limit. You can create as many language versions as you need, either one at a time or in bulk using the Batch Create feature.

How many language presets are included?

AE Sheets ships with **64 built-in language presets** covering major global markets — including regional variants for Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. RTL languages like Arabic and Hebrew come pre-configured with right-to-left text flow, and CJK languages have font override enabled out of the box. You can also create your own custom presets at any time.

Where can I get more help

Find the documentation for AE Sheets at https://www.sidequestplugins.com/docs/ae-sheets/intro or open a support via aescripts.

Big thank you to Justin for Bolt-cep

• 00:00 - Intro: Basic localisation example
• 00:47 - Rigging: Auto-Resize & Dynamic Anchor Points
• 01:39 - The Pinning Tool: Responsive Shapes
• 02:41 - Indexing Layers & Database
• 03:30 - Language Presets & Text Properties
• 03:54 - Customizing Fonts (Chinese Example)
• 04:28 - Comp Settings: Find & Replace
• 05:26 - Creating Font Maps
• 05:57 - General Settings & Highlighting
• 06:28 - Setting up AI (Google Gemini & OpenAI)
• 08:14 - Workflow: Localize Multiple Sizes
• 09:09 - Batch Creation
• 09:30 - Spreadsheet Export to Google Sheets & Excel
• 11:08 - Optimizing Shared Assets
• 11:35 - Outro & Support