What It Does
Characteristic automates the process of working with animated typefaces in After Effects. Instead of dragging individual character compositions from the project panel to your timeline one at a time, you type your text and the script generates all the characters at once. All layers parent to a null that provides keyframable controls for font size, tracking, and stagger timing.
Note: This plugin has been discontinued. The developer recommends Font Manager as an alternative.
Key Features
Instant text generation. Type your text and click Create. Characteristic places each character as a pre-comped layer on the timeline, ready to animate.
Null-based controls. All characters parent to a null layer containing animatable sliders for font size, tracking (letter spacing), and stagger timing. Keyframe these controls to animate your entire text block without touching individual layers.
Stagger controls. Offset each character’s start time with a slider, or randomize the order. Useful for revealing text one letter at a time.
Built-in character spacing. The script detects each glyph’s width and applies automatic spacing between characters, accounting for narrow letters like “i” and wide ones like “w”.
Case sensitivity. If your animated typeface includes both uppercase and lowercase characters, enable the Aa checkbox to use them.
Current time placement. Check a box to insert your text at the current playhead position instead of at the composition start.
Advanced Metrics Setup
For custom or third-party animated typefaces, Characteristic includes a metrics system. You create a metrics composition for your typeface folder, set baseline and cap-height guides, then adjust the default character width. For glyphs that don’t match the default (like “m” or “i”), you enable a grid overlay and set custom anchor and corner points. This data travels with your typeface, so future text generation uses correct spacing.
If you pre-render an animated typeface (for example, converting shape layers to video for better performance), Characteristic’s Copy/Paste buttons transfer all metrics from the source typeface to the pre-rendered folder.
Who It’s For
Motion designers building title cards, credits, or kinetic typography with animated typefaces. Works with any animated typeface organized as individual character compositions, whether from aescripts or built in-house.
Pricing
Characteristic is pay-what-you-want (freemium). You set your own price at checkout, including free if you prefer. The suggested price was $44.99 (down from $59.99), but since the product is discontinued, availability may be limited.