What It Does
Templater Pro automates the creation of multiple video versions from a single After Effects composition. Feed it a spreadsheet (Google Sheets, JSON, or TSV) with customer names, product details, or localization data, and it generates individual renders or project files for each row. Instead of manually duplicating comps and swapping text layers fifty times, you set up the template once and let Templater handle the variations.
This is the desktop automation edition. It extends the base Templater Rig (included with Pro subscriptions) by adding batch rendering and replication features. A third edition, Templater Bot, adds command-line control for server environments.
Key Features
Batch rendering. Process an entire spreadsheet in one pass. Each row becomes a separate render with unique text, footage, colors, or timeline adjustments. Useful for personalized video campaigns or multi-language versions of the same spot.
Dynamic footage swapping. Point layers to different video files or image sequences based on data source values. Supports cloud-based references (Google Drive, remote URLs) and local file paths relative to a specified footage root.
Automated layout engine. Apply positioning rules so text boxes resize or layers realign when content changes. You can also disable Templater’s internal layout system and rely on expression-based tools like mamoworld’s Pins & Boxes if you prefer.
Time Sculpting. Adjust layer in/out points dynamically based on data. Stretch or trim clips to fit runtime requirements without manually editing timelines.
Project file switching. Specify different After Effects projects within the same data source. Process multiple templates in sequence without reopening files manually.
Custom output naming. Use column values to name rendered files automatically (e.g., “ClientName_ProductSKU_1080p.mp4”).
Spot checking. Export stills or short clips from specific frames (marked with composition markers) to verify data merges before committing to full renders. Helps catch typos or layout issues early.
Google Sheets integration. Connect directly to shared spreadsheets. Templater highlights recently previewed rows in the sheet so you can track what’s been checked.
QUE data source support. Dataclay’s QUE API replaces traditional spreadsheets for high-volume production. Offers better scalability, data-at-rest encryption, and job management features.
Shell script hooks. Run custom scripts at various processing stages (before/after renders, during footage imports). Useful for file transfers, notifications, or metadata tagging.
Dynamic Essential Graphics support. Control Motion Graphics Templates (.mogrt) properties via data source columns.
Generative AI text layers. Recent updates (v3.7.0) add support for AI-generated text within compositions, with preference settings for AI account integration.
SRT subtitle editing. A Dynamic Subtitles palette lets you edit and sync SRT files from within After Effects. Choose text anchor positions, drop shadow types, and whether to use point or box text.
Who It’s For
Templater Pro fits studios handling high-volume versioning work. If a client sends you a spreadsheet with 200 customer records and needs personalized videos by end-of-week, this tool makes that deadline feasible. Broadcast teams producing slate variations for different dayparts or regions also benefit. Freelancers working with template marketplaces (e.g., VideoHive projects) can offer custom batch services to clients.
The tool assumes you’re comfortable rigging After Effects templates. You’ll need to plan layer naming conventions and map data columns to specific comp elements. Not a point-and-click solution for beginners, but straightforward once you understand the workflow.
Pricing
Templater Pro uses a subscription model. Monthly recurring at $225/year equivalent, or yearly recurring plans (also available as prepaid terms for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months). The 12-month prepaid option equals 10 months of pricing. Volume discounts apply: 10% off for 2+ licenses, 15% for 5+, 20% for 10+, 40% for 50+.
All subscriptions include Templater Rig (the base edition with data merging and preview features but no batch automation). Floating licenses available for an additional fee via support request. Enterprise pricing exists for organizations over 250 users or $20M revenue.
A newer pay-per-output option (QUE Meter) charges 20 cents per render instead of a flat subscription fee. Introduced in v3.7.0, this model suits sporadic usage patterns.
30-day free trial includes all features with watermarks on dynamic layers. Functions stop working after trial period without a purchased license.
License requirement: Activation requires an online connection. Offline activation possible through support request. Supports After Effects 2021 and later (separate installers for legacy and current versions).