by nab·Workflow
Images © nab. Used for product review; image policy.
DecomposeText earns its spot in the aescripts library by doing one job cleanly: turning a single text layer into separate layers, with a choice between expression-based positioning that preserves the original placement and an expression-free approximated mode.
DecomposeText is an After Effects script from developer nab that takes a text layer and breaks it up into separate layers, split by character, word, or line. Instead of managing one block of text, you end up with individual layers you can work with separately.
It offers two ways to handle position. The expression-based mode keeps the original position: each new layer carries the same text as the original with some elements hidden, so everything stays where it started. The approximated mode works without expressions, producing new layers that are one character, word, or line long each. You choose the split level and the positioning approach that suits the job.
Compatibility runs across a wide span of After Effects releases, from CS6 through the 2025 version, covering the CC generations in between. A demo video is available for those who want to see it before installing. Version 3.1 addressed a bug affecting position with Separate Dimensions.
DecomposeText is best for after Effects users who need to break a text layer into separate per-character, per-word, or per-line layers.
DecomposeText is completely free to download and use.
DecomposeText supports After Effects 2025, along with the 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 releases. It also runs on the older CC generations, including CC 2019, CC 2018, CC 2017, CC 2015.3, CC 2015, CC 2014, and CC, as well as CS6. That range covers most After Effects installations still in use, so you can add it whether you are on a current version or working in an older studio pipeline.
DecomposeText offers two positioning approaches. The keep-original-position mode uses expressions: each resulting layer contains the same text as the original layer, with some elements hidden, so placement matches the source. The approximated mode works without expressions, and each new layer is just one character, word, or line long. The first preserves exact position through expressions, while the second gives you shorter, expression-free layers. You pick the one that fits how you plan to work with the results.
DecomposeText is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, so for the current details and to download the script, check the developer's page on aescripts. That is also where you will find the demo video and any notes on how nab distributes the tool. We list it here as free based on its catalog status rather than any specific pricing quoted by the developer.
DecomposeText version 3.1, released on February 15, 2023, fixed a bug related to position when Separate Dimensions was in use. The prior release, version 3.0 from October 2021, added CC 2021 compatibility. If you were affected by the Separate Dimensions position issue, updating to 3.1 is the version that addresses it. For the full history beyond these entries, refer to the developer's changelog on aescripts.
Also in Workflow for After Effects.
by CI HUB GmbH
CI HUB Connector links After Effects and Premiere Pro to your DAM, stock partners and cloud storage from a single plugin. Browse assets you have access to, link and relink files, and switch between versions and renditions.
by LottieFiles
LottieFiles for After Effects exports animations to Lottie JSON and optimized dotLottie, imports SVG or Lottie JSON files as compositions, and checks animation compatibility across web, Android, and iOS.
by Vakago Tools
Free Stock Videos by Vakago Tools is an extension that brings millions of free stock videos into After Effects and Premiere Pro, usable in both personal and commercial projects, without leaving your Adobe apps.
by Storyblocks
Storyblocks brings its stock library into After Effects and Premiere Pro, letting you search, download, and manage over 1M+ video, audio, motion graphics, and template assets without leaving your editor.
by SUZA VFX
AE GPT is an AI assistant for After Effects and Premiere Pro from SUZA VFX. Its Agent Mode writes and runs ExtendScript inside compositions, turning plain multi-language prompts into actions like fixing errors, building scenes, and adding effects.
by Salt Media
BlenderAe2 by Salt Media transfers 3D data and objects between Blender and After Effects in both directions, covering vertices, 3D layer transforms, camera data and layer synchronization.
by MAXON
Maxon One from MAXON bundles tools like Cinema 4D, ZBrush, Redshift, Red Giant and Maxon Studio into a unified ecosystem, letting artists move between applications and Adobe hosts such as After Effects and Premiere Pro without friction.
by MotionLand
AEVIEWER 2 is a media browser for After Effects and Premiere Pro from MotionLand. Preview, apply, and import projects and media files in one click. Listed here as free.
by MAXON
Maxon Teams Annual Subscription Licensing is a one-year named-user plan for teams working across After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Premiere Pro. It provides access to Cinema 4D, Redshift, ZBrush, and Red Giant's creative tools.
by Motion Array
Motion Array is an extension for After Effects and Premiere Pro that brings its library of templates, stock video, royalty-free music, and more into your Adobe Creative Cloud apps for one-click download and import.
by Thomas Zagler - pixelsucht.net
Free Stock Search is an extension for After Effects and Premiere Pro that searches unsplash.com, pixabay.com, and pexels.com for free stock photos, then downloads and imports a chosen image with one click.
