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James Ronan
James Ronan
Known Participant
May 21, 2026 2:43 PM UTC
Answered

SourceRectAtTime doesn't work with variable fonts

Trying to find a way to calculate the total width of an animated variable font text layer but the sourceRectAtTime properties of a text layer are not updating / taking into account the variable font adjustment. Also in Box Text, variable fonts go outside the box too.

Any help appreciated.
Thanks!

 

      Rick GerardCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      May 22, 2026 4:34 PM UTC

      Try adding this expression to a text layer above the text layer you want to animate:

      testLyr = thisComp.layer(index + 1)
      FontSize = testLyr.text.sourceText.style.fontSize; 
      SRaTHeight = testLyr.sourceRectAtTime().height;
      SRaTWidth = testLyr.sourceRectAtTime().width;

      ratio = SRaTHeight/FontSize*100;
      "Font Size = " + FontSize + "\r" + "Height = " + SRaTHeight.toFixed(1)  + "\r" +  "Width = " + SRaTWidth.toFixed(1) + "\r" + ratio.toFixed(1) + "%"

      As long as you use text animators instead of scale, this will give you just about everything you need.

      You can also add modifiers to the value by incorporating scale into the expression.

      Hope this helps.

      View reply

      4 replies

      James Ronan
      James RonanAuthor
      Known Participant
      Jun 1, 2026 1:03 PM UTC

      Amazing, this was a great workaround, thanks so much ​@Rick Gerard 

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      Nishu Kushwaha
      Community Manager
      Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      Jun 4, 2026 5:11 PM UTC

      Thanks for getting back and updating the thread. Moving this thread from Bugs to Questions for now.

      Feel free to reach out if there are any other questions.

       

      Thanks,

      Nishu

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      Nishu Kushwaha
      Community Manager
      Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      Jun 1, 2026 12:55 PM UTC

      Hi ​@James Ronan,

       

      Did the expert’s suggestion help?

      Let us know.

       

      Thanks,

      Nishu

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        Community Expert
        Rick GerardCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        May 22, 2026 4:34 PM UTC

        Try adding this expression to a text layer above the text layer you want to animate:

        testLyr = thisComp.layer(index + 1)
        FontSize = testLyr.text.sourceText.style.fontSize; 
        SRaTHeight = testLyr.sourceRectAtTime().height;
        SRaTWidth = testLyr.sourceRectAtTime().width;

        ratio = SRaTHeight/FontSize*100;
        "Font Size = " + FontSize + "\r" + "Height = " + SRaTHeight.toFixed(1)  + "\r" +  "Width = " + SRaTWidth.toFixed(1) + "\r" + ratio.toFixed(1) + "%"

        As long as you use text animators instead of scale, this will give you just about everything you need.

        You can also add modifiers to the value by incorporating scale into the expression.

        Hope this helps.

        Translate
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