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James Ronan
James Ronan
Known Participant
May 21, 2026
Answered

SourceRectAtTime doesn't work with variable fonts

  • May 21, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 53 views

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!

 

      Correct answer Rick Gerard

      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.

      3 replies

      James Ronan
      James RonanAuthor
      Known Participant
      June 1, 2026

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

      Nishu Kushwaha
      Community Manager
      Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      June 4, 2026

      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

      Nishu Kushwaha
      Community Manager
      Nishu KushwahaCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      June 1, 2026

      Hi ​@James Ronan,

       

      Did the expert’s suggestion help?

      Let us know.

       

      Thanks,

      Nishu

        R
        Community Expert
        Rick GerardCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        May 22, 2026

        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.

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