Automate ai layer to change and render composition

[Illum]

Hi there. 

I have a composition that contains an Illustrator file layer. This file contains  a number that I wish to change (example: $10 to $20). I would like to automate the amount change and composition to render out as I have many of them to do. 

 I have been changing the amount by doing it the following way but would like to find a better way to do this. 

The animation takes long to render so yes I suppose I can pre render out any complex effects (particular and glows) to speed up renders. 

1. In Ai I copy the layer (example: $10)

2. Change the copied layer to $20.

3. Save the file and import in Ae.

4. Do the Alt drag to replace the layer. 

5. Render out the comp in Media Encoder. 

If anyone can give me advice to help me automate this process it would save me hours of rendering.

(I'm sure coding or spreadsheet is an option but I can't code yet). 

Thanks. 

[Mylenium]

Why don't you just chage the original layer? AE will update any references to external assets when re-opening the project. Anything beyond that would require screenshots and details on where what needs to be updated and replaced. From using n active text layers and possibly indeed automating them with expressions to simply createing placeholders in your AI file beforehand there are no doubt a few options here, but without info on the specifics nobody can advise what would be the best way to proceed.

Mylenium

[Rick Gerard]

Illustrator files do not have the ability to create editable text in After Effects. You'll need a Text layer to automate changes using an expression that looks at the layer name or even the comp number. You could easily point to the composition name and have that drive a text layer. 

Without seeing a flow chart of your comp expanded to show all effects applied to all layers, it's pretty difficult to give you a solution.