What It Is
Template Machine is a collection of ScriptUI panels for After Effects that automate the creation of common motion design elements. Rather than building buttons, headers, reticles, and state machines from scratch every time, these panels generate production-ready compositions with a few clicks.
Button Maker
The Button Maker panel creates complete button compositions with built-in state machines. Six button variants ship out of the box: Red Wide (936x153), Red Short (432x153), Yellow Wide, Yellow Short, Arrow Left (with arrow icon at 80% opacity), and Arrow Right. Each button generates with five interactive states -- idle, in, press, release, and out -- wired with marker-based expressions that dynamically read the source comp's timeline markers, so repositioning markers automatically updates behavior.
Header Template Maker
Generates templated header compositions with configurable text, sizing, and styling. Designed for rapid iteration on broadcast-style lower thirds, title cards, and informational overlays. The panel handles the tedious setup of text layers, background shapes, and animation scaffolding.
Reticle Maker
Creates technical-looking targeting reticle and UI overlay compositions. Useful for sci-fi interfaces, HUD elements, drone footage overlays, and technical motion graphics. Configurable parameters for ring count, line weight, animation speed, and color.
The State Machine Panel
A standalone panel (PU_Template_Machine.jsx) that provides a unified interface for managing all the template tools. It acts as a launcher and configuration hub, letting motion designers access any of the specialized makers without hunting through menus.
Technical Approach
All panels are written in ExtendScript (ES3) and work as dockable ScriptUI panels inside After Effects. The expression builder constructs dynamic expressions that reference marker data, meaning the generated compositions are fully editable and non-destructive. The button state machine uses the same marker format that was later refined and expanded in the FlashBack project.
Tech Stack
ExtendScript (ES3), After Effects ScriptUI API, AE Expression Engine.