How to Convert Text to Shape Layers in After Effects
After Effects includes a native feature for converting text layers to shape layers. You can right-click on a text layer and select Create > Create Shapes from Text. However, this approach presents challenges when the text contains animations.
Converting animated text with Type
Type offers a solution through its Convert text to shape layers feature. The tool will automatically scan your text for animation and create a unique shape for each necessary frame. It preserves keyframes, expressions applied to source text, and most text animators (excluding blur and per-character 3D effects).
To maintain organization, hold shift while clicking the button to automatically precompose the resulting shape layers. The text animation persists intact in shape layer form, while the original text layer remains in the composition but hidden.
Lottie export
This capability is particularly useful when exporting animations to Lottie format using the free LottieFiles plugin.
Type for After Effects
Type provides additional text manipulation functions including text highlighting, underlining, cursor animation, layer splitting by word/line/character, number formatting, monospacing, and typewriter-style animation effects.