Creating a sliding number counter in After Effects

UPDATE: The script has now been updated to make it easier than ever to create a sliding number counter in After Effects

My latest project for Loop is a brand new script for creating odometers or sliding number counters in After Effects like the one below:

odometer sliding counter after effects

In previous projects I’ve repeated the same process to create counters: create a column of numbers, animate it, duplicate it and move the columns across, and then sort out the matte to produce the masked sliding effect.

When I looked at the actual process, I realised there was a lot of repetition in there, usually wherever there’s repetition there’s a chance for automation!

That’s why I created the Numero Script, to easily create an odometer in After Effects! Now, I just select the number of columns and hit go - the script then does 99% of the legwork for me, including the precomp and matte creation! There’s also additional controls for spacing, and because it’s all done using text layers you can easily edit the style and vertical spacing using the text controls.

column counter after effects

Check it out and purchase the script over on madebyloop.co.uk

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Rewilding the planet with freelance animation and motion design

We've only got one planet, and right now it needs all the help it can get. Climate change and biodiversity loss are massive challenges that we need to tackle head on.

That's why, for every freelance animation project over £1000 a donation of 1% of the total budget will be made to the World Land Trust, on your behalf.

The money will go towards WLT's "buy an acre" programme; buying up and protecting vital habitats around the world, and helping fight against climate change.

Any motion design projects under £1000 will have a tree planted on your behalf.

Acres saved so far:

Thanks to my wonderful clients and the animations we've produced, enough money has been donated to save around:

17.5 Acres of vital habitats around the world.

Just think, your animated explainer video or logo animation could also be helping fight the climate crisis!

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