Voice to Text for Adobe After Effects
Typing breaks your motion graphics workflow. Whether you're naming text layers for client deliverables, organizing compositions for complex projects, commenting expressions for future maintenance, documenting project notes for collaborators, or labeling render presets for multiple outputs, switching from visual animation work to keyboard entry disrupts your creative flow. Blurt lets you speak directly into After Effects. Hold a button, say what you want to type, release. Text appears instantly at your cursor. Your hands stay on the timeline, your mind stays on the motion.
The Typing Problem
Text layers require constant renaming as projects grow
You're building a kinetic typography piece with 40 text layers. Each layer needs a descriptive name so you can find it later. Lower_Third_CEO_Name. Title_Card_Scene_02. Subtitle_Spanish_Version. You could say the name in one second, but typing it takes ten. So you leave layers as 'Text 1', 'Text 2', 'Text 3', then waste time hunting through a mess of identically-named layers when the client asks for revisions.
Composition names become cryptic when typing is a burden
Your project has 150 compositions nested inside each other. Pre-comps, adjustment layers, version variations. Each comp needs a name that explains what it does and where it fits. But typing out 'Product_Feature_Animation_V3_With_New_Logo_Client_Approved' takes effort. So you default to 'Comp 1 copy 2' and spend hours later decoding your own project structure.
Expression comments get skipped because documentation slows you down
You've written a complex expression that links multiple properties. Future you, or the next motion designer, will need to understand what it does. A quick comment explaining the logic would save hours of reverse-engineering. But adding comments means switching from creative work to typing. So expressions stay uncommented, and every handoff becomes a mystery.
Project notes remain empty despite client requirements
The client wants to understand your project organization. Why certain effects are applied. What the render settings should be. Which fonts are required. You could explain it all in three minutes of speaking. But typing it into project notes after hours of animation work? The documentation that prevents confusion never gets written.
Render queue comments and preset names become afterthoughts
You're setting up renders for multiple deliverables. YouTube 4K, Instagram Square, Client Review Draft. Each output module and render preset needs a clear name. But by the time you've configured the settings, typing descriptive names feels like extra work. So presets get vague labels, and you reconfigure the same settings repeatedly because you can't remember which preset does what.
How It Works
Blurt works anywhere you can type in After Effects. Text layers, composition names, expression comments, project notes, render preset names, effect labels. If there's a cursor, Blurt works.
Click into any text field
Layer name, composition name, expression editor, project panel, render queue settings. Anywhere you'd normally type in After Effects.
Hold your hotkey and speak
Press your chosen shortcut and say what you want to type. Blurt handles punctuation automatically.
Release and continue animating
Text appears instantly. No delay, no extra steps. Your hands never left the mouse or keyboard shortcuts.
Real Scenarios
Text layer naming that matches your creative speed
You're animating a title sequence with dozens of text elements. Each layer needs a name that describes its content and position. Select a layer, press Enter to rename, hold your hotkey, say 'Hero Title Main Animation with Bounce Effect.' Next layer. 'Subtitle Line One Fade In From Left.' Names appear at the speed you think them, not the speed you type them.
Composition organization that stays clear weeks later
You're building a complex motion graphics template with nested pre-comps. Time to name them properly. Hold your hotkey and say 'Background Particles Loop Seamless.' Next comp. 'Logo Reveal Version 2 Client Approved December.' Next. 'Lower Third Template Editable Text.' Project structure that makes sense during handoff, created without the naming dread.
Expression comments that save future debugging time
You've written an expression that links opacity to a slider control with conditional logic. Open the expression editor, position your cursor, hold and speak: 'This expression fades the layer when the slider value drops below 50, with an ease out curve.' Comments that prevent hours of confusion, added in seconds without breaking your flow.
Project notes for client handoff and team collaboration
The project is going to another animator for finishing. They need context. Open the project settings, hold and speak: 'All fonts are Adobe Fonts except the logo which is a client-provided OTF in the Assets folder. Render at 4K ProRes 4444 for final delivery. The particle effects use the CC Particle World plugin.' Complete handoff documentation without typing fatigue.
Render preset naming for multi-platform delivery
You're setting up render presets for a campaign that goes everywhere. Create a preset, hold and speak: 'YouTube 4K H264 High Bitrate with Alpha.' Next. 'Instagram Reels 1080 Vertical 9 by 16.' Next. 'Client Review ProRes LT with Watermark and Timecode.' Consistent, descriptive presets created faster than you can configure the codec settings.
Effect and adjustment layer labeling for complex composites
Your composition has 15 adjustment layers applying different effects. Each needs a name that explains its purpose. Select a layer, hold and speak: 'Color Correction Day to Night Grade.' Next. 'Glow Effect Hero Elements Only.' Next. 'Film Grain Subtle Final Touch.' Layer stacks that communicate their purpose at a glance.
Marker notes for timing and animation reference
You're spotting a composition to music or voiceover. Each marker needs a note explaining what happens at that point. Hit the marker shortcut, hold and speak: 'Logo animation starts here, sync with beat drop.' Next marker. 'Text reveal completes, hold for two seconds.' Timing notes that capture your intent without slowing your creative pace.
Why motion graphics artists choose Blurt over built-in dictation for After Effects work
| Blurt | macOS Dictation | |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Single customizable hotkey | Double-tap Fn or click microphone |
| Response time | Text appears in under 500ms | 2-3 second delay, sometimes fails silently |
| Motion graphics terminology | Handles 'keyframe', 'pre-comp', 'null object', 'easing' correctly | Struggles with motion graphics and animation terms |
| Workflow integration | Works without disrupting After Effects focus | System UI appears, breaks concentration |
| Reliability | Consistent transcription quality | Inconsistent, requires retries |
Frequently Asked Questions
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