Create a Countdown Timer Animation with Expressions in Adobe After Effects

In this Premiere Gal tutorial you're going to learn how to create a timer animation in Adobe After Effects. You'll specifically learn how to create text layers, shapes, add expression controls, and how to use the essential graphics panel to export the animation as a customizable .mogrt (motion graphics template) that you can use in Adobe Premiere Pro.

Below are the two expressions we will be using in After Effects to create our timer animation. You will need to watch and follow the tutorial above to learn how to correctly setup your After Effects composition so the expressions will work.

Expression 1

This expression will make your number text layer count and let you change the total time count with your “Time Control” slider control effect. It will also enable you to control whether your text layer will count up or count down using the “Count Down” checkbox control effect.

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You will copy and paste this expression in the expression field box next to Source Text on your text number layer. Remember to press the Alt key (PC) or Option key (MAC) and click the stopwatch next to Source Text to enable expressions.

c=thisComp.layer("Control").effect("Count Down")("ADBE Checkbox Control-0001");
m=Math.floor(thisComp.layer("Control").effect("Time Control")("ADBE Slider Control-0001"));
if(c==1){
t=Math.floor(m-time)
if(t<0)
t=0;
}
else{
t=Math.floor(time);
if(t>m)
t=m;
}
if(t<10)
k="0"+t;
else
k=t;

Expression 2

Next, the expression below will be used on the Trim Path’s End parameter to animate one of the outer dashed rings in the Timer animation. Remember to press the Alt key (PC) or Option key (MAC) and click the stopwatch next to the Trim Path’s End parameter to enable expressions.

m=Math.floor(thisComp.layer("Control").effect("Time Control")("ADBE Slider Control-0001"));
100/m*time

Following the tutorial, you’ll be able to create the below timer on your own. If you become a Premiere Gal Patron, you’ll get the timer .mogrt for free or you can purchase the timer motion graphics template (.mogrt) to use in Premiere Pro. Hope this helps!

Count Down Timer .mogrt

$10.00