Feature Request: CSV/JSON Data-Driven Animation Support for Text and Properties #525
Description
I’d like to suggest a feature that would bring huge value to motion designers, educators, and studios doing template-based or multi-version work: data-driven animation via CSV or JSON files.
** Feature Overview**
Enable users to bind text fields or animation properties to external CSV (or JSON) files, so that values can be dynamically pulled from rows of structured data. This would allow Friction to support things like:
- Automatically generating lower-thirds or name/title sequences
- Driving motion graphics (e.g., charts, scores, prices) from spreadsheet data
- Creating multi-language or personalized videos at scale
- Automating repetitive design tasks without complex scripting
Use Case Example: Text Linking
name,title
Enos,Animator
Cecilia,Producer
A text element in Friction would be set to something like {name} – {title}.
Friction could render multiple versions (or timeline instances) for each row, replacing values accordingly.
Use Case Example: Property Linking
frame,x_position,scale
1,100,1.0
2,105,1.1
3,110,1.2
A shape or asset could animate using values from the CSV — e.g., changing its x position or scale over time based on a matching frame key.
Technical Proposal (Simplified)
- Add a "Data Table" node or panel where users can import .csv, .tsv, .json, or .ods files.
- Allow binding of layer properties or text content to a data field, with basic expression syntax ({column_name}).
- Include a preview and row-selection tool, for users to preview how each data row populates a given template.
- Optional: Support batch rendering for all rows in a CSV, exporting one version per entry.
Inspiration
This idea is similar to Autograph's CSV linking, and to a lesser extent what is possible via scripting in After Effects with Templater or Expressions. However, Friction could improve on this by making data-driven animation cleaner and more native, without requiring external plugins or coding.
Benefits
- Boosts automation: Great for education, elections, data journalism, marketing, and personalized content.
- Enables procedural workflows: Without having to bake or duplicate keyframes.
- Encourages accessibility: Non-technical users can use spreadsheets to control animations.
- Supports modular design: Combine it with GIMP/XCF or SVG imports for powerful, template-based projects.
Thank you for your time and vision for Friction. This feature could be a transformative step for open-source animation and templating and I’d be happy to provide mockups, testing help, or workflow examples if needed.