How To Create A MOGRT File In Premiere Pro (Illustrated Guide)

Published: May 26, 2021 | Last Updated: December 6, 2024

MOGRT files are pre-made motion graphic templates. They are an easy way to add motion graphics to your video projects without the hassle of creating keyframes whenever you need to create a new graphic.

While Adobe Premiere includes some MOGRT, you’ll often find that you need something entirely different. In that case, you can find free MOGRT files, purchase one that fits your needs, or make a MORGT yourself.

This article is an easy tutorial on creating MOGRT files in 6 steps using Premiere Pro.

Step 1: Decide what motion graphic elements to use

First, we must decide what elements to use for the motion graphic.

We will keep this tutorial simple by creating a line of text that enters the frame from the left, stop in the middle for a few seconds, and then exit the frame to the right.

You can read more about how to add and edit text in Premiere Pro here.

Step 2: Create the text layer

Next, we’re going to create a new text layer. You can do this by hitting the keyboard shortcut (Mac: CMND+T) or (WINDOWS: CONTROL+T).

Type in the text you want. For this example, I will use my name, “Alex Srednoselac” as the line of text.

Step 3: Change the text properties

Now we will change the properties of the text layer.

I like to use Helvetica as my font choice for most projects so I will use it here. Last, I will change the size of the text to 150.

This size is large enough that my full name will still fit within the Safe Zone guidelines.

Step 4: Centering the graphic

Next, we will center the text horizontally and vertically.

I recommend doing this any time you create an asset, as it is easier to move or undo the positioning later than to center the graphic. This will also keep your graphic centered if you change the scaling. 

To start, we will center the text line using the paragraph center button in the Text tab.

You can see this button circled in red in the photo below. This will center the anchor point of the text, which will prevent you from having to re-center if you make sizing adjustments later.

Click on the vertical and horizontal align buttons under the Align and Transform tab. Both are circled in red in the photo below. This will perfectly center the graphic on the horizontal and vertical axis.

Note that you can use this option to center the graphic again after changing the positioning.

Step 5: Adding motion

Next, let’s add motion to this graphic. The default duration for a graphic in Premiere is 5 seconds. You can change the duration to any length, but we will keep it at 5 seconds for this tutorial. 

First, we will add a position keyframe near the beginning and end of the graphic.

This will lock our graphic into place for a few seconds before and after the graphic enters and exits the screen.

I wanted the graphic to hold still for 3 seconds, so we added a keyframe for 1 and 4 seconds.

You can quickly move the Playhead to 1 second by typing “+100” on the Playhead Position box pictured below. 

Next, move to the Effects Control tab in the Source Panel. Use the clock icon next to Position to place a keyframe.

Once the keyframe is set, a small diamond shape will appear to the right of the Effects Control Panel.

You can then type “+300” on the Playhead Position to move the Playhead to the 4-second position. Place another keyframe by hitting the diamond icon (pictured below) on the Position tab.

Now the graphic will not move for 3 seconds. Let’s add the enter and exit motion.

First, place the Playhead at the beginning of the clip by hitting the up arrow on your keyboard.

In the Effects Controls tab, drag the X position to the left until the graphic disappears off-screen. Since we hit the clock icon earlier, this will automatically create a keyframe for this position. 

Do the same for the last frame of the graphic. To do so, hit the down arrow on your keyboard to move the Playhead to the last frame.

In the Effects Controls tab, drag the X position to the right until the graphic disappears off-screen.

Premiere will automatically add another keyframe for this movement. The motion graphic is now complete.

You might like this illustrated guide on How to use the Essential Graphics panel in Premiere Pro.

Step 6: Save the graphic as a MOGRT file. 

The last step is to save our new motion graphic as a MOGRT file. Right-click the text layer on the timeline and click “Export As Motion Graphic Template….”

A window will appear where you can name the MOGRT file, change the file destination, etc.

For simplicity, keep the file Destination in the Local Templates Folder. This is where all pre-installed MOGRT files are stored, and it will be easier to find later.

You can change this if you are a more advanced user. 

You can find the MOGRT file in the Essential Graphics Panel. Hit Window > Workspaces > Graphics to view the Essential Graphics Panel. 

Your graphic should appear with the other pre-installed MOGRT files, but you can also search for it if you cannot find its location.

You might like How to add subtitles and closed captions in Premiere Pro.

Conclusion

This tutorial explains how to create a simple text MOGRT file, which you can use for elements like lower thirds or chyrons. You can add other motions, backgrounds, and more to these files, but it’s important to learn the basics first, although Premiere is somewhat limited compared to After Effects.

After Effects is a more efficient method of creating MOGRT files, but you can also use Premiere if you don’t have After Effects.

MOGRT files are a great way to simplify your motion graphics workflow inside Premiere.

If you have any questions, let us know in the comments below.

Up Next: How to import and edit MORGT files in Premiere Pro.