diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/animation.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/animation.rs
index 4cfaa26ed..592fa9e53 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/animation.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/animation.rs
@@ -11,13 +11,14 @@ use effectcraft_time::Tick;
 use serde_json::{Value, json};
 
 use super::effect::{effect_time_error, retime_effect};
+use super::text_anim::{per_char_on, set_animator_3d};
 use super::{CommandSpec, bad, frontend, has_comp, has_keys, has_layers, layer_mut, layers_p, match_path_of, resolve_effect_path, selected_leaf_props, str_p};
 use crate::{EngineError, KeyRef, Result, Session, cmd};
 
 /// Preset file format version tag (`*.ecpreset`, JSON).
 pub const PRESET_TAG: &str = "effectcraftAnimationPreset";
 /// The preset format version that `anim.savePreset` writes.
-pub const PRESET_VERSION: u64 = 2;
+pub const PRESET_VERSION: u64 = 3;
 /// The first preset version that stores effect keys relative to the earliest key (#1971).
 const RELATIVE_EFFECT_KEYS: u64 = 2;
 
@@ -50,6 +51,25 @@ fn selected_effects(s: &Session) -> Vec<(LayerId, PropGroup)> {
         .collect()
 }
 
+/// The text animators that hold a selected property, each once, in stack order. An animator is
+/// saved whole: its Properties say what changes and its Selectors where, so neither works alone.
+fn selected_animators(s: &Session) -> Vec<PropGroup> {
+    let Some(c) = s.active_comp() else { return vec![] };
+    let leaves = selected_leaf_props(s);
+    let mut layers: Vec<LayerId> = vec![];
+    for (lid, _) in &leaves {
+        if !layers.contains(lid) {
+            layers.push(*lid);
+        }
+    }
+    let mut out = vec![];
+    for lid in layers {
+        let Some(list) = c.layer(lid).and_then(|l| l.props.group("text/animators")) else { continue };
+        out.extend(list.groups().filter(|g| leaves.iter().any(|(l, u)| *l == lid && g.find(*u).is_some())).cloned());
+    }
+    out
+}
+
 /// The earliest key anywhere in `groups`, nested controls included.
 fn earliest_key<'a>(groups: impl IntoIterator<Item = &'a PropGroup>) -> Option<Tick> {
     let mut first: Option<Tick> = None;
@@ -72,6 +92,7 @@ fn save_preset(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let t = s.time();
     let mut effects: Vec<(LayerId, PropGroup)> = selected_effects(s);
     let effect_uids: Vec<Uid> = effects.iter().map(|(_, g)| g.uid).collect();
+    let mut animators = selected_animators(s);
     let mut props = vec![];
     for (lid, uid) in selected_leaf_props(s) {
         let Some(l) = comp.layer(lid) else { continue };
@@ -79,16 +100,24 @@ fn save_preset(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
         if l.effects().is_some_and(|fx| fx.groups().any(|g| effect_uids.contains(&g.uid) && g.find(uid).is_some())) {
             continue;
         }
+        // So do properties inside a saved text animator.
+        if animators.iter().any(|g| g.find(uid).is_some()) {
+            continue;
+        }
         let (Some(pr), Some(mp)) = (l.props.find(uid), match_path_of(&l.props, uid)) else { continue };
         props.push((l.layer_time(t), mp, pr.clone()));
     }
-    if props.is_empty() && effects.is_empty() {
+    if props.is_empty() && effects.is_empty() && animators.is_empty() {
         return Err(bad("anim.savePreset", "select properties or effects to save"));
     }
     // Key times are stored relative to the earliest key so the preset applies at the CTI.
-    let first =
-        props.iter().flat_map(|(_, _, pr)| pr.keys.iter().map(|k| k.time)).chain(earliest_key(effects.iter().map(|(_, g)| g))).min().unwrap_or(Tick::ZERO);
-    for (_, g) in &mut effects {
+    let first = props
+        .iter()
+        .flat_map(|(_, _, pr)| pr.keys.iter().map(|k| k.time))
+        .chain(earliest_key(effects.iter().map(|(_, g)| g).chain(&animators)))
+        .min()
+        .unwrap_or(Tick::ZERO);
+    for g in effects.iter_mut().map(|(_, g)| g).chain(&mut animators) {
         retime_effect(g, 1.0, "anim.savePreset", |t| Ok(Tick(t.0.checked_sub(first.0).ok_or_else(|| effect_time_error("anim.savePreset"))?)))?;
     }
     let props_json: Vec<Value> = props
@@ -105,10 +134,10 @@ fn save_preset(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let name = str_p(p, "name")
         .map(str::to_string)
         .unwrap_or_else(|| std::path::Path::new(&path).file_stem().map(|s| s.to_string_lossy().to_string()).unwrap_or_default());
-    let doc = json!({PRESET_TAG: PRESET_VERSION, "name": name, "properties": props_json, "effects": fx_json});
+    let doc = json!({PRESET_TAG: PRESET_VERSION, "name": name, "properties": props_json, "effects": fx_json, "textAnimators": animators});
     let text = serde_json::to_string_pretty(&doc).unwrap_or_default();
     s.write_output(&path, text.as_bytes())?;
-    Ok(json!({"path": path, "properties": props.len(), "effects": effects.len()}))
+    Ok(json!({"path": path, "properties": props.len(), "effects": effects.len(), "textAnimators": animators.len()}))
 }
 
 /// Rewrite an effect property path in a preset (`effects/<effect id>[#n]/<param>`) to the current
@@ -126,6 +155,22 @@ fn upgrade_effect_path(path: &str) -> String {
     }
 }
 
+/// The saved animators of a preset. A file that names one wrongly is refused, not partly applied.
+fn preset_animators(doc: &Value) -> Result<Vec<PropGroup>> {
+    let bad_file = |why: String| bad("anim.applyPreset", format!("bad text animator in the preset: {why}"));
+    match doc.get("textAnimators") {
+        None => Ok(vec![]),
+        Some(Value::Array(list)) => list
+            .iter()
+            .map(|v| {
+                let g: PropGroup = serde_json::from_value(v.clone()).map_err(|e| bad_file(e.to_string()))?;
+                if g.match_id == "animator" { Ok(g) } else { Err(bad_file(format!("`{}` is not an animator", g.match_id))) }
+            })
+            .collect(),
+        Some(_) => Err(bad_file("`textAnimators` is not a list".into())),
+    }
+}
+
 fn apply_preset(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     let doc: Value = match (p.get("preset"), str_p(p, "path")) {
         (Some(v), _) => v.clone(),
@@ -138,16 +183,11 @@ fn apply_preset(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
     if doc.get(PRESET_TAG).is_none() {
         return Err(bad("anim.applyPreset", "not an EffectCraft animation preset"));
     }
+    let animators = preset_animators(&doc)?;
     let (cid, ids) = layers_p(s, p)?;
     if ids.is_empty() {
         return Err(bad("anim.applyPreset", "select a layer"));
     }
-    // Animation ▸ Recent Animation Presets.
-    if let Some(path) = str_p(p, "path") {
-        s.prefs.push_recent_preset(path);
-        s.save_prefs();
-        s.prefs_revision += 1;
-    }
     let mut effects: Vec<PropGroup> =
         doc["effects"].as_array().map(|a| a.iter().filter_map(|v| serde_json::from_value(v.clone()).ok()).collect()).unwrap_or_default();
     // Older presets stored effect keys at the source layer's times.
@@ -175,6 +215,7 @@ fn apply_preset(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
                 .collect()
         })
         .unwrap_or_default();
+    let saved_3d = props.iter().any(|(path, src)| path == "text/perChar3d" && src.value.as_bool());
     let t = s.time();
     // Effect bounds per layer size the point defaults of parameters added since the preset was saved.
     let comp = s.project.comp(cid).ok_or(EngineError::NoComp)?;
@@ -188,6 +229,7 @@ fn apply_preset(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
             let size = sizes.get(lid).copied().unwrap_or([100.0, 100.0]);
             let l = layer_mut(proj, cid, *lid)?;
             let lt = l.layer_time(t);
+            let was_three_d = per_char_on(l);
             if let Some(fx) = l.props.sub_mut("effects") {
                 for g in &effects {
                     let mut g = g.clone();
@@ -228,10 +270,52 @@ fn apply_preset(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
                     _ => skipped.push(path.clone()),
                 }
             }
+            // After the properties, so a saved Per-character 3D setting counts: it needs a 3D layer
+            // to draw, as `layer.enablePerChar3D` makes one. Without it the layer's setting stays.
+            // Existing animators follow changes to the saved Per-character 3D setting too.
+            let three_d = per_char_on(l);
+            l.switches.three_d |= three_d && saved_3d;
+            let Some(list) = l.props.group_mut("text/animators") else {
+                skipped.extend(animators.iter().map(|g| format!("text/animators/{}", g.name)));
+                continue;
+            };
+            if three_d != was_three_d {
+                for existing in &mut list.children {
+                    if let Node::Group(existing) = existing {
+                        set_animator_3d(&mut Ids(&mut next), existing, three_d);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            for g in &animators {
+                let mut g = g.clone();
+                // `reassign_uids` replaces every uid, the ones of properties added here included.
+                set_animator_3d(&mut Ids(&mut 0), &mut g, three_d);
+                retime_effect(&mut g, 1.0, "anim.applyPreset", |t| Ok(Tick(t.0.checked_add(lt.0).ok_or_else(|| effect_time_error("anim.applyPreset"))?)))?;
+                g.reassign_uids(&mut next);
+                next += 1;
+                list.children.push(Node::Group(g));
+                applied += 1;
+            }
+        }
+        // Without this, a preset that fits no layer does nothing and says nothing.
+        if applied == 0 && !skipped.is_empty() {
+            let legacy_text = doc[PRESET_TAG].as_u64().unwrap_or(1) < PRESET_VERSION && props.iter().any(|(path, _)| path.starts_with("text/animators/"));
+            let message = if legacy_text {
+                "nothing in this preset fits the layer. A text animation preset saved by an earlier version only updates animators a layer already has: save it again"
+            } else {
+                "nothing in this preset fits the selected layer(s)"
+            };
+            return Err(bad("anim.applyPreset", message));
         }
         proj.next_id = next;
         Ok(())
     })?;
+    // Animation ▸ Recent Animation Presets.
+    if let Some(path) = str_p(p, "path") {
+        s.prefs.push_recent_preset(path);
+        s.save_prefs();
+        s.prefs_revision += 1;
+    }
     Ok(json!({"applied": applied, "skipped": skipped}))
 }
 
@@ -540,11 +624,19 @@ pub fn specs() -> Vec<CommandSpec> {
             "Save Animation Preset...",
             ["Animation"],
             None,
-            "{path (.ecpreset), name?} — saves the selected properties/effects",
+            "{path (.ecpreset), name?} — saves the selected properties/effects; a text animator with a selected property is saved whole",
             has_selected_props,
             save_preset
         ),
-        cmd!("anim.applyPreset", "Apply Animation Preset...", ["Animation"], None, "{path | preset, layers?}", has_layers, apply_preset),
+        cmd!(
+            "anim.applyPreset",
+            "Apply Animation Preset...",
+            ["Animation"],
+            None,
+            "{path | preset, layers?} — saved effects and text animators are added to each layer, with their keys at the CTI",
+            has_layers,
+            apply_preset
+        ),
         cmd!("anim.addKeyframe", "Add Keyframe", ["Animation"], None, "{} — keys the selected properties at the CTI", has_selected_props, add_keyframe),
         cmd!(
             "keys.exponentialScale",
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/cmd/text_anim.rs b/crates/engine/src/cmd/text_anim.rs
index ce9c1fe46..60567e285 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/cmd/text_anim.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/cmd/text_anim.rs
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ fn has_animator(s: &Session) -> std::result::Result<(), String> {
     if any { Ok(()) } else { Err("add a text animator first".into()) }
 }
 
-fn per_char_on(l: &Layer) -> bool {
+pub(super) fn per_char_on(l: &Layer) -> bool {
     l.props.prop("text/perChar3d").is_some_and(|p| p.value.as_bool())
 }
 
@@ -203,32 +203,38 @@ fn set_animators_3d(ids: &mut Ids, l: &mut Layer, on: bool) {
     let Some(anims) = l.props.group_mut("text/animators") else { return };
     for c in anims.children.iter_mut() {
         let Node::Group(a) = c else { continue };
-        let Some(props) = a.sub_mut("properties") else { continue };
-        for c in props.children.iter_mut() {
-            if let Node::Prop(p) = c
-                && matches!(p.match_id.as_str(), "anchor" | "position" | "scale")
-            {
-                p.shown_dims = if on { 3 } else { 2 };
-                if let KV::Vec2(v) = p.value {
-                    p.value = KV::Vec3([v[0], v[1], if p.match_id == "scale" { 100.0 } else { 0.0 }]);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        let has_rot = props.get("rotation").is_some();
-        if on && has_rot && props.get("rotationX").is_none() {
-            let at = props.children.iter().position(|c| c.match_id() == "rotation").unwrap_or(0);
-            let rx = ids.prop("rotationX", "X Rotation", KV::Scalar(0.0)).with_ui(effectcraft_project::ParamUi::Angle);
-            let ry = ids.prop("rotationY", "Y Rotation", KV::Scalar(0.0)).with_ui(effectcraft_project::ParamUi::Angle);
-            props.children.insert(at, ry.into());
-            props.children.insert(at, rx.into());
-        }
-        if !on {
+        set_animator_3d(ids, a, on);
+        if !on && let Some(props) = a.sub_mut("properties") {
             props.children.retain(|c| !matches!(c.match_id(), "rotationX" | "rotationY"));
         }
-        if let Some(r) = props.get_mut("rotation") {
-            r.name = if on { "Z Rotation".into() } else { "Rotation".into() };
+    }
+}
+
+/// Show or hide an animator's Z components and add the X / Y rotation it lacks. X / Y rotation it
+/// has stays when `on` is false: a 2D layer doesn't draw it, and a preset's keys aren't lost.
+pub(super) fn set_animator_3d(ids: &mut Ids, a: &mut PropGroup, on: bool) {
+    let Some(props) = a.sub_mut("properties") else { return };
+    for c in props.children.iter_mut() {
+        if let Node::Prop(p) = c
+            && matches!(p.match_id.as_str(), "anchor" | "position" | "scale")
+        {
+            p.shown_dims = if on { 3 } else { 2 };
+            if let KV::Vec2(v) = p.value {
+                p.value = KV::Vec3([v[0], v[1], if p.match_id == "scale" { 100.0 } else { 0.0 }]);
+            }
         }
     }
+    let has_rot = props.get("rotation").is_some();
+    if on && has_rot && props.get("rotationX").is_none() {
+        let at = props.children.iter().position(|c| c.match_id() == "rotation").unwrap_or(0);
+        let rx = ids.prop("rotationX", "X Rotation", KV::Scalar(0.0)).with_ui(effectcraft_project::ParamUi::Angle);
+        let ry = ids.prop("rotationY", "Y Rotation", KV::Scalar(0.0)).with_ui(effectcraft_project::ParamUi::Angle);
+        props.children.insert(at, ry.into());
+        props.children.insert(at, rx.into());
+    }
+    if let Some(r) = props.get_mut("rotation") {
+        r.name = if on { "Z Rotation".into() } else { "Rotation".into() };
+    }
 }
 
 fn enable_per_char(s: &mut Session, p: &Value) -> Result<Value> {
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests.rs
index df0853398..87180e370 100644
--- a/crates/engine/src/tests.rs
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests.rs
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ mod styles;
 mod tail;
 mod text;
 mod text_edit;
+mod text_presets;
 mod three_d;
 mod timeline;
 mod timeline_interchange;
diff --git a/crates/engine/src/tests/text_presets.rs b/crates/engine/src/tests/text_presets.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..76cdc1aba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/engine/src/tests/text_presets.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,392 @@
+//! Animation presets that hold text animators (#2530): an animator is saved whole and made again
+//! on the layer it is applied to, with its keys at the playhead.
+
+use effectcraft_keyframe::{Keyframe, Value as KV};
+use effectcraft_project::{LayerId, PropGroup};
+use effectcraft_time::Tick;
+use serde_json::{Value, json};
+
+use crate::Session;
+
+fn session() -> Session {
+    let mut s = Session::default();
+    s.execute("comp.new", json!({"name": "C", "width": 640, "height": 360, "frameRate": 30, "duration": 10})).unwrap();
+    s
+}
+
+fn new_text(s: &mut Session, text: &str) -> u64 {
+    s.execute("layer.newText", json!({"text": text, "size": 60})).unwrap()["layer"].as_u64().unwrap()
+}
+
+fn animators(s: &Session, layer: u64) -> Vec<PropGroup> {
+    let l = s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(LayerId(layer)).unwrap();
+    l.props.group("text/animators").unwrap().groups().cloned().collect()
+}
+
+fn names(s: &Session, layer: u64) -> Vec<String> {
+    animators(s, layer).into_iter().map(|g| g.name).collect()
+}
+
+/// No two properties or groups on any layer share a uid.
+fn assert_uids_are_unique(s: &Session) {
+    fn collect(v: &Value, out: &mut Vec<u64>) {
+        match v {
+            Value::Object(o) => {
+                out.extend(o.get("uid").and_then(Value::as_u64));
+                o.values().for_each(|c| collect(c, out));
+            }
+            Value::Array(a) => a.iter().for_each(|c| collect(c, out)),
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+    let mut uids = vec![];
+    for l in &s.active_comp().unwrap().layers {
+        collect(&serde_json::to_value(&l.props).unwrap(), &mut uids);
+    }
+    let all = uids.len();
+    uids.sort_unstable();
+    uids.dedup();
+    assert_eq!(uids.len(), all);
+}
+
+/// A named animator that fades characters on: Opacity 0, a Range Selector's End keyed from 0 at
+/// 1s to 100 at 2s, a Based On setting, an expression on its Offset, and a Wiggly Selector.
+fn fade_on(s: &mut Session, layer: u64, name: &str) -> u64 {
+    let animator = s.execute("layer.addTextAnimator", json!({"layer": layer, "properties": ["opacity"], "name": name})).unwrap()["animator"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    s.execute("layer.addTextSelector", json!({"layer": layer, "animator": animator, "kind": "wiggly"})).unwrap();
+    let g = animators(s, layer).into_iter().find(|g| g.uid == animator).unwrap();
+    let selector = |path: &str| g.prop(&format!("selectors/rangeSelector/{path}")).unwrap().uid;
+    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": layer, "prop": g.prop("properties/opacity").unwrap().uid, "value": 0})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("prop.set", json!({"layer": layer, "prop": selector("advanced/basedOn"), "value": 2})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("prop.setExpression", json!({"layer": layer, "prop": selector("offset"), "expression": "time * 10"})).unwrap();
+    for (time, value) in [(1.0, 0.0), (2.0, 100.0)] {
+        s.execute("prop.addKey", json!({"layer": layer, "prop": selector("end"), "time": time, "value": value})).unwrap();
+    }
+    animator
+}
+
+fn preset_path(name: &str) -> String {
+    std::env::temp_dir().join(format!("ec-2530-{name}-{}.ecpreset", std::process::id())).to_string_lossy().to_string()
+}
+
+/// Select each property or group in `selected` on `layer` and save them to a new preset file.
+fn save(s: &mut Session, name: &str, layer: u64, selected: &[u64]) -> String {
+    for (i, prop) in selected.iter().enumerate() {
+        s.execute("prop.select", json!({"layer": layer, "prop": prop, "add": i > 0})).unwrap();
+    }
+    let path = preset_path(name);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+    s.execute("anim.savePreset", json!({"path": path})).unwrap();
+    path
+}
+
+fn apply(s: &mut Session, path: &str, layer: u64, at: f64) -> Value {
+    s.execute("time.set", json!({"time": at})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"path": path, "layers": [layer]})).unwrap()
+}
+
+/// `g` as JSON without its uids, with its keys moved `by` seconds: what must match between a
+/// saved animator and the animator made from it.
+fn content(g: &PropGroup, by: f64) -> Value {
+    fn drop_uids(v: &mut Value) {
+        match v {
+            Value::Object(o) => {
+                o.remove("uid");
+                o.values_mut().for_each(drop_uids);
+            }
+            Value::Array(a) => a.iter_mut().for_each(drop_uids),
+            _ => {}
+        }
+    }
+    let mut g = g.clone();
+    g.walk_mut(&mut |p| p.keys.iter_mut().for_each(|k| k.time += Tick::from_seconds_f64(by)));
+    let mut v = serde_json::to_value(g).unwrap();
+    drop_uids(&mut v);
+    v
+}
+
+/// #2530, #3114: the steps in the reports. The whole animator is selected and saved, then applied
+/// to a new text layer with the playhead at 3s.
+#[test]
+fn a_saved_animator_applies_to_a_new_text_layer() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let source = new_text(&mut s, "Source");
+    let animator = fade_on(&mut s, source, "Fade In");
+    let path = save(&mut s, "new-layer", source, &[animator]);
+    let saved = animators(&s, source);
+    let target = new_text(&mut s, "Target");
+
+    let r = apply(&mut s, &path, target, 3.0);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+
+    assert_eq!(r["skipped"], json!([]), "{r}");
+    let made = animators(&s, target);
+    assert_eq!(made.len(), 1, "{r}");
+    // The earliest key, at 1s on the source, lands on the playhead: 2s later.
+    assert_eq!(content(&made[0], 0.0), content(&saved[0], 2.0));
+    let keys: Vec<f64> = made[0].prop("selectors/rangeSelector/end").unwrap().keys.iter().map(|k| k.time.seconds()).collect();
+    assert_eq!(keys, [3.0, 4.0]);
+}
+
+/// One selected property brings its whole animator: End alone would key a selector with nothing
+/// to reveal. The file holds the animator, not the property as well.
+#[test]
+fn one_selected_property_saves_its_whole_animator() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let source = new_text(&mut s, "Source");
+    fade_on(&mut s, source, "Fade In");
+    let saved = animators(&s, source);
+    let end = saved[0].prop("selectors/rangeSelector/end").unwrap().uid;
+    let path = save(&mut s, "one-property", source, &[end]);
+    let file: Value = serde_json::from_str(&std::fs::read_to_string(&path).unwrap()).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(file["effectcraftAnimationPreset"], 3);
+    assert_eq!(file["properties"], json!([]));
+    assert_eq!(file["textAnimators"].as_array().unwrap().len(), 1);
+    let target = new_text(&mut s, "Target");
+
+    let r = apply(&mut s, &path, target, 0.0);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+
+    assert_eq!(r["applied"], 1, "{r}");
+    assert_eq!(content(&animators(&s, target)[0], 0.0), content(&saved[0], -1.0));
+}
+
+/// A preset adds to the animators a layer has, which stay as they are, in the order the animators
+/// were saved in whatever order they were selected, with new uids, as one Undo step.
+#[test]
+fn a_preset_adds_to_the_animators_a_layer_has() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let source = new_text(&mut s, "Source");
+    let one = fade_on(&mut s, source, "One");
+    let two = fade_on(&mut s, source, "Two");
+    let path = save(&mut s, "existing", source, &[two, one]);
+    let target = new_text(&mut s, "Target");
+    let mine = fade_on(&mut s, target, "Mine");
+    s.execute("prop.select", json!({"layer": target, "prop": mine})).unwrap();
+    let before = animators(&s, target);
+    let selected = s.state.selected_props.clone();
+    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+
+    apply(&mut s, &path, target, 3.0);
+
+    assert_eq!(names(&s, target), ["Mine", "One", "Two"]);
+    assert_eq!(animators(&s, target)[0], before[0]);
+    assert_eq!(s.state.selected_props, selected);
+    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps + 1);
+    assert_uids_are_unique(&s);
+    s.execute("edit.undo", json!({})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(animators(&s, target), before);
+    s.execute("edit.redo", json!({})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(names(&s, target), ["Mine", "One", "Two"]);
+
+    // The layer it was saved from gets another copy, as it does of a saved effect.
+    apply(&mut s, &path, source, 3.0);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+    assert_eq!(names(&s, source), ["One", "Two", "One", "Two"]);
+    assert_uids_are_unique(&s);
+}
+
+/// An animator fits the Per-character 3D setting of the layer it lands on and nothing else
+/// changes. X / Y rotation saved with a 3D animator stays on a 2D layer, which doesn't draw it,
+/// and is there when the layer turns 3D.
+#[test]
+fn an_animator_fits_the_per_character_3d_setting_of_its_layer() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let round = new_text(&mut s, "Round");
+    s.execute("layer.enablePerChar3D", json!({"layer": round, "enabled": true})).unwrap();
+    let spin =
+        s.execute("layer.addTextAnimator", json!({"layer": round, "properties": ["rotation", "scale"], "name": "Spin"})).unwrap()["animator"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let x = animators(&s, round)[0].prop("properties/rotationX").unwrap().uid;
+    for (time, value) in [(1.0, 0.0), (2.0, 90.0)] {
+        s.execute("prop.addKey", json!({"layer": round, "prop": x, "time": time, "value": value})).unwrap();
+    }
+    let round_preset = save(&mut s, "round", round, &[spin]);
+    let flat = new_text(&mut s, "Flat");
+    let tilt =
+        s.execute("layer.addTextAnimator", json!({"layer": flat, "properties": ["rotation", "scale"], "name": "Tilt"})).unwrap()["animator"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let flat_preset = save(&mut s, "flat", flat, &[tilt]);
+    let get = |g: &PropGroup, path: &str| g.prop(&format!("properties/{path}")).unwrap().clone();
+
+    // 3D animator, 2D layer.
+    let keeps = animators(&s, flat)[0].clone();
+    apply(&mut s, &round_preset, flat, 0.0);
+    assert_eq!(animators(&s, flat)[0], keeps);
+    let made = animators(&s, flat)[1].clone();
+    assert_eq!(get(&made, "rotationX").keys.len(), 2);
+    assert_eq!(get(&made, "rotation").name, "Rotation");
+    assert_eq!(get(&made, "scale").shown_dims, 2);
+    let l = s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(LayerId(flat)).unwrap();
+    assert!(!l.switches.three_d && !l.props.prop("text/perChar3d").unwrap().value.as_bool());
+    s.execute("layer.enablePerChar3D", json!({"layer": flat, "enabled": true})).unwrap();
+    let made = animators(&s, flat)[1].clone();
+    assert_eq!(get(&made, "rotationX").keys.len(), 2);
+    assert_eq!(made.sub("properties").unwrap().children.iter().filter(|c| c.match_id() == "rotationX").count(), 1);
+
+    // 2D animator, 3D layer.
+    let keeps = animators(&s, round);
+    apply(&mut s, &flat_preset, round, 0.0);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&round_preset);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&flat_preset);
+    assert_eq!(animators(&s, round)[0], keeps[0]);
+    let made = animators(&s, round)[1].clone();
+    assert_eq!(get(&made, "rotation").name, "Z Rotation");
+    assert_eq!(get(&made, "rotationY").name, "Y Rotation");
+    assert_eq!(get(&made, "scale").shown_dims, 3);
+    assert_uids_are_unique(&s);
+}
+
+/// With the Per-character 3D setting saved too (the whole Text group is selected), a layer turns
+/// 3D as `layer.enablePerChar3D` makes it, in the one Undo step: the setting alone wouldn't draw.
+#[test]
+fn a_saved_per_character_3d_setting_makes_the_layer_3d() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let round = new_text(&mut s, "Round");
+    s.execute("layer.enablePerChar3D", json!({"layer": round, "enabled": true})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("layer.addTextAnimator", json!({"layer": round, "properties": ["rotation"]})).unwrap();
+    let text = s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(LayerId(round)).unwrap().props.sub("text").unwrap().uid;
+    let path = save(&mut s, "per-char", round, &[text]);
+    let target = new_text(&mut s, "Target");
+    s.execute("layer.addTextAnimator", json!({"layer": target, "properties": ["rotation"], "name": "Existing"})).unwrap();
+    let existing = animators(&s, target)[0].clone();
+    assert!(existing.prop("properties/rotationX").is_none());
+    let is_3d = |s: &Session| {
+        let l = s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(LayerId(target)).unwrap();
+        (l.switches.three_d, l.props.prop("text/perChar3d").unwrap().value.as_bool())
+    };
+
+    apply(&mut s, &path, target, 0.0);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+
+    assert_eq!(is_3d(&s), (true, true));
+    let after = animators(&s, target);
+    assert_eq!(after.len(), 2);
+    assert!(after[0].prop("properties/rotationX").is_some());
+    assert!(after[0].prop("properties/rotationY").is_some());
+    assert!(after[1].prop("properties/rotationX").is_some());
+    assert_uids_are_unique(&s);
+    s.execute("edit.undo", json!({})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(is_3d(&s), (false, false));
+    assert_eq!(animators(&s, target), vec![existing]);
+}
+
+/// Turning per-character 3D off through a saved Text group also updates existing controls.
+#[test]
+fn a_saved_2d_setting_updates_existing_3d_animators_without_losing_rotation() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let source = new_text(&mut s, "Flat source");
+    let text = s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(LayerId(source)).unwrap().props.sub("text").unwrap().uid;
+    let path = save(&mut s, "disable-3d", source, &[text]);
+    let target = new_text(&mut s, "3D target");
+    s.execute("layer.enablePerChar3D", json!({"layer": target, "enabled": true})).unwrap();
+    s.execute("layer.addTextAnimator", json!({"layer": target, "properties": ["rotation", "scale"]})).unwrap();
+    let before = animators(&s, target)[0].clone();
+    let rotation_x = before.prop("properties/rotationX").unwrap().uid;
+    s.execute("prop.addKey", json!({"layer": target, "prop": rotation_x, "time": 1.0, "value": 45})).unwrap();
+    apply(&mut s, &path, target, 0.0);
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+    let after = animators(&s, target)[0].clone();
+    assert_eq!(after.prop("properties/scale").unwrap().shown_dims, 2);
+    assert_eq!(after.prop("properties/rotation").unwrap().name, "Rotation");
+    assert_eq!(after.prop("properties/rotationX").unwrap().keys.len(), 1);
+    assert_uids_are_unique(&s);
+}
+
+/// A preset that fits no layer says so and leaves the project and history as they were. With a
+/// text layer among the targets it applies there and reports the other layer.
+#[test]
+fn a_preset_that_fits_no_layer_is_an_error() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let source = new_text(&mut s, "Source");
+    let animator = fade_on(&mut s, source, "Fade In");
+    let path = save(&mut s, "no-fit", source, &[animator]);
+    let solid = s.execute("layer.newSolid", json!({"color": "#ff0000", "width": 100, "height": 100})).unwrap()["layer"].as_u64().unwrap();
+    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+    let recent = s.prefs.recent_presets.clone();
+    let revision = s.prefs_revision;
+
+    let r = s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"path": path, "layers": [solid]}));
+    assert!(r.unwrap_err().to_string().contains("nothing in this preset fits"));
+    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps);
+    assert_eq!(s.prefs.recent_presets, recent);
+    assert_eq!(s.prefs_revision, revision);
+
+    let r = s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"path": path, "layers": [solid, source]})).unwrap();
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+    assert_eq!((r["applied"].as_u64(), r["skipped"].clone()), (Some(1), json!(["text/animators/Fade In"])));
+}
+
+/// A preset saved by an earlier version holds loose paths. It updates an animator a layer has as
+/// it always did, and on a layer without one it says to save the preset again.
+#[test]
+fn an_older_preset_updates_animators_and_asks_to_be_saved_again_without_them() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let source = new_text(&mut s, "Source");
+    fade_on(&mut s, source, "Fade In");
+    let path = "text/animators/animator/properties/opacity";
+    let preset = json!({"effectcraftAnimationPreset": 2, "properties": [{"path": path, "value": KV::Scalar(40.0), "keys": []}], "effects": []});
+
+    let r = s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"preset": preset, "layers": [source]})).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(r["applied"], 1, "{r}");
+    assert_eq!(animators(&s, source).len(), 1);
+    assert_eq!(s.active_comp().unwrap().layer(LayerId(source)).unwrap().props.prop(path).unwrap().value, KV::Scalar(40.0));
+
+    let fresh = new_text(&mut s, "Fresh");
+    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+    let r = s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"preset": preset, "layers": [fresh]}));
+    assert!(r.unwrap_err().to_string().contains("save it again"));
+    assert_eq!(animators(&s, fresh), vec![]);
+    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps);
+}
+
+/// A malformed file, or a key that can't move to a later layer's playhead, is an error that
+/// changes nothing, on the layers before it too.
+#[test]
+fn a_bad_preset_changes_nothing() {
+    let mut s = session();
+    let source = new_text(&mut s, "Source");
+    fade_on(&mut s, source, "Fade In");
+    let good = serde_json::to_value(&animators(&s, source)[0]).unwrap();
+    let mut other = good.clone();
+    other["match"] = json!("rangeSelector");
+    let early = new_text(&mut s, "Early");
+    let late = new_text(&mut s, "Late");
+    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+    let unchanged = |s: &Session| {
+        assert_eq!((animators(s, early), animators(s, late)), (vec![], vec![]));
+        assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps);
+    };
+    for list in [json!("not a list"), json!([good, 5]), json!([good, other])] {
+        let preset = json!({"effectcraftAnimationPreset": 3, "textAnimators": list});
+        let r = s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"preset": preset, "layers": [early]}));
+        assert!(r.unwrap_err().to_string().contains("bad text animator"));
+        unchanged(&s);
+    }
+
+    // The parser refuses a file nested past its limit, before anything walks it.
+    let path = preset_path("deep");
+    let deep = format!("{{\"effectcraftAnimationPreset\":3,\"textAnimators\":{}{}}}", "[".repeat(20_000), "]".repeat(20_000));
+    std::fs::write(&path, deep).unwrap();
+    let r = s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"path": path, "layers": [early]}));
+    let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+    assert!(r.unwrap_err().to_string().contains("not a preset"));
+    unchanged(&s);
+
+    // `late` starts before `early`, so only `late` has a layer-time playhead past 0.
+    let cid = s.active_comp_id().unwrap();
+    s.edit("Start Earlier", None, |proj, _| {
+        proj.comp_mut(cid).unwrap().layer_mut(LayerId(late)).unwrap().start_time = Tick::from_seconds_f64(-1.0);
+        Ok(())
+    })
+    .unwrap();
+    let steps = s.history.undo.len();
+    let mut last = animators(&s, source)[0].clone();
+    last.walk_mut(&mut |p| {
+        if p.match_id == "end" {
+            p.keys = vec![Keyframe::new(Tick(i64::MAX), KV::Scalar(0.0))];
+        }
+    });
+    let preset = json!({"effectcraftAnimationPreset": 3, "textAnimators": [last]});
+    assert!(s.execute("anim.applyPreset", json!({"preset": preset, "layers": [early, late]})).is_err());
+    assert_eq!((animators(&s, early), animators(&s, late)), (vec![], vec![]));
+    assert_eq!(s.history.undo.len(), steps);
+}