You might be interested in
pt_OpenSesame [link], which would give you a better avenue for automation than AE's XML does, or
CompsFromSpreadsheet [link].
Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at
Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog - What I'm thinking when my workstation's thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events