Boris Continuum Complete 8 was recently released and is always a get set of plug-ins to have.
To speed up your work :) As with third-party plugins, you can replace your time of animation, sharing projects, and other things.
The best plugin I used is AEJuice Pack Manager, where I could save the composition and reimport it in the timeline. Also, there are lots of cool paid and free products, that took my eye :)
DUIK BASSEL - FREE!!
It provides the main rigging tools, found in any 3D software, like IK, controllers, and bones, but adapts them to 2D animation in After Effects.
AND ITS FREE…….
RubberHose - Battle Axe
The fastest and simplest way to rig and animate characters in After Effects.
Limber -
Limber can generate two types of limb by default - tapers and bones.
DUIK BASSEL - FREE!!
It provides the main rigging tools, found in any 3D software, like IK, controllers, and bones, but adapts them to 2D animation in After Effects.
AND ITS FREE…….
RubberHose - Battle Axe
The fastest and simplest way to rig and animate characters in After Effects.
Limber -
Limber can generate two types of limb by default - tapers and bones.
There are a few plugins that won't make the list below because they have been absorbed by After Effects and are now part of the program like Keylight and Mocha.
Every studio or person is going to have their personal preference, but If by "Top" you mean most widely sold and used, there are a few that you will find in most industry arsenals.
Trapcode Particular
Trapcode Form
Knoll Light Factory
VC Optical Flares
Foundry Camera Tracker
Bojou
Twixtor
Reel Smart Motion Blur (RSMB)
Background Renderer
Damage
And there are some excellent new plugins that are being adopted and used more and more frequen
There are a few plugins that won't make the list below because they have been absorbed by After Effects and are now part of the program like Keylight and Mocha.
Every studio or person is going to have their personal preference, but If by "Top" you mean most widely sold and used, there are a few that you will find in most industry arsenals.
Trapcode Particular
Trapcode Form
Knoll Light Factory
VC Optical Flares
Foundry Camera Tracker
Bojou
Twixtor
Reel Smart Motion Blur (RSMB)
Background Renderer
Damage
And there are some excellent new plugins that are being adopted and used more and more frequently. These new plugins will give you an edge on your competition.
VC Element 3D -Mind blowing possibilities with 3d in AE.
Plexus
Trapcode Mir
There are also heavily used utility plugins that allow you to transfer rendered footage and camera position data from 3D programs (like 3Ds Max, Maya, and Cinema 4D) directly into your after effects projects. Most of these plugins are a free download from 3D software providers.
Element 3D (released in late 2012) allows you to render your 3D objects and animated sequences directly inside After effects without the need to transfer pre-rendered footage and camera position data. Huge time saver and makes project direction more flexible allowing quick lighting, and position camera angle changes to your 3d objects and scenes.
Best to decide what plugins you or your company will need based on the kind of work you want to deliver.
This article introduces several plugin companies and may introduce you to plugins you may want to add to your workflow:
15 Companies That Make After Effects Plug-ins
some top 5 after effects plugin is
1. RowByte – Plexus 3
2.REDGIANT – Trapcode Particular
3.REDGIANT – Trapcode Form
4.RainBox – DUIK
5. Particle Builder Elemental Pack
for learn moree about it..
https://instroreview.com/effects-plugins/My answer -> AEJuice Pack Manager, with their products inside that plugin. The best thing I found on Google as it saved me lots of time. Even though they have lots of products, if something is broken, their support is providing the info and devs are fixing the issue. It is what I had with them around a month ago. There was some bad update, and I visited their support, they provided me with how to take logs and send them to them, and in a few hours, I got another plug-in version where it was fixed. So the best company I ever used :)
10 Best After Effects Plugins
Animation Composer
RainBox – DUIK
Saber
Element 3D
Optical Flare
Trapcode Particular
Overlord
Fx Console
Roto Brush 2.0
Mocha Pro
I'll add a follow up to Carmeron Crest's answer as I am the developer of Templater by DataClay. Thanks, Cameron, for linking to Templater!
Getting AE to communicate with external data is a bit of a chore, and especially if the data is on a different network than the machine that runs AE. Supporting the older versions of AE, prior to CC, makes it even more challenging. You can achieve external data consumption in a much easier fashion with newer versions of CC using their CEP panels implemented with HTML5 / JS, but then the packaging of the plugin becomes a bit cumbersome. In order to suppor
I'll add a follow up to Carmeron Crest's answer as I am the developer of Templater by DataClay. Thanks, Cameron, for linking to Templater!
Getting AE to communicate with external data is a bit of a chore, and especially if the data is on a different network than the machine that runs AE. Supporting the older versions of AE, prior to CC, makes it even more challenging. You can achieve external data consumption in a much easier fashion with newer versions of CC using their CEP panels implemented with HTML5 / JS, but then the packaging of the plugin becomes a bit cumbersome. In order to support AE CS5+, DataClay chose to do a pure Extendscript implementation of Templater.
Templater does exactly what you are looking for and was designed from the ground up with the user in mind. The workflow problem you describe at your studio is exactly the one that DataClay wished to solve with Templater. Several of Templater's existing users come from the sports stats world, too, and many have benefited from it.
While you could develop a plugin on your own, it can take quite a bit of time when you consider that you might have to re-scale and or re-position text or footage as it gets injected into your video compositions. Templater already handles that logic for you. The newest version of Premiere supports something called Live Text Templates, so you may be able to dynamically link an AE composition with dynnamic layers marked with the "Templater Settings" effect within your Premiere sequence. We have not tested how that might works, but it's worth a spin!
Check out more information about Templater here:
(A2A) The ones that solve the problem at hand.
Yep, old man talking. I used to think that the new effects package would give me all kinds of ideas and make my work for me, but then I realized that
- the software is good for realizing your ideas, not for creating them,
- you can tell which n00bs relied on their plugins to give them ideas. Their reel looks like a demo for BorisFX or whoever. Luckily, we don’t see this dreck as often nowadays.
So, I hope you aren’t expecting effects to give you ideas. Certainly, not at the default settings: over time, you’ll figure out how to make them work for you.
But h
(A2A) The ones that solve the problem at hand.
Yep, old man talking. I used to think that the new effects package would give me all kinds of ideas and make my work for me, but then I realized that
- the software is good for realizing your ideas, not for creating them,
- you can tell which n00bs relied on their plugins to give them ideas. Their reel looks like a demo for BorisFX or whoever. Luckily, we don’t see this dreck as often nowadays.
So, I hope you aren’t expecting effects to give you ideas. Certainly, not at the default settings: over time, you’ll figure out how to make them work for you.
But here are the effects I use most, in each (but not all) category, from top down:
- stereo mixer (not audio levels)
- Gaussian Blur
- invert
- Colorama, curves, hue/sat, levels
- Transform, Turbulent Displace
- Slider Control
- Fill, Gradient Ramp, Radio Waves
- Simple Choker
- Fractal Noise, Turbulent Noise
- Color Key (apply to different areas and stack the effect)
- Drop Shadow (sometimes)
- Foam (not with bubbles)
- Glow, Motion Tile
- TimeWarp
- Grow Bounds
I also rely on the Trapcode Suite fairly often.
video copilot Fx console is the best plugin for after effect,
it increases the speed and workflow in after effect,
With a single shortcut key you can access FX Console!
and with Fx Console you can excess every plugin, effect or preset in seconds,
just select the layer and open Fx Console and apply any effect to the layer.
Main Features:
- Access FX & Presets quickly
- Create FX Shortcuts
- Create FX Overrides
- Customize FX Search
- Export Snapshot with PNG
- Access Multiple Snapshots
- Automatic Snapshot Tool & Gallery
- Sample colors from Gallery
- Re-import directly from Gallery
- Dockable Panel & More!
What do you mean?
All After Effects plugins are supported on all platforms.
After Effects runs on Windows and Apple OS, so Adobe doesn’t certify single platform plugins.
Would highly recommended DUIK. It's free and you can use this plug-in for professional rigs.
Another plug-in worth mentioning is Rubberhose. It's a paid plug-in but easy to use and gives you excellent control over your rigs.
I think it was AEJuice Pack Manager, and it is still a good plugin in 2023, as they are adding lots of new products each month, and as a long-time user of those products, I can recommend the product, as I am a satisfied user :)
Native Instruments Reaktor allows you to create your own effects. It is the ultimate music design application.
For years the watermarks for AE plugins have been an “x” that goes across the screen, from corner to corner, usually a bright color. You can’t miss it and you can’t really cover it.
Image from Google.
It’s fine if you are just testing the plug-in, but unacceptable for any kind of real work. You might try to key it out or use the “wire removal” effect to make it go away, but the result won’t be perfe
For years the watermarks for AE plugins have been an “x” that goes across the screen, from corner to corner, usually a bright color. You can’t miss it and you can’t really cover it.
Image from Google.
It’s fine if you are just testing the plug-in, but unacceptable for any kind of real work. You might try to key it out or use the “wire removal” effect to make it go away, but the result won’t be perfect.
But all this is irrelevant. If you haven’t paid for the plug-in you...
The only alternative come to my mind with similar (if not superior) function to Element 3D Plugin, is the Cineware + Cinema 4D Lite from MAXON built into After Effects. It does quite the same job for what Element 3D does, with some plus.
Along with some MoGraph modules that enables you to animate a 3D object, it also enables you to easily transform and manipulate your 3D objects. Even you can texture it, set the lighting, and modify the object like all the other 3D software because you will do it in Cinema 4D Lite version! (if you have paid license, it will use that though).
And the best is it c
The only alternative come to my mind with similar (if not superior) function to Element 3D Plugin, is the Cineware + Cinema 4D Lite from MAXON built into After Effects. It does quite the same job for what Element 3D does, with some plus.
Along with some MoGraph modules that enables you to animate a 3D object, it also enables you to easily transform and manipulate your 3D objects. Even you can texture it, set the lighting, and modify the object like all the other 3D software because you will do it in Cinema 4D Lite version! (if you have paid license, it will use that though).
And the best is it comes free and bundled with After Effects.
The plug ins I use the most depends of course on the project I’m doing. I really like Video Co-pilot’s Element 3D which allows you to do real 3d inside after effects. I’ve done logos and city blocks inside that plug in. I have a client who’s program’s title includes the word “vault” so I’ve built a vault in that plugin.
All of the trapcode family are great plug ins that do amazing things. I will go
The plug ins I use the most depends of course on the project I’m doing. I really like Video Co-pilot’s Element 3D which allows you to do real 3d inside after effects. I’ve done logos and city blocks inside that plug in. I have a client who’s program’s title includes the word “vault” so I’ve built a vault in that plugin.
All of the trapcode family are great plug ins that do amazing things. I will go through projects where I’m using 3D stroke, shine, and others all the time.
I’m currently doing some history programs so either buying or creating high rez maps and then moving around them and creating trails uses stroke.
While many effects can now be done in Premiere, I still use AE for a lot of Text graphics either using their animation properties of building lower thirds. While the Premiere text tool has gotten much better, it’s still kind of clunky compared to the speed I can go text work in AE and render it out.
So like so many questions, the answer depend...
mO2 ( mObject2 ) by MotionVFX for Apples Final Cut Pro and Motion is in many respects a similar kind of plug-in to Element 3D for After Effects. I have both.
Adobe Character Animation CC is an extension of After Effects and with it you can use motion capture using camera to create movements. If you’re used to layers in Photoshop or Illustrator, maybe this sofware will be useful for you. There are also plenty of tutorials on Youtube, good luck!
Create a new composition and then create a solid within the composition. With the sold selected, either use the “Effects and Presets” menu (usually located on the right side of AE) to find your plugins and effects, or use the “Effect” menu on the top menu bar to find your plugin. Imported plugins are usually categorized by company/creator name. EXAMPLE You can find Video Copilot plugins in the Video Copilot section. Same with Red Giant or Trapcode.
Once you find the plugin you want to use, drag it to the solid layer (or in the case of using the top menu, just click the plugins name to add it to
Create a new composition and then create a solid within the composition. With the sold selected, either use the “Effects and Presets” menu (usually located on the right side of AE) to find your plugins and effects, or use the “Effect” menu on the top menu bar to find your plugin. Imported plugins are usually categorized by company/creator name. EXAMPLE You can find Video Copilot plugins in the Video Copilot section. Same with Red Giant or Trapcode.
Once you find the plugin you want to use, drag it to the solid layer (or in the case of using the top menu, just click the plugins name to add it to the layer).
Try the plugins offered by Mr. Horse especially the animation composer. This is a pretty handy plugin to do super quick quality animation. There are free presets available to try for lifetime.
Plugins are designed for two things; added functionality/value, and saving time. With added functionality you’re giving the user the ability to perform certain tasks that they couldn’t do with it right out of the box. For people who make their living with AE they know it can add a lot of value to their work. While I’m no programmer, I can only assume it takes a lot of work and high level skills that takes years to perfect in order to be able to create those plugins, especially if they do complex tasks.
Secondly, plugins are also designed not only to add functionality to the software, but many o
Plugins are designed for two things; added functionality/value, and saving time. With added functionality you’re giving the user the ability to perform certain tasks that they couldn’t do with it right out of the box. For people who make their living with AE they know it can add a lot of value to their work. While I’m no programmer, I can only assume it takes a lot of work and high level skills that takes years to perfect in order to be able to create those plugins, especially if they do complex tasks.
Secondly, plugins are also designed not only to add functionality to the software, but many of them save you a ton of time, which allows you to get your work done faster so you can move on to other things.
There are a number of free plugins you can download that are pretty neat though. Check out FxFactory. They have all kinds of plugins, both paid and quite a few free ones.
There are three particle generators. There is also quite a group of effects that come from both Adobe and third parties. These are just a couple of plug-in highlights and bundles included in AE CC as of 2022–23
Cineware and Cinema 4D lite - Maxon
Keylight - The Foundry
several generators from Cycore Effects.
The only one I can think of that is close to similar is Zaxwerks ProAnimator. However, there is nothing quite like Element 3D. Element 3D is at its core a 3D particle system. Most of the time when I use it the particle count is 1, but that functionality to be able to animate and automate 3D par...
For me Element 3D is the best After Effects plugin for motion design and VFX. It is produced and distributed by VideoCopilot.net.
Also I cannot keep myself from saying that Andrew Kramer is a VFX legend. He's the guy who founded VideoCopilot.net.
We are aware that Final Cut Pro plugins can improve colour grading or add some cool effects into the video as the editor itself doesn't contain many tools to do efficient work. Final Cut Pro X is the most incredible motion graphics or video editing platform by Apple Inc., based upon the usage of extra plugins. And, the best Final Cut Pro plugins are available for free, as discussed below.
Following are the best free Final Cut Pro plugins as below:
1. Alex 4D:
It is one of the ideal tool if you are more in overlay film production. The Switch Channel is one of their noticeable functions, and the tr
We are aware that Final Cut Pro plugins can improve colour grading or add some cool effects into the video as the editor itself doesn't contain many tools to do efficient work. Final Cut Pro X is the most incredible motion graphics or video editing platform by Apple Inc., based upon the usage of extra plugins. And, the best Final Cut Pro plugins are available for free, as discussed below.
Following are the best free Final Cut Pro plugins as below:
1. Alex 4D:
It is one of the ideal tool if you are more in overlay film production. The Switch Channel is one of their noticeable functions, and the transition effect simulates analog TV channels. Alex 4D as one of the top free Final Cut Pro plugins that will offer you some cool tools, including Feature Overlays, cropping tools, and so on.
2. Stupid Raisins:
It offers some premium plugins worth considering. The Stupid Raisins provides three sample packs, including the Template Pop, Sign Pop, and Panel Pop. Along with that it offers animated titles, Sign Pop offers animated icons, and Panel Pop offers custom Final Cut Pro X transitions.
3. Colour Finale 2.0:
If you are wondering to improve colour grading then this is one of the best tool for you to look out. It offers a whole new present of colour grading tools to make your video look genuinely cinematic.
4. Movie Pop:
Here you can easily choose some of your favourite movie clips and add them as title sequences with this plugin's help. The only problem is that this free plugin is only significant for adding title sequences and doesn't contain other tools.
5. mLut:
It is one of the best essential tool colour grading essentials and this awesome plugin for beginners to start with. Here with this easily download LUT files with this plugin and use them further in your video projects.
Thus above mentioned are best Final Cut Pro X plugins with their own specialities now it is time your time to pick the best one for you.
Plugins are tools created by the potential are software developers.some are smooth and some are marvelous with minimum effect save the time we use it like how we installed app in our mobile similar in work space.we are human beings we can do anything .so we need the deep knowledge of c++ language and after effects software development kit AESDK.this tool gives you necessary to develop a plugin specifically after effects.u get after effects plugins 1)AEScriptd+AEplugins. 2)Red giant 3)Vedeo copilot.
This question is a bit too broad as you do not specify what kind of animation task you’re looking to make easier. There are plugins and scripts devoted to text animation, easing/curves, color management, character animation, you name it.
Browse aescripts + aeplugins, but be sure to read reviews and ask around to see what other designers are using before dropping too much cash, as quality varies and there are lots of competitors in every category.
There are also presets and plugins that some developers offer directly on their own sites outside of the aescripts ecosystem, like RubberHose and DUIK,
This question is a bit too broad as you do not specify what kind of animation task you’re looking to make easier. There are plugins and scripts devoted to text animation, easing/curves, color management, character animation, you name it.
Browse aescripts + aeplugins, but be sure to read reviews and ask around to see what other designers are using before dropping too much cash, as quality varies and there are lots of competitors in every category.
There are also presets and plugins that some developers offer directly on their own sites outside of the aescripts ecosystem, like RubberHose and DUIK, two heavy hitters in the character arena.
Not a very specific question, I must say. What type of animation do you want to make with After Effects? Motion Graphics? Cartoons? 3D? What part of the animation process do you feel needs to be easier?
If you want to do 3D stuff in After Effects you can get Video Copilot’s Element 3D. There are particle plugins, like Trapcode, amazing lens flares from Video Copilot’s Optical F...
“Duik”
It's free. Try it once and you'll love that. Very simple to use and very effective. I usually don't do much of character animation in my day to day work. But whenever there's need I've always did it using “Duik”
Most of my animator friends highly recommend this.
Cheers bro!!!
Like others have said, it definitely depends on what you’re trying to do. Rigging plugins for animating characters have one market of plugins, but there are other great plugins for animating text, for general keyframe manipulation for animation, or for creating expressions that help with animation workflow.
IMO one of the most versatile is “Motion v3” by MtMograph, with over 35 tools for creating keyframes, managing your project, color adjustments, built-in plugins/fx, and expressions generators: Motion V2 (now v3!) After Effects Plugin | 35+ Tools in One Slick Bundle — Mt. Mograph — Powerful T
Like others have said, it definitely depends on what you’re trying to do. Rigging plugins for animating characters have one market of plugins, but there are other great plugins for animating text, for general keyframe manipulation for animation, or for creating expressions that help with animation workflow.
IMO one of the most versatile is “Motion v3” by MtMograph, with over 35 tools for creating keyframes, managing your project, color adjustments, built-in plugins/fx, and expressions generators: Motion V2 (now v3!) After Effects Plugin | 35+ Tools in One Slick Bundle — Mt. Mograph — Powerful Tools For Motion Graphics