The most common question I get from up and coming AE users is, “Where can I get plugins?” This is an easy question, but also a complex question.
Scripting example courtesy of LesterBanks. I personally use scripts more than plugins, but both are useful in their own way. As you get more comfortable with After Effects you’ll find that utilizing scripts can help you just as much as plugins. So if you find yourself doing something over and over again there's probably a script for that. In short, if you have to click it in After Effects there's probably a script that can help you automate a process. However instead of customizing the software like a plugin does, a script automates a process or execution within the software. Scripts are just like plugins in the sense that they are created with a programming language. So let’s take a quick second to understand what a script really is. Just like plugins, scripts are essential tools for you as you expand your After Effects abilities.
Now that we know what a plugin actually is, and what it does, we need to understand how it differs from a script. What's the Difference Between a Plugin and a Script in After Effects? Not quite as sexy as an After Effects composition. Plugins can do a lot of things, such as customize certain tasks, which means they can make complex functions simple to execute. So, when we add plugins we’re giving After Effects additional components that help us customize it, which in-turn enhances our workflow. Plugins are almost universally developed by third-party developers, and not the developers of the original software itself (Adobe).įor us, our original software is After Effects. Let’s dive right in! What is an After Effects Plugin?Ī plugin is a component that adds a specific function or feature to an already existing software. If you just start using a plugin without understanding what task it is automating for you, then you're not truly expanding your MoGraph knowledge. However, I do want to stress that while plugins are essential in your day to day workflow, you really need to make sure you understand what the plugin is doing. A few seconds here or there really add up. You’ll find that as you work with After Effects plugins will save you a lot of time and energy, thus making your job a little easier. Some do simple things such as smooth out keyframes, while others allow me to generate amazing particle effects with minimum effort. For my day to day work in After Effects I use a wide number of plugins. While you can do amazing things with the base level software, to really unlock its full potential developers have created amazing tools called plugins. A Guide to Getting Started with After Effects Plugins.Īs you’ve probably found out by now, After Effects is an incredibly powerful piece of software.
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