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AEAfter Effects

Automation Toolkit Pro

by Alon Shemer·Workflow

Illustrative cover generated by AnyPlugins — no product screenshot available.

Why we like it

Automation Toolkit Pro earns its place in the aescripts library for its open-ended approach: instead of a fixed set of tools, it hands you the building blocks to assemble your own buttons. Version 2.0.4 broadened that with CSV data support and render-setting access.

What is Automation Toolkit Pro?

Automation Toolkit Pro is an After Effects script by Alon Shemer built around a single idea: you create your own custom buttons, each with its own functionality. The developer describes it as a "Whatever You Want!" button maker. Basic automations are simple to set up, and the user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate.

The property and action set is broad. You can read and act on layer attributes like position, rotation, anchor point, in and out points, blending mode, track matte and motion blur, and work across compositions, keyframes, render queue items, output modules, project settings, files and folders. Actions range from duplicating and precomposing to adding solids, nulls, cameras, lights and shapes, running JavaScript code and starting renders.

Version 2.0.4, from March 2023, added After Effects 2023 Mac support, CSV data handling from Google Sheets and Excel, dropdown search and 42 new properties. It supports After Effects 2023 back through CC 2018. A few limits apply: shapes and masks aren't supported, and text layers cover only source text, font, font size and justification.

Who is Automation Toolkit Pro best for?

Automation Toolkit Pro is best for after Effects users who want to build custom buttons that run their own actions across layers, comps, keyframes, renders and files.

How much does Automation Toolkit Pro cost?

Automation Toolkit Pro is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Create your own custom buttons, each with its own custom functionality
  • Properties and actions covering layers, compositions, keyframes, render queue items, projects, files and folders
  • Works with CSV data from Google Sheets or Excel (added in 2.0.4)
  • Search function and tooltips in dropdowns
  • Support for all render settings and output module settings
  • Loop option over elements in a collection

Tags

#After Effects#automation#custom buttons#scripting#workflow#aescripts#JavaScript

Frequently asked questions

Which After Effects versions does Automation Toolkit Pro support?

Automation Toolkit Pro is compatible with After Effects 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, CC 2019 and CC 2018, covering several years of releases. Version 2.0.4, released in March 2023, added support for After Effects 2023 on Mac, along with dropdown tooltips on Mac. If you run one of these listed versions, the script is built to work with your install. For anything newer than 2023, check the developer's page to confirm current compatibility before relying on it in production.

Does Automation Toolkit Pro work with shapes and masks?

Automation Toolkit Pro does not support shapes or masks, and they can't be accessed by the script. Text layers are only partially supported: source text, font, font size and justification are available, but text animators are not. On keyframes, some properties such as interpolation and the hold toggle can't be changed, though a keyframe's value can be. Keep these limits in mind when planning automations that touch shape layers, masks or text animators, and lean on the supported layer, comp and property actions instead.

Can Automation Toolkit Pro use spreadsheet data?

Automation Toolkit Pro added support for working with CSV data from Google Sheets or Excel in version 2.0.4. That release also introduced actions to separate CSV data into rows and a row into cells, plus a loop option over elements in a collection, which the developer notes makes working with collections easier. If your workflow involves pulling values from a spreadsheet into After Effects, these features are available in the current version. See the developer's page for setup details.

Is Automation Toolkit Pro free?

Automation Toolkit Pro is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, so for the current status, download options and any conditions, check the developer's page on aescripts. The version catalogued here is 2.0.4 from March 2023, which included CSV data support, dropdown search, render and output module settings, and 42 new properties among other additions and bug fixes.

Alternatives to Automation Toolkit Pro

Also in Workflow for After Effects.

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