Skip to content
AEAfter Effects

Boomer Labs MAX2AE

by Boomer Labs·Workflow

Images © Boomer Labs. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

MAX2AE earns its place in the Toolfarm library as a dedicated bridge between 3ds MAX and After Effects, going beyond camera matching to translate object and light animation and to generate track mattes through renderable helper planes.

What is Boomer Labs MAX2AE?

MAX2AE is a full-featured plugin that connects 3ds MAX with After Effects, integrating After Effects elements into MAX renders while matching the aspects and parameters of MAX cameras, lights, and objects. Every property of a MAX camera, object, and light can be translated into After Effects.

Beyond camera matching, MAX2AE offers object-to-layer animation matching and MAX light-to-AE light animation matching, and it handles all resolutions, pixel aspects, and frame rates. It can also create helper planes in MAX that represent an AE layer or comp. These helpers can be animated like any other MAX object and used to output keyframe data to AE layers, and they can be rendered from MAX to generate track mattes for object or AE layer occlusion.

Recent updates add 3ds MAX 2024 support. MAX2AE works with 3ds MAX 2015 to 2024 and After Effects 6.5, 7.0, CS2 through CS6, and CC.

Who is Boomer Labs MAX2AE best for?

Boomer Labs MAX2AE is best for 3ds MAX artists who need to match animated cameras, objects, and lights into After Effects.

How much does Boomer Labs MAX2AE cost?

Boomer Labs MAX2AE is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Translates every property of MAX cameras, objects, and lights into After Effects
  • Object-to-layer animation matching and MAX light-to-AE light animation matching
  • Handles all resolutions, pixel aspects, and frame rates
  • Helper planes in MAX represent an AE layer or comp, animatable like any other MAX object and able to output keyframe data to AE layers
  • Helper planes can be rendered from MAX to generate track mattes for object or AE layer occlusion
  • Export particles as layers, nulls, or lights
  • SpaceWarp support and automatic scene scaling

Tags

#3ds Max#After Effects#camera matching#compositing#animation matching#MAX2AE#Boomer Labs#VFX pipeline

Frequently asked questions

Which 3ds MAX versions does MAX2AE support?

MAX2AE supports 3ds MAX 2015 to 2024. Recent updates added 3ds MAX 2024 support, with earlier releases adding 2022, 2020, and 2018 support along the way. It works as a plugin for 3ds MAX and connects those scenes to After Effects, translating camera, object, and light data between the two applications. For the exact version you're running, check the developer's page for current compatibility details before installing.

Which After Effects versions work with MAX2AE?

MAX2AE works with After Effects 6.5, 7.0, CS2, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, and CC. It integrates After Effects elements into 3ds MAX renders and translates MAX cameras, objects, and lights into AE, handling resolutions, pixel aspects, and frame rates. Beyond camera matching, it offers object-to-layer animation matching and MAX light-to-AE light animation matching. Because it spans a wide range of AE releases, confirm your specific version against the developer's page before installing.

What are helper planes in MAX2AE?

MAX2AE lets you create helper planes in 3ds MAX that represent an After Effects layer or comp. These helpers provide a way to envision the AE layer relative to your MAX scene, and they can be animated like any other MAX object. Their keyframe data can then be output to AE layers for a match, and the helpers can be rendered from MAX to generate track mattes for object or AE layer occlusion.

Is MAX2AE free?

MAX2AE is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change, so check the developer's page for the current details before you rely on it. Functionally, MAX2AE is a plugin that bridges 3ds MAX and After Effects, translating cameras, objects, and lights and matching their animation across resolutions, pixel aspects, and frame rates. It also supports exporting particles as layers, nulls, or lights.

Alternatives to Boomer Labs MAX2AE

Also in Workflow for After Effects.

Similar plugins