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AEAfter Effects

ChronoKeys

by Freshmograph·Workflow

Images © Freshmograph. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

ChronoKeys earns a spot in the aescripts library by focusing on a narrow but fiddly part of After Effects work: keeping keyframes in sync as layer and precomp durations change. The 1.02 update, from February 2026, tightens easing preservation and fixes a CTI Nudge edge case.

What is ChronoKeys?

ChronoKeys is a script from Freshmograph for After Effects, built around syncing keyframes to layers so the duration of layers and precomps can be adjusted while keyframe precision stays intact. It also lets you nudge neighboring layers and keyframes to fine-tune timing across an animation.

The toolset covers several sync methods and sync modes, along with Ripple Nudge and CTI Nudge for shifting keyframes. It can colorize keyframes and apply Quick Color, retime precomps, auto extend precomps, and duplicate precomps. For arranging keyframes, it offers Align Keyframes with align modes, Stagger Keyframes, Equal Spacing, and keyframe retiming in both frames and percent, plus a settings panel.

ChronoKeys runs on After Effects 2026, 2025, and 2024. Version 1.02 improved preservation of keyframe easing, fixed a CTI Nudge bug when keyframes cross over the CTI, and changed how nudge mode off handles precomp retiming. A demo video is available.

Who is ChronoKeys best for?

ChronoKeys is best for after Effects animators managing keyframe timing and precomp durations across their compositions.

How much does ChronoKeys cost?

ChronoKeys is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Syncs keyframes to layers to adjust the duration of layers and precomps while preserving keyframe precision
  • Multiple sync methods and sync modes
  • Ripple Nudge and CTI Nudge for shifting keyframes and neighboring layers
  • Colorize keyframes with a Quick Color option
  • Retime, auto extend, and duplicate precomps
  • Align Keyframes with align modes, Stagger Keyframes, and Equal Spacing
  • Keyframe retiming in frames or percent, with a settings panel

Tags

#After Effects#keyframes#animation timing#precomps#retiming#workflow#Freshmograph#aescripts

Frequently asked questions

Does ChronoKeys work with After Effects 2024?

ChronoKeys is compatible with After Effects 2026, 2025, and 2024, so recent versions of the application are covered. If you're on one of those releases, the script's features—syncing keyframes to layers, nudging keyframes, retiming precomps and the rest—are available to you. For older After Effects versions, the developer's page is the place to confirm what's supported before installing, since only these three releases are listed here.

Is ChronoKeys free to use?

ChronoKeys is listed as free in this catalog. For current licensing details and any terms tied to downloading or using the script, the developer's page on aescripts is the place to check, as those can change over time. Beyond cost, that page is also where you can confirm compatibility and grab the latest version, which as of the most recent update is 1.02 from February 2026.

What changed in ChronoKeys version 1.02?

ChronoKeys version 1.02, released February 23, 2026, improved preservation of keyframe easing and fixed a CTI Nudge bug that occurred when keyframes crossed over the CTI. It also changed nudge mode so that turning it off now retimes precomps if that option is enabled in preferences, and time-remapped precomps no longer have their contents retimed. The earlier 1.0.1 update added an Alt modifier in frames mode that inverts the frames value when retiming keyframes.

How does ChronoKeys handle time-remapped precomps?

ChronoKeys, as of version 1.02, no longer retimes the contents of time-remapped precomps—this was one of the fixes in the February 2026 update. The script otherwise handles retiming precomps and auto extending precomps as part of its precomp-focused tools, alongside duplicating precomps. If you work heavily with time remapping, the developer's page and the demo video can help clarify how these behaviors apply to your setup.

Alternatives to ChronoKeys

Also in Workflow for After Effects.

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