by vimager·Color Grading
Images © vimager. Used for product review; image policy.
ContrastUP earns its place in the aescripts library as a focused contrast and tonal-range tool that runs in both After Effects and Premiere Pro, with Multi-Frame Rendering and Apple Silicon support in place.
ContrastUP is a contrast plugin for After Effects and Premiere Pro, developed by vimager. It enhances image contrast and provides separate control over the shadows, midtones and highlights of a shot.
The plugin runs across After Effects and Premiere Pro versions from 2020 through 2025. It supports Multi-Frame Rendering and includes CPU processing as a fallback when GPU cards are not detected correctly. Apple Silicon is supported, and a histogram adjustment slider handles the tonal changes. A demo video is available.
Version 2.3.1 dates to November 2022, with the latest update addressing a loading issue on Apple Silicon. ContrastUP sits in the aescripts library as a focused grading utility rather than a broad color suite, keeping its scope on contrast and the three-way tonal range of shadows, midtones and highlights.
ContrastUP is best for adjusting contrast and the shadow, midtone and highlight ranges of footage in After Effects and Premiere Pro.
ContrastUP is completely free to download and use.
ContrastUP supports After Effects and Premiere Pro versions 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, covering both host applications across that whole range. Version 2.3.1 is dated November 2022, and newer host releases such as 2024 and 2025 still fall within its listed compatibility. That gives you a consistent contrast and tonal-adjustment tool whether you work primarily in After Effects or in Premiere Pro. For the most current compatibility details, check vimager's page on aescripts before installing.
ContrastUP added support for Apple M1 Silicon in an earlier release, and version 2.3.1 specifically fixed a loading issue on Apple Silicon. If you run an M-series Mac, that 2.3.1 build is the one to use. The plugin also supports Multi-Frame Rendering, introduced alongside the initial Apple Silicon support. For any further hardware or operating system requirements, vimager's page on aescripts is the place to confirm the details.
ContrastUP includes CPU processing as a fallback for situations where GPU cards are not detected correctly, so it does not strictly depend on a recognised GPU. This CPU path was added specifically to handle cases where hardware detection fails. Beyond that, the plugin supports Multi-Frame Rendering for its processing. For precise performance expectations and hardware behaviour, refer to vimager's page on aescripts rather than assuming a fixed requirement.
ContrastUP is listed here as free. Because licensing terms can change over time, check vimager's page on aescripts for the current pricing and any license conditions before you rely on it. The plugin's changelog also references past updates to its licence libraries and fixes to licensing issues, so its licensing has been maintained across releases. Confirming the latest terms directly with the developer is the safest approach.
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