by Zack Lovatt·Motion Graphics
Images © Zack Lovatt. Used for product review; image policy.
Flex stands out in the aescripts library for its focused take on layer layouts, pairing Grid and Line modes with gutter-based spacing. It also carries broad After Effects version support, reaching from CC 2015.3 up to 2026.
Flex is an After Effects tool from Zack Lovatt for creating dynamically realigning layouts for your layers. It's listed in the aescripts library and supports a wide range of After Effects versions.
It includes a Grid Mode for arranging layers into grid rigs and a Line Mode with Row and Column options for laying layers out in lines. Gutter controls set the spacing between layers, measured in pixels.
Flex is at version 1.1.3, last updated in June 2022, and it's compatible with After Effects releases from CC 2015.3 through 2026. Recent fixes addressed an expression error on layers without sources and Grid Mode expression errors with the legacy engine. In the current build, Matte Mode and the Stroke Options for inner and outer shape layer strokes are disabled. A demo video is available.
Flex is best for after Effects artists building dynamically realigning layouts from their layers using grid and line arrangements.
Flex is completely free to download and use.
Flex is compatible with After Effects releases spanning CC 2015.3, CC 2017, CC 2018, CC 2019, and the yearly versions from 2020 through 2026. That range covers a decade of After Effects builds, so most current and legacy installs are included. A past update raised the minimum supported version to CC 2015.3 (13.8), so anything older than that falls outside the range. For the latest compatibility details, check the developer's page before installing.
Flex is listed as free in this catalog. No specific pricing figures are provided here, so for current licensing terms and any conditions attached to the download, head to the developer's page on aescripts. Licensing and libraries were updated in a past release, so it's worth confirming the current terms directly at the source before you rely on it in a project.
Flex version 1.1.3, released in June 2022, fixed an expression error that occurred on layers without sources and resolved Grid Mode expression errors when using the legacy engine. Earlier updates in the same series addressed Grid Matte Roundness breaking in non-English installs and unreliable results when working with layers that have non-square pixel aspect ratio sources. For the full change history, see the developer's page.
Flex includes a Grid Mode for arranging layers into grid rigs and a Line Mode that offers Row and Column buttons for laying layers out in lines. Gutter controls set the spacing between layers, measured in pixels. Note that in the current build, Matte Mode and the Stroke Options for setting inner and outer shape layer strokes are disabled. The developer's page covers how each mode is set up.
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