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AEAfter Effects

Hugly

by YB Motion·Workflow

Images © YB Motion. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Hugly earns its place in the aescripts library by handling both sides of expression readability, obfuscation and cleanup, in one tool. Its reach across After Effects CC 2019 to 2026 keeps it usable whether you're on an older or a current build.

What is Hugly?

Hugly is an expression utility from YB Motion for After Effects. It works in two directions: it can uglify your expressions into unreadable code, or turn them into a clean, readable form. The obfuscation side suits protecting your work, while the clean side suits sharing it.

Compatibility spans a wide range of After Effects releases, from CC 2019 through 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, so it fits both older and current installs. Version 1.0 marks the initial release, published on October 29, 2025.

A demo video is available for a closer look. For current licensing details, check the developer's page. Whether you want to keep expression code private or hand it off, Hugly switches it between an obfuscated and a clean, readable state.

Who is Hugly best for?

Hugly is best for after Effects users who want to obfuscate expression code to protect their work, or clean it up before sharing it.

How much does Hugly cost?

Hugly is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Uglifies expressions into unreadable code
  • Converts expressions into a clean, readable form
  • Two-way use: obfuscation for protecting work, cleanup for sharing it
  • Runs across After Effects CC 2019 through 2026
  • Version 1.0 initial release from YB Motion
  • Demo video available

Tags

#After Effects#expressions#obfuscation#code cleanup#YB Motion#aescripts#workflow

Frequently asked questions

Which After Effects versions does Hugly support?

Hugly supports a broad span of After Effects versions, covering CC 2019 along with the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 releases. That range means it works on both older installs and the most current builds, so you can run it without upgrading or downgrading your host application. If you're unsure which release you're on, check your After Effects version before installing to confirm it falls within this list.

Is Hugly free to download?

Hugly is listed as free in this catalog. For the current licensing terms and any conditions attached to them, check the developer's page on aescripts before you download. The plugin comes from YB Motion, and its first version was published on October 29, 2025, so licensing details reflect that initial release. Confirming directly with the developer keeps you aligned with the most up-to-date terms.

What does Hugly's 1.0 release include?

Hugly reached version 1.0 on October 29, 2025, which is its initial release. That means the current build is the first public version from YB Motion, with no earlier releases behind it. If you're tracking updates, this is the baseline the plugin starts from, and a demo video is available if you'd like a closer look at the tool before installing it.

Can Hugly both protect and clean up expressions?

Hugly works in two directions with your expression code. It can uglify expressions into unreadable code, which suits protecting your work, and it can turn them into a clean, readable form, which suits sharing. You choose the direction depending on whether you want the code kept private or handed off to someone else. This makes it a single tool for switching expressions between a protected and a readable state.

Alternatives to Hugly

Also in Workflow for After Effects.

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