by Mike Overbeck·Motion Graphics
Images © Mike Overbeck. Used for product review; image policy.
Joysticks n Sliders earns its place in the aescripts library as a long-maintained pose-based rigging system. Its changelog runs back to 2019, and version 1.7.12 keeps it current with After Effects 2026.
Joysticks n Sliders is a pose-based rigging system for After Effects, described as an industry standard with limitless applications. Created by Mike Overbeck, it controls poses through joystick and slider controls set up in your composition.
The system works at a granular level. It supports binding and unbinding of individual properties rather than only whole layers, and it can rig shapes and path shapes, with error checks for shapes that have inconsistent vertex counts. Joysticks with separated dimensions are supported as well, including moving a parent comp joystick to a child.
Development has run since at least 2019, and version 1.7.12 keeps the tool current with After Effects 2026 while also running on releases back through the CC line. Recent updates have focused largely on the licensing framework and activation fixes. A demo video is available for a closer look.
Joysticks n Sliders is best for after Effects artists building pose-based rigs and driving animation through joystick and slider controls.
Joysticks n Sliders is completely free to download and use.
Joysticks n Sliders lists compatibility with After Effects 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020, along with CC 2019, CC 2018, CC 2017, CC 2015.3, CC 2015, CC 2014 and CC. That range covers current versions of After Effects as well as older CC installations, so the pose-based rigging system should run whether you're on the 2026 release or an earlier build. Check Mike Overbeck's page on aescripts to confirm the current supported versions before installing.
Joysticks n Sliders version 1.7.12, released November 9, 2025, includes a fix for online activation connection issues and updates the license framework to v4.4.1. Earlier releases addressed items such as moving a parent comp joystick to a child with separated dimensions and several license activation errors. If you ran into activation trouble on an older build, 1.7.12 is the version carrying the latest licensing fixes.
Joysticks n Sliders added support for binding and unbinding individual properties in an earlier release, so you can rig specific properties rather than only whole layers. The changelog also references rigging of shapes and path shapes, including error checks for shapes with inconsistent vertex counts. For the full picture of what can be rigged, the developer's page and the available demo video are the best references.
Joysticks n Sliders is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, so for the current arrangement — including any activation requirements — check Mike Overbeck's page on aescripts before relying on that status. The changelog shows the tool uses a license framework with both online and local activation options, so you may need to activate it after installing regardless of cost.
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