by BGRA Entertainment·Motion Graphics
Images © BGRA Entertainment. Used for product review; image policy.
Sits in the toolfarm library with compatibility spanning After Effects from CS6 to 2024, and native M1 support added in a 2022 framework update.
LongShadow is a full-featured, GPU-accelerated shadow plug-in for After Effects, developed by BGRA Entertainment. It creates shadows with control over every shadow aspect and includes shadow anti-aliasing.
Beyond that, LongShadow offers shadow texturing that controls colors and transparency with an external layer in 1D or 2D texture modes. A Brute-Force Directional shadow mode preserves the original layer's semi-transparency and anti-aliasing, and a Soft Shadow feature plus a post-smoothing algorithm shape the result. The package also includes a dedicated SoftShadow plugin with simplified controls for a simple solid-color shadow with a soft shadow look.
LongShadow runs across a wide range of After Effects versions, from CS6 through 2024, and a 2022 update added native M1 support. Free After Effects projects are available to download, and a demo video is also available.
LongShadow is best for after Effects artists creating and customizing shadows across projects.
LongShadow is completely free to download and use.
LongShadow lists compatibility with a broad span of After Effects releases, covering CS6, CC, CC 2014, CC 2015, CC 2015.3, CC 2017, CC 2018, CC 2019, and the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 versions. That range makes it usable on both older installs still running CS6 and current systems on the 2024 release. If you are unsure about a specific build, the developer's page lists the supported versions and requirements in full.
LongShadow gained native M1 support in a framework update released in 2022, allowing it to run natively on Apple silicon Macs. The plug-in is also GPU-accelerated, which draws on the graphics hardware for processing. If you are running Apple silicon, this native support means you can use LongShadow without relying on translation layers. For confirmation on your exact chip and macOS version, check the developer's page, which documents the plug-in's requirements and update history.
LongShadow is listed as free in this catalog, so you can add it to your After Effects setup without a purchase here. The developer, BGRA Entertainment, also offers free After Effects projects to download alongside the plug-in. Licensing terms can change over time, so for the most current details on pricing and usage rights, refer to the developer's page before you rely on it for a project.
LongShadow ships with a dedicated SoftShadow plugin built for users who want a simple solid-color shadow. It offers simplified controls and a soft shadow look, making it a lighter option than the full LongShadow feature set. Within LongShadow itself, you also get a separate Soft Shadow feature and a post-smoothing algorithm that affect how shadows are rendered. Together, these give you both a streamlined tool and more detailed shadow controls in the same package.
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