by irrealix·Motion Graphics
Images © irrealix. Used for product review; image policy.
loopFlow stands out in the toolfarm library for building looped animation from a single still using two masks and a generated mesh, with support stretching from After Effects CC 2014 to 2025.
loopFlow is an After Effects plugin that turns still images into looped videos, the effect known as cinemagraphs or plotagraphs. You place two masks to set the animated area and the direction of flow, and the plugin slides an area of the image along a mesh generated between those two masks. The animation loops and can be looped easily.
It suits continuous fluid motion such as flowing water, billowing smoke, flying particles and fire, and it can also animate hair, fur, fabrics or patterns. The blend between layers can be linear, soft noised or wiped, and the transition can be controlled with curves individually for both layers. Optional distortion is available to make the animation look more natural, and a Speed Ramp lets you dynamically change the flow speed.
loopFlow runs across a wide range of releases, from After Effects CC 2014 through 2025, and holds rank 63 in the toolfarm library. Recent updates added a Flow Map feature and improved compatibility with Intel HD GPUs.
loopFlow is best for artists turning still photos into looping cinemagraphs, and adding continuous motion to elements like water, smoke, fire, particles, hair, fur, fabrics or patterns.
loopFlow is completely free to download and use.
loopFlow supports a broad range of After Effects releases: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, CC 2019, CC 2018, CC 2017, CC 2015.3, CC 2015 and CC 2014. That span covers older Creative Cloud installs alongside the most recent versions, so most active After Effects setups should be able to run it. For the current requirements, check the developer's page at irrealix before installing.
loopFlow is built for continuous fluid motion, so flowing water and billowing smoke are among its intended uses, along with flying particles and fire. It can also animate hair, fur, fabrics or patterns. The motion comes from sliding an area of the image along a mesh generated between two masks that define the flow area and its direction. The animation loops, with options to start or stop the cycle and to move forward or backward.
loopFlow animates a still image by sliding an area of that image along a mesh generated between two masks. You place the two masks to determine the flow area and the direction of movement. The blend between layers can be linear, soft noised or wiped, and the transition can be shaped with curves individually for both layers. Optional distortion is available to make the motion look more natural, and a Speed Ramp lets you change the flow speed dynamically.
loopFlow is listed here as free. Because licensing terms can change over time and this catalog can lag behind the developer, confirm the current terms on irrealix's own page before you rely on that status. The plugin works with After Effects across versions from CC 2014 through 2025, so a free-listed download should suit an existing After Effects install. For the most accurate and up-to-date licensing details, always check the developer's official page directly.
loopFlow version 1.3.1, from October 2023, improved compatibility with Intel HD GPUs. The earlier 1.3 release added a Flow Map feature, fixed a glow edges effect on semitransparent images and improved the stability of license checks. Version 1.2.2 fixed a Multi Frame Render crash on macOS, and 1.2.1 updated the licensing framework. For the latest changes, check the developer's page.
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