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AEAfter Effects

Matte Tool 2

by MotionCodes·Workflow

Images © MotionCodes. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Matte Tool 2 earns its place in the aescripts library for bundling 20 matte and layer tools into a single set, with a compatibility range that spans After Effects from CC 2015 up to the 2026 version.

What is Matte Tool 2?

Matte Tool 2 is a set of 20 tools built to make working with mattes and layers easier in After Effects. Developed by MotionCodes, it brings these matte and layer utilities together and features a responsive interface.

Version 2.1 added four tools to the set: Merge shape layers, Explode shape layer, Explode text layer, and Explode Ai layer. That release also introduced the new responsive UI, universalization, and a round of bug fixes and minor tweaks. The latest 2.2.0 update, from April 2025, resolved a license activation issue and fixed a repeated Welcome message.

Compatibility runs across a wide range of After Effects releases, from CC 2015 through the 2026 version, covering CC 2015.3, 2017, 2018, and 2019 along with 2020 through 2025. A demo video is available. The plugin is listed here as free, and the developer's page carries the full changelog and current licensing details.

Who is Matte Tool 2 best for?

Matte Tool 2 is best for after Effects artists who regularly work with mattes and layers.

How much does Matte Tool 2 cost?

Matte Tool 2 is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • A set of 20 tools for working with mattes and layers in After Effects
  • Merge shape layers tool
  • Explode shape layer, text layer, and Ai layer tools
  • Responsive user interface
  • Compatible with After Effects from CC 2015 through the 2026 version

Tags

#After Effects#mattes#layers#shape layers#text layers#aescripts#workflow#MotionCodes

Frequently asked questions

Does Matte Tool 2 work with After Effects 2026?

Matte Tool 2 supports a wide range of After Effects releases, listed as compatible with versions 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020, along with CC 2019, CC 2018, CC 2017, CC 2015.3, and CC 2015. That span covers both recent releases and older CC versions, so it should run on most After Effects installations you're likely to have. If you're on a newer or in-between release, check the developer's page to confirm the current compatibility details before installing.

What tools were added in Matte Tool 2 version 2.1?

Matte Tool 2 version 2.1 introduced four new tools: Merge shape layers, Explode shape layer, Explode text layer, and Explode Ai layer. That release also brought a new, responsive UI, universalization, and a batch of bug fixes and minor tweaks. These additions expanded the set of tools for working with mattes and layers in After Effects. For the full history of changes across releases, the developer's page lists the complete changelog.

What was fixed in Matte Tool 2 version 2.2.0?

Matte Tool 2 version 2.2.0 was released on April 9, 2025. It resolved a license activation issue and fixed a problem where the Welcome message repeated. If you experienced activation errors or a recurring Welcome prompt on an earlier version, updating to 2.2.0 addresses both of those issues. For any later updates and the complete list of changes across every release, the developer's page keeps the full changelog available.

Is Matte Tool 2 free?

Matte Tool 2 is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change over time, so for the current details, including how activation works, check the developer's page directly. Note that version 2.2.0 specifically resolved a license activation issue, so if you're setting it up, make sure you're on the latest release to avoid that problem. The developer's page is the best place to confirm current licensing before you download.

Alternatives to Matte Tool 2

Also in Workflow for After Effects.

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