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AEAfter Effects

Nebulosity

by irrealix·VFX

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

Why we like it

Nebulosity earns its place in the Toolfarm library for pairing raymarched volumes with layered noise and flexible emission options, all GPU-accelerated inside After Effects.

What is Nebulosity?

Nebulosity is a GPU-accelerated volumetric plugin for After Effects that creates nebulas, galaxies, clouds and smoke. It generates volumes with the help of Noise, Layers and Ramps, which can be colorized using different techniques. A raymarching algorithm visualizes density, where density is calculated from Noise combined with Layers as Masks and Ramps.

You set the base bounding shape of the volume with a box or sphere, and can customize it further using custom layers in Cut or Extrude mode. Ramps can mask the volume, and its edge can be smoothed with a Feather Ramp. Density is built from up to three layers of different noises, with Volume, Spiral and Inverted FBM scattering types, each fine-tuned and animated through an Evolution slider.

Emission source for the volume can be Color, Layer or Gradient. In Emission Source Gradient mode, the gradient can be distributed by Density, Radial from center, or by Noise, and in both Density and Radial modes noise can affect that distribution. Nebulosity supports a broad range of After Effects versions from CC 2014 through 2025.

Who is Nebulosity best for?

Nebulosity is best for artists creating nebulas, galaxies, clouds and smoke as volumetric effects in After Effects.

How much does Nebulosity cost?

Nebulosity is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • GPU-accelerated volumetric rendering that visualizes density with a raymarching algorithm
  • Base bounding shape set as a box or sphere, customizable via custom layers in Cut or Extrude mode
  • Density from up to three noise layers with Volume, Spiral and Inverted FBM scattering types, each tunable and animated via an Evolution slider
  • Emission source from Color, Layer or Gradient, with gradient distribution by Density, Radial from center or Noise
  • Volume masking with Ramps and edge smoothing through a Feather Ramp
  • Density calculated from Noise combined with Layers used as Masks and Ramps

Tags

#volumetric#nebula#galaxy#clouds#smoke#raymarching#GPU-accelerated#After Effects

Frequently asked questions

Does Nebulosity work with After Effects 2025?

Nebulosity supports Adobe After Effects 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020, along with CC 2019, CC 2018, CC 2017, CC 2015.3, CC 2015 and CC 2014. The same version range is listed under its requirements, so the plugin covers a long span of releases from CC 2014 through the 2025 version. If you run one of those versions, Nebulosity is listed as compatible.

What noise types does Nebulosity offer for scattering?

Nebulosity lets you set density with up to three layers of different noises. The scattering noise can be one of three types: Volume noise, Spiral noise and Inverted FBM noise. Each noise can be fine-tuned and animated using an Evolution slider, so you can adjust and evolve the look of the volume over time. Density itself is calculated from Noise combined with Layers used as Masks and Ramps.

How does Nebulosity emit color across a volume?

Nebulosity provides three emission sources for a volume: Color, Layer and Gradient. In Emission Source Gradient mode, the gradient can be distributed by Density, Radial from the center, or by Noise. In both the Density and Radial distribution modes, noise can affect how the gradient is distributed. This gives several ways to drive the color and emission of the raymarched volume.

Is Nebulosity free?

Nebulosity is listed as free in this catalog. Licensing terms can change, so check irrealix's page for the current arrangement before you rely on it. The plugin runs inside After Effects and, according to its changelog, has received licensing framework updates and stability fixes across its releases. A demo video is also available if you want to see it before installing.

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