by Satori·VFX
Images © Satori. Used for product review; image policy.
Pixel Stretch sits at rank 53 in the aescripts library. It earns attention for driving subpixel stretching from either a luminance curve or a separate input layer, backed by per-channel filtering options.
Pixel Stretch applies organic nonlinear pixel stretching with subpixel accuracy inside After Effects and Premiere Pro. The stretch can be driven by a luminance curve or by a separate input layer that acts as a stretch mask, and it works in orthogonal directions, with the Direction control setting which edge the stretching moves toward.
The effect filters through several channel modes: Luma, RGBA, individual Red, Green, Blue or Alpha channels, and Luma (no Alpha) or RGB (no Alpha) variants that leave the alpha channel intact. Pixel Size and Pixel Stretch set the base and maximum pixel size, while Curve Phase and Stretch Start Offset shape how the stretch maps across the image. Stretching can be Constant, ramp up or ramp down, and Image Shift Phase offsets the image along the stretch direction. Shading overlays adjustable patterns with controls for interval size, phase, channel and opacity.
Version 1.6.0 added seven new channel options and a Pixel Stretch Intensity parameter. It runs on After Effects and Premiere Pro from CS6 through 2026.
Pixel Stretch is best for transitions and stylized pixel-stretching effects in After Effects and Premiere Pro.
Pixel Stretch is completely free to download and use.
Pixel Stretch supports After Effects across a wide range, including 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, CC 2019 through CC 2014, CC, CS6 and the CC 2015 releases. That span covers both current and legacy installs. Version 1.5.0 added multi-frame rendering support and a universal macOS binary with Apple silicon support, while 1.5.1 fixed native Apple Silicon support for the After Effects beta. Check the developer's page to confirm the exact build for your version.
Pixel Stretch works in Premiere Pro alongside After Effects, covering 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, CC 2019 through CC 2014, CC, CS6 and the CC 2015 releases. The same stretching controls, including direction, channel filtering, pixel size and shading, are available in the host, and a separate layer can serve as an Intensity Source, or stretch mask, to drive the effect. For the current release and any host-specific notes, see the developer's page.
Pixel Stretch is listed as free in this catalog. For current licensing terms and to download the plugin along with its manual, visit the developer's page. The 1.6.0 update, released in July 2023, refreshed the Aescripts framework to v4.0.7 for improved stability of license checks, and earlier fixes addressed a watermark bug affecting unregistered versions on compositions over 4096 pixels tall. The manual downloaded with the plugin explains the controls in more detail.
Pixel Stretch works for transitions when you adjust the Stretch Start Offset to the desired row or column, increase Pixel Stretch and Pixel Size values to maximum, and set Edge Mode to Transparent with Transparency Feather on. Using Shading Opacity together with the layer's opacity works for transitions in the same way. These controls let the stretch build across the frame and fade at its edges.
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