by grape design·Simulation
Images © grape design. Used for product review; image policy.
Pixion earns its place in the aescripts library as a layer-driven particle system that reads pixel data to control particle behavior, with GPU acceleration and depth-of-field and motion blur support.
Pixion is a GPU-accelerated particle system for After Effects built around emitter layers. It generates particles from any source layer and reads pixel data such as luminance and color to control how those particles behave. A separate modifier layer can be used to drive particle behavior, keeping generation and control on distinct layers.
The system includes built-in turbulence for natural, organic motion, along with gravity and wind forces for controlling particle movement. Particles support custom shapes, including layers, and offer auto orientation as well as an option to face the camera. Pixion is fully compatible with depth of field and motion blur.
Additional controls cover simulation speed, simulation pre-run, and a blend mode for overlapping particles. A demo video is available, with chapters covering core features, the modifier, particle settings, and advanced features. Pixion is compatible with After Effects 2026, 2025, 2024, and 2023.
Pixion is best for after Effects artists building particle effects driven by source-layer pixel data.
Pixion is completely free to download and use.
Pixion is compatible with After Effects 2026, 2025, 2024, and 2023. This is the initial 1.0 release, dated April 21, 2026. If you run a version within that range, Pixion should be a fit; for versions outside it, check the developer's page for the latest compatibility details before installing, since the listed support covers only the four releases noted here.
Pixion generates particles from any source layer, using pixel data such as luminance and color from the emitter. A separate modifier layer can be used to drive particle behavior. It also includes built-in turbulence for natural, organic motion, along with gravity and wind forces to control particle movement, plus adjustable simulation speed and simulation pre-run for tuning the result.
Pixion is fully compatible with depth of field and motion blur in After Effects. Particles support custom shapes, including layers, and offer an auto orientation option as well as an option to face the camera. A blend mode is available for overlapping particles. Together, these options give control over how particles appear and orient within a scene, so the generated particles can be integrated with camera-based depth and blur effects in a composition.
Pixion is listed as free in this catalog. For current licensing terms and any usage conditions, check the developer's page from grape design, since terms can change over time. The plugin is at version 1.0, its initial release dated April 21, 2026, and runs GPU-accelerated inside the supported After Effects versions.
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