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AEAfter Effects

Volna

by irrealix·Motion Graphics

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

Why we like it

Volna earns its place in the toolfarm library by wrapping an entire stroke toolkit around After Effects masks: parametric arrows, unlimited-point gradients, audio-driven noise and a points mode, all driven from one or two masks.

What is Volna?

Volna is an advanced stroke plugin for After Effects that uses masks to draw strokes. It can take one or two masks and blend them into a new shape carrying multiple strokes. Each stroke can be filled with a gradient, distorted with Perlin noise or a sine function, and set to render as lines or points. Thickness along the path is controlled with a ramp, and stroke ends can carry parametric arrows.

Gradient control offers unlimited color points and three interpolation modes, and a cross-lines gradient can be added or multiplied over the stroke gradient, then offset and scaled. Points mode adds random rotation and offset, rotation along the path, and rotation noise with three noise modes plus a rotation ramp. Noise distortion exposes amplitude, frequency, offsets and evolution, with a noise ramp to define the affected segment. Audio can drive noise amplitude, frequency, offsets or evolution.

Alpha noise, ramp and sine functions produce artistic stroke styles such as rough strokes, soft chalk, or dashes. A range of randomize controls helps vary the result.

Who is Volna best for?

Volna is best for motion designers building stylized, stroke-based graphics from one or two After Effects masks.

How much does Volna cost?

Volna is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Parametric arrows at the line ends that can be fine-tuned and animated individually
  • Thickness ramp control to set and animate stroke thickness along the path
  • Gradient control with unlimited color points and three interpolation modes, plus a cross-lines gradient that can be added or multiplied over the stroke gradient, then offset and scaled
  • Points mode with random rotation and offset, rotation along path, and rotation noise using three noise modes and a rotation ramp
  • Noise distortion with amplitude, frequency, offsets and evolution, a noise ramp to define the affected segment, and audio-driven noise
  • Artistic stroke styles via alpha noise, ramp and sine functions for rough strokes, soft chalk, or dashes
  • Base points density ramp to remap points density and compensate for blending distortion

Tags

#After Effects#strokes#motion graphics#gradient#noise#arrows#points#plugin

Frequently asked questions

Which After Effects versions does Volna support?

Volna runs on After Effects 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2020, along with the CC 2019, CC 2018, CC 2017, CC 2015.3, CC 2015 and CC 2014 releases. That range covers both current versions and older Creative Cloud builds, so most existing After Effects installs should be able to run it. If you are on a version outside this list, check the developer's page at irrealix.com for the latest compatibility details before installing.

Is Volna free to use?

Volna is listed here as free. Because licensing terms can change over time, confirm the current terms and any license conditions on developer irrealix's page at irrealix.com before downloading. This listing does not include specific pricing beyond its free status, so the developer's site remains the reliable source for how the plugin is currently distributed and whether any registration or activation is required.

Can Volna react to audio?

Volna includes audio-driven noise, so sound can affect noise amplitude, frequency, offsets or evolution. This connects an audio source to the plugin's noise distortion parameters, letting stroke motion respond to the driving audio. It works alongside the other noise controls, including the noise ramp that defines which segment the noise affects. For the exact setup, refer to the developer's documentation at irrealix.com.

Can Volna blend more than one mask?

Volna can take one or two masks and blend them into a new shape that carries multiple strokes. It draws its strokes from masks, and a base points density ramp is available to remap points density and compensate for distortion introduced by the blending. Combined with the lines and points stroke modes, this two-mask blending is central to how Volna builds its shapes.

What stroke styles can Volna create?

Volna produces artistic stroke styles using alpha noise, a ramp and a sine function, which can yield rough strokes, a soft chalk look, or dashes. Strokes can render as lines or points, be filled with gradients, and carry parametric arrows at their ends. Thickness is shaped along the path with a ramp control, and randomize controls add variation. Together these give a range of stroke appearances from a single plugin.

Alternatives to Volna

Also in Motion Graphics for After Effects.

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