Adobe After Effects

A digital visual effects, motion graphics, and compositing application used for animation and post-production in film, video games, and TV

by Adobe Inc ·

4.7

5 ·⚖️ Paid

Blog ·Forum ·FAQ ·User Guide

Features & Limitations

+	Motion Design	Create animations and motion graphics for film, TV, video, and web
+	3D Animation	Design dynamic 3D animations and combine 2D and 3D elements
+	Visual Effects	Add visual effects like storms, lasers, and more
+	Roto Brush	Select and separate objects from the background using AI
+	Content-Aware Fill	Remove unwanted elements from video frames
+	Keying Tools	Replace backgrounds and add new elements to scenes
+	Motion Graphics Templates	Design and share customizable templates
+	Text Animation	Animate text for titles, credits, and more
+	Puppet Tool	Simulate realistic movement for characters and shapes
+	Graph Editor	Get precise control over animations
+	Expressions	Automate actions and create data-driven visualizations
+	3D Models	Import 3D models directly from Cinema 4D or Adobe Substance 3D
+	Camera Layers	Animate 3D models using camera layers
+	Parent Layers	Apply animation properties to linked layers
+	Image-Based Lighting	Use images as light sources for realistic environments
+	Wiggle Expression	Add natural-looking motion to animations
+	Motion Blur	Achieve realistic motion effects
+	Extrusion and Beveling	Add dimension to 2D designs
+	360° VR Support	Create immersive experiences for virtual reality platforms
+	Real-time Collboration	Collaborate with multiple users on the same project in real-time
+	AI Generate	Create motion graphics from text or still images with AI assistance
-	Steep Learning Curve	The software can be challenging for beginners due to its complex interface and extensive features
-	Resource-Intensive	Requires a powerful computer with sufficient RAM and GPU capabilities to handle high-resolution video and complex compositions
-	Render Times	Rendering complex animations and effects can be time-consuming, especially for longer or high-resolution projects
-	Limited 3D Capabilities	While it has some 3D features, it is not a full-fledged 3D modeling or animation software
-	No Real-Time Previews	The lack of real-time previews makes it harder to review final renders

Platform

Social

System Requirements

Version ↓

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Windows 10 (64-bit) version 22H2 or later	Windows 10 (64-bit) version 22H2 (or later) or Windows 11.
2	Intel® 8th Gen or newer CPU – or AMD Ryzen™ 1000 Series or newer CPU Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2) Support required It is not possible to install the 24.0 versions on Intel® 3rd Generation of processors or older (as well as older AMD processors).	Intel® 11th Gen or newer CPU with Quick Sync AMD Ryzen™ 3000 Series / Threadripper 2000 series or newer CPU
3	16 GB	16 GB of RAM for HD media 32 GB or more for 4K and higher
4	8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on removable flash storage) Additional high-speed drive for media	Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache Additional high-speed drive(s) for media
5	Windows with NVIDIA GPU: GPU must be of the Maxwell generation or newer and have at least 4GB of VRAM Windows with Intel or AMD GPU: Discrete GPU with at least 4GB VRAM and support for OpenCL	4 GB of GPU memory for HD and some 4K media 6 GB or more for 4K and higher
6	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080 or greater DisplayHDR 1000 for HDR workflows
7	ASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver Model	ASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver Model
8	1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only)	10 Gigabit ethernet for 4K shared network workflow

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS Monterey (version 12) or later	macOS Monterey (version 12) or later
2	Intel® 6thGen or newer CPU	Apple silicon M1 or newer
3	16 GB	Apple silicon: 16 GB of unified memory
4	8 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on removable flash storage) Additional high-speed drive for media	Fast internal SSD for app installation and cache Additional high-speed drive(s) for media
5	Apple Silicon: 16GB of RAM Intel Macs with a discrete AMD GPU: 4GB of VRAM	Apple silicon: 16 GB of unified memory
6	1920 x 1080	1920 x 1080 or greater DisplayHDR 1000 for HDR workflows
7	1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only)	10 Gigabit ethernet for 4K shared network workflow

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) V20H2 or later	Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) V20H2 or later
2	Intel or AMD Quad-Core Processor	8-Core or above for Multi-Frame Rendering
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	15GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (64GB+ recommended)
5	2 GB of GPU VRAM NVIDIA driver 472.12 or later	4GB or more of GPU VRAM
6	1920 x 1080	1920x1080 or greater display resolution
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS Big Sur v11.0 or later	macOS Monterey v12.0 or later
2	Intel, Native Apple Silicon, Rosetta2 Supported Quad-Core Processor	8-Core or above for Multi-Frame Rendering
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	15GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache 64GB+
5	2 GB of GPU VRAM (Draft 3D requires discrete GPUs that are compatible with Apple Metal 2)	4 GB of GPU VRAM
6	1440x900	1440x900 or greater display resolution
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft Windows 10 (64 bit) versions 1909 and later	Microsoft Windows 10 (64 bit) versions 1909 and later
2	Intel or AMD Quad-Core Processor	8-Core or above for Multi-Frame Rendering
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	15GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (64GB+ recommended)
5	2 GB of GPU VRAM NVIDIA driver 472.12 or later	4GB or more of GPU VRAM
6	1920 x 1080	1920x1080 or greater display resolution
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS versions 10.15 or macOS Big Sur (11.), macOS Monterey (12.).	macOS v10.15 (Catalina) or later
2	Intel, Native Apple Silicon, Rosetta2 Supported Quad-Core Processor	8-Core or above for Multi-Frame Rendering
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	15GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache 64GB+
5	2 GB of GPU VRAM (Draft 3D requires discrete GPUs that are compatible with Apple Metal 2)	4 GB of GPU VRAM
6	1440x900	1440x900 or greater display resolution
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft Windows 10 (64 bit) versions 1903 and later. Note: Win version 1607 is not supported
2	Intel or AMD Multi-Core Processor
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	15GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (64GB+ recommended)
5	2GB of GPU VRAM NVIDIA driver 451.77 or later	4GB of GPU VRAM
6	1920x1080 or greater display resolution
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS versions 10.14, 10.15 or macOS Big Sur 11.0 and later. macOS Big Sur is supported in After Effects version 17.5.1
2	Intel and Apple Silicon (Rosetta2 Supported) Multi-Core Processor
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	15GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (64GB+ recommended)
5	2GB of GPU VRAM
6	1440x900 or greater display resolution
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services.*

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft Windows 10 (64 bit) versions 1803 and later
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5	2GB of GPU VRAM NVIDIA driver 451.77 or later
6	1280x1080 or greater display resolution
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS versions 10.13 (High Sierra), 10.14 (Mojave), 10.15 (Catalina). macOS Big Sur is supported in After Effects version 17.5.1
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	6GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5	1440x900 or greater display resolution
6	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft Windows 10 (64 bit) versions 1703 (Creators Update) and later
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5	1280x1080 or greater display resolution
6	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS versions 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), 10.14 (Mojave), 10.15 (Catalina) macOS Big Sur is supported in After Effects version 17.5.1
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	6GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5	1440x900 or greater display resolution
6	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft Windows 10 (64 bit) versions 1703 (Creators Update) and later
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5	1280x1080 or greater display resolution
6	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS versions 10.12 (Sierra), 10.13 (High Sierra), 10.14 (Mojave) macOS Big Sur is supported in After Effects version 17.5.1
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	16 GB	32 GB
4	6GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5	1440x900 or greater display resolution
6	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft® Windows® 7 with Service Pack 1 (64 bit), Windows 8.1 (64 bit), or Windows 10 (64 bit)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1280x1080 display
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	10.11 (El Capitan), 10.12 (Sierra), or 10.13 (High Sierra)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	6GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1440x900 display
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft® Windows® 7 with Service Pack 1 (64 bit), Windows 8.1 (64 bit), or Windows 10 (64 bit)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	DisplaY:1280x1080
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	10.11 (El Capitan), 10.12 (Sierra), or 10.13 (High Sierra)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	6GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1440x900
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft® Windows® 7 with Service Pack 1 (64 bit), Windows 8 (64 bit), Windows 8.1 (64 bit), or Windows 10 (64 bit)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1280x1080
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS versions 10.10 (Yosemite), 10.11 (El Capitan), or 10.12 (Sierra)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	6GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1440x900
7	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft® Windows® 7 with Service Pack 1 (64 bit), Windows 8.1 (64 bit), or Windows 10 (64 bit)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1280x1080
7	OpenGL 2.0-capable system QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
8	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS versions 10.9 (Mavericks), or 10.11 (El Capitan)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	6GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1440x900
7	OpenGL 2.0-capable system QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
8	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 (64 bit), or Windows 8.1 (64 bit)
2	Intel Core2 Duo or AMD Phenom II processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5 GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10 GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1280 x 1080
7	OpenGL 2.0-capable system QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
8	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS v10.9 (Mavericks)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10 GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1440 x 900
7	OpenGL 2.0-capable system QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
8	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Microsoft Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, or Windows 8.1
2	Intel Core2 Duo or AMD Phenom II processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5 GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10 GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1280 x 1080
7	OpenGL 2.0-capable system QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
8	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS v10.8 (Mountain Lion), v10.9 (Mavericks)
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10 GB recommended)
5		Adobe-certified GPU card for GPU-accelerated ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1440 x 900
7	OpenGL 2.0-capable system QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
8	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, validation of subscriptions, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	Windows 7 with Service Pack 1, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1
2	Intel® Core™2 Duo or AMD Phenom® II processor; 64-bit support required
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	5 GB of available hard-disk space; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Graphics card with at least 1 GB VRAM for GPU acceleration of ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1280 x 900
7	OpenGL 2.0-capable system QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
8	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, membership validation, and access to online services

#	Minimum	Recommended
1	macOS v10.7.4, v10.8, or v10.9
2	Multicore Intel processor with 64-bit support
3	8 GB	16 GB
4	Storage:5 GB of available hard-disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (cannot install on a volume that uses a case-sensitive file system or on removable flash storage devices)	Additional disk space for disk cache (10GB recommended)
5		Graphics card with at least 1 GB VRAM and CUDA 5.0 for GPU acceleration of ray-traced 3D renderer
6	1440 x 900
7	OpenGL 2.0-capable system QuickTime 7.6.6 software required for QuickTime features
8	Internet connection and registration are necessary for required software activation, membership validation, and access to online services

Ratings

4.70

Capterra	4.8 5 based on 418 reviews
GetApp	4.8 5 based on 418 reviews
TechRadar	4.5 5 based on professional's opinion

Developer

Adobe Inc

Written in

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Initial Release

January 1993

Repository

Adobe After Effects being a proprietary software, its source code is not publicly hosted.

License

Proprietary, Commercial

Alternatives

Visual Effects
No alternative software available under 'Visual Effects' category.
Motion Graphics
No alternative software available under 'Motion Graphics' category.
Animation
No alternative software available under 'Animation' category.
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