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CenterLine

CenterLine is an After Effects plugin that extracts clean, single-pixel skeletal vector paths from any raster artwork. Using Zhang-Suen thinning, Schneider Bézier fitting, and Ramer-Douglas-Peucker optimization, it instantly converts bitmap sketches, logos, or calligraphy into lightweight, native After Effects Shape Layers, ready for perfect, smooth write-on animations with Trim Paths, and many more abilities.

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$49.00
  $39.00
Special price valid until June 20, 2026
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Description
CenterLine Showcase

Interactive Visual Comparison

Hover over any card below to wipe from the original raster input to the clean, generated centerline vector outline.

Original Sketch
CenterLine Result
BEFORE
AFTER

Handwritten Sketch Core

Extract single-pixel vector paths from heavy, overlapping pencil or ink scanner drawings.

Original Logo
CenterLine Result
BEFORE
AFTER

Logo Outline Thinning

Convert double-walled outline shapes back into clean, singular animating center-path strokes.

Blueprint Scan
CenterLine Result
BEFORE
AFTER

Architectural Drawing Precision

Bridges pixel cracks and maps thinned architectural sketches onto continuous Bezier splines.

Calligraphy
CenterLine Result
BEFORE
AFTER

Organic Calligraphy Strokes

Extract the skeletal path while mapping dynamic width profiles back onto vectors.

CenterLine Widescreen Demo

The Scientific Core

CenterLine is built on a mathematical pipeline of three classic computer graphics algorithms working in perfect synchronization.

Step 1 — Extraction

Zhang-Suen Thinning

A morphological erosion solver. Analyses neighbor pixel boundaries using a precomputed 8-bit LUT to strip outer stroke walls down to a single-pixel skeletal spine.

Step 2 — Curvature

Schneider's Algorithm

Translates raw pixel chains into continuous, mathematically perfect third-order Bezier curves. Creates minimal node counts for easy editing in After Effects.

d > e
Step 3 — Optimization

Ramer-Douglas-Peucker

Simplifies the generated vector path by decimating redundant nodes within a user-defined threshold, dramatically lowering final comp vertex weights.

High-Performance Vectorization

Traditional autotracers only create outlines. CenterLine extracts the core medial skeleton — single-line mathematical paths ready for animation.

Zhang-Suen Thinning

C++ optimized morphological thinning powered by a precomputed 8-bit LUT — delivering high-frequency, real-time feedback directly in your comp view.

Schneider Bezier Fitting

Transforms raw pixel chains into mathematically perfect, continuous curves — radically lowering anchor node counts while keeping structural forms intact.

Variable Width Mapping

Uses a distance transform to read original stroke thickness and maps that dynamic width back onto new vector lines creating organic stroke profiles.

Interactive Width Points

Position up to 8 independent control points anywhere. The plugin blends distinct stroke sizes over the layout using inverse-distance weighting.

Subpixel Progress

Calculates anti-aliased tapered capsules using sub-pixel float geometry. Line write-ons animate with pixel-perfect fluidity, free of stepping artifacts.

Instant Shape / SVG Export

Extract the processed skeleton and push it into native After Effects Shape Layers, or copy raw SVG paths to your clipboard in a single click.

Complete Parameter Dictionary

Robust effect control parameters, grouped logically for fast navigation inside the AE Effect Controls panel.

Source & Extraction Settings
Threshold
Determines the luma/alpha value to separate background pixels from foreground strokes before running thinning.
Channel
Isolate individual image components for thinning. Choose between Luminance, Red, Green, Blue, or Alpha.
Invert Input
Flips the color space, allowing you to extract dark centerlines on light paper backgrounds.
Output & Style Options
Line Width
Defines a fallback or uniform stroke thickness for the thinned vector lines.
Line Color / End
Double color pickers to map a dynamic gradient along the length of your vector path.
Match Original Width
Calculates the Euclidean distance transform of the source drawing to construct matching, variable-thickness vector lines.
Taper
Adds a customizable taper starting at the open endpoints of your vector strokes.
Reveal Original
Acts as an auto-masking reveal, drawing the original pixels of your source layer only inside the extracted skeleton stroke bounds.
Vector Cleanup & Bezier Fitting
Smooth Iterations
Number of passes for morphological spur pruning. Deletes isolated pixels and trims short noise branches.
Gap Close (px)
Smart pixel bridging. Merges thinned pixel segment chains over blank gaps dynamically.
Use Bezier Fit
Runs Schneider's Bezier curve solver to convert thinned pixel polylines into clean, low-node mathematical splines.
Fit Tolerance
Fidelity control. Tightens or relaxes curve adherence (expressed in 1/10th pixel steps).
Strokes, Dashes & Texturing
Enable Dashes
Breaks open vector lines into customizable, repeating dashed segments.
Dash / Gap Length
Controls individual sizes of dashed strokes and spacing parameters.
Offset (px)
Displaces the dashing pattern. Animate this property to generate perfect marching line overlays.
Stroke Roughness
Displaces the outer pixel bounds with high-speed noise, recreating tactile pencil, ink, or charcoal edges.

The CenterLine Vector Workflow

Create highly complex write-on reveals from logos or raw illustrations in four simple steps.

1

Prepare Art

Place your text, vector outline, or rasterized hand-drawn illustration layer inside a fresh composition precomp.

2

Tune Threshold

Apply the CenterLine effect. Move the Threshold slider to separate background noise from your core drawing structure.

3

Vectorize

Click "Create Shape Layer" inside the effect controller. CenterLine converts the skeleton to native After Effects paths.

4

Animate

Add a native "Trim Paths" operator to the new Shape Layer. Animate the progress values to build clean reveals!

Technical Architecture

Platform Compatibility After Effects CC 2020 - 2026+
OS Support Windows 10/11 x64, macOS Apple Silicon / Intel
Render Pipeline Native C++ Multi-threaded & Thread-Safe
Licensing Model Official aescripts licensing framework
 
  • 0:00 Introduction to Centerline Plugin
  • 0:48 Standard Strokes vs. Centerline
  • 1:18 Example 1: Applying to a Text Layer
  • 1:30 Understanding and Selecting Chains
  • 1:51 Blending Chains into a Single Path
  • 2:15 Adjusting the Animation Start Point
  • 2:36 Exporting as Shape Layers and Vector Paths
  • 3:29 Revealing the Original Image
  • 3:51 Previewing and Color-Coding Chains
  • 4:39 Example 2: Tracing Raster Images (Script Fonts)
  • 4:54 Using the Invert Input Feature
  • 5:43 Matching Original Image Width
  • 6:17 Skeleton Cleanup and Smoothing Paths
  • 6:47 Example 3: Map Route Animation
  • 7:32 Adding and Customizing Particles
  • 8:05 Particle Tip Mode
  • 8:33 Conclusion

Discussions

Want to talk about it?

Head over to r/aescripts to chat with fellow users about this product.

Need Support?

Please open a support ticket to be connected directly with the author of this product

Version History

1.0.2 -

Jun 16, 2026

Merge by Shape: Simple shapes (circles, curves, O/S/C) now reuse the same clean path as default mode, so they no longer redraw over themselves after the shape looks complete
Merge by Shape: Fixed circles and closed loops leaving a small gap at 100% Reveal Progress
Merge by Shape: Start points stay aligned with default mode for smoother, more predictable reveals
Merge by Shape: Branching letters (H, A, T, etc.) still use the merged stroke path; mid-shape backtracking at junctions is unchanged and expected

1.0.1 -

Jun 8, 2026

- New Line Cap Feature Added - Under Output Style Group
- New Merge By Shape Feature Added - Under Merge Operations Group
- Technical Issues Fixed

1.0.0 -

Jun 1, 2026

Initial Release

Compatibility

After Effects

2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022

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Updated: Oct 21, 2025 1:35 AM