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After Effects
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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.
Interactive Visual Comparison
Hover over any card below to wipe from the original raster input to the clean, generated centerline vector outline.
Handwritten Sketch Core
Extract single-pixel vector paths from heavy, overlapping pencil or ink scanner drawings.
Logo Outline Thinning
Convert double-walled outline shapes back into clean, singular animating center-path strokes.
Architectural Drawing Precision
Bridges pixel cracks and maps thinned architectural sketches onto continuous Bezier splines.
Organic Calligraphy Strokes
Extract the skeletal path while mapping dynamic width profiles back onto vectors.
The Scientific Core
CenterLine is built on a mathematical pipeline of three classic computer graphics algorithms working in perfect synchronization.
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.
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.
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
Output & Style Options
Vector Cleanup & Bezier Fitting
Strokes, Dashes & Texturing
The CenterLine Vector Workflow
Create highly complex write-on reveals from logos or raw illustrations in four simple steps.
Prepare Art
Place your text, vector outline, or rasterized hand-drawn illustration layer inside a fresh composition precomp.
Tune Threshold
Apply the CenterLine effect. Move the Threshold slider to separate background noise from your core drawing structure.
Vectorize
Click "Create Shape Layer" inside the effect controller. CenterLine converts the skeleton to native After Effects paths.
Animate
Add a native "Trim Paths" operator to the new Shape Layer. Animate the progress values to build clean reveals!
Technical Architecture
- 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
- 00:00 Intro & Overview
- 00:13 Source Settings (Threshold, Channels, Invert, Map Layer)
- 00:53 Output Style (Width, Color, Gradient, Taper, Caps, Reveal)
- 01:50 Animation (Reveal Progress, Chain Stagger, Path Offset)
- 02:24 Skeleton Cleanup (Smooth, Gap Close, Bezier Fit, Junctions)
- 03:27 Chain Selection (Preview, Start Point, Order, Reset)
- 04:14 Merge Operations (Merge by Shape, Slots 1-5)
- 04:56 Width Points (Custom Thickness Points)
- 05:14 Dash Pattern (Dash/Gap Length, Offset)
- 05:30 Stroke Texture (Roughness Amount & Scale)
- 05:46 Particles (Scatter, Tip Mode, Particle Colors, Turbulence)
- 06:35 Multi Stroke (Outline Only, Ring Width & Color)
- 06:51 Export Options (JSON, SVG, Shape Layers, Blend Selected)
- 07:33 Outro & Summary
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
1.0.4 -
Jul 13, 2026
1.0.3 -
Jul 6, 2026
Exact Euclidean Distance Transform (Felzenszwalb–Huttenlocher) replaces chamfer DT for width, pruning, and sub-pixel refinement
Sub-pixel chain coordinates (fpts) for smoother geometry and reveal
Radius-adaptive spur pruning (uses local stroke width from EDT)
Improved stroke direction: better start/end selection and loop seam placement
Junction clustering disabled for default tracing — fixes straight chords and broken skeletons on thick/curvy artwork (calligraphy, script logos)
Small 2.5 px endpoint weld closes T-junction gaps without long centroid jumps
Short-fragment stitching runs before min-chain-length filter so crossbar halves aren’t dropped early
Stroke rendering:
Single-pass stroke compositing — no more overlapping discs or scalloped edges at low opacity
Arc-length width smoothing for cleaner matched-width strokes on thick paths
Animation:
Natural Speed — curvature-based reveal easing (pen slows on turns, speeds on straights)
Speed Ease Amount — controls easing strength
Natural Speed moved into the Animation group (no separate Draw-On Physics group)
Pen Nib:
Broad-edge calligraphy simulation: width follows stroke angle vs nib orientation
Nib Angle and Min Width % controls
UI / workflow:
Removed Ink Bleed, Onion Skin, and Path Warp
Panel order: Multi-Stroke → Pen Nib → Export (Export always last)
Fixed garbled â†' characters on Export buttons
1.0.2 -
Jun 16, 2026
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 Merge By Shape Feature Added - Under Merge Operations Group
- Technical Issues Fixed
1.0.0 -
Jun 1, 2026
Compatibility
After Effects
2026, 2025
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