Chain & Sprockets

This product has been discontinued

Chain & Sprockets builds a 2 gear and a connecting chain rig with an effect allows you to animate and further customize the rig.

Availability:

No Longer Available

Description

This product has been discontinued

Create an interconnected gear and chain rig using Chain & Sprockets.

Simple To Use:

Open the script and you’ll find this interface, where you can set the configuration of the rig.

Callouts for the Script UI

Trial version is limited to: Diameter of 300 pixels, Second Gear Ratio of 1:15, Chain Ratio of 1:2, and Main Gear on Left Side.

Gear Ratios and Minimum Gear Sizes:

Gear ratios and minimum gear sizes

The Gear Ratio is the relationship of the Main Gear to the Second Gear and there are 7 Gear Ratios to choose from. For example 1:4 means the Second Gear will be 4 times larger than the Main Gear and 4:1 means that the Main Gear will be 4 times larger than the Second Gear. The minimum diameter of any gear is 50, and the script won’t allow any diameters that will create a gear that is smaller than that.

Chain Ratios:

The Chain Ratio is the relationship of the largest gear to the length of the chain and there 7 Chain Ratios to choose from. Note: for some gear ratios the largest gear is the Second Gear. This ratio determines the distance between the two gears. Also for the gear ratio of 1:1 the Chain Ratio of 1:1.5 isn’t available because the gears would overlap.

Chain ratios

The Rig:

Once you build the rig you’ll find 5 new layer in your comp. 2 Nulls and 3 Shape Layers.
Rig callouts

The Controller:

You’ll find the effect that controls the rig located on the Main Controller Null. It contains all the controls to customize and control the rig. Also, all the layers are parented to the Main Controller layer so just move, scale or rotate this null to adjust the whole rig. Since these are shape layers, they scale without any loss in resolution.

Controller callouts

A Couple of Notes:

Version 1.03 (11/12/18) - expressions now compatible with the CC2019 Javascript expression engine.

The Chain defaults to Difference Blending Mode so that you can easily align the gears to the chain. Make sure to change the blending mode back to Normal, for use.

It is important not to change the name of the Main Controller Null, as it is connected to the rig’s expressions, and changing the name will break those connections. There is a unique 4 digit hexadecimal number at the end of the name and this allows multiple rigs to reside in a comp without any conflict.

Gears with diameters less than 200 pixels default to having their Cutouts Visibility set to off - you can turn them back on. Since they are dynamically linked to the axle diameter, they still may not be visible if the gear is too small, and the axle is too big.

You can parent one rig to another rig by holding the Shift key down while you parent the Main Controller of the child rig to the Second Gear Null of the parent rig. You’ll also need to link the Child’s Main Controller/Main Rotation Property to the Parent’s Main Controller/Main Rotation Property using an expression that looks something like this:

Example of expression on the child's controller main rotation

you can copy and paste this expression - changing the Main Controller name and the GearRatio variable to match your rig:

var GearRatio = 2; //change this to match the gear ratio of the parent comp

var MainControl = thisComp.layer("Main Controller 5757"); //pickwhip this variable to the Parent Main Controller Layer Name

var rotate = MainControl.effect("Chain-N-Sprockets")("Main Rotation")*GearRatio;

rotate



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

1.03 -

Nov 12, 2018

Expressions now compatible with AE CC2019

1.02 -

Jul 16, 2018

Fixed issue related to Gear Smoother effect, where users in different languages may see the script fail.

1.01 -

Apr 6, 2018

Asset folder now in Applications support

1.0 -

Apr 4, 2018

Initial release

Compatibility

After Effects

CC 2019, CC 2018, CC 2017, CC 2015.3, CC 2015, CC 2014

EULA

END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

This software ("the Software Product") and accompanying documentation is licensed and not sold. This Software Product is protected by copyright laws and treaties, as well as laws and treaties related to other forms of intellectual property. The author owns intellectual property rights in the Software Product. The Licensee's ("you" or "your") license to download, use, copy, or change the Software Product is subject to these rights and to all the terms and conditions of this End User License Agreement ("Agreement").

Acceptance
YOU ACCEPT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT BY SELECTING THE "ACCEPT" OPTION AND DOWNLOADING THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT OR BY INSTALLING, USING, OR COPYING THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT. YOU MUST AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU MUST SELECT "DECLINE" AND YOU MUST NOT INSTALL, USE, OR COPY THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

License Grant
This Agreement entitles you to install and use one copy of the Software Product. In addition, you may make one archival copy of the Software Product. The archival copy must be on a storage medium other than a hard drive, and may only be used for the reinstallation of the Software Product. This Agreement does not permit the installation or use of multiple copies of the Software Product, or the installation of the Software Product on more than one computer at any given time, on a system that allows shared used of applications, on a multi-user network, or on any configuration or system of computers that allows multiple users. Multiple copy use or installation is only allowed if you obtain an appropriate licensing agreement for each user and each copy of the Software Product.

Restrictions on Transfer
Without first obtaining the express written consent of the author, you may not assign your rights and obligations under this Agreement, or redistribute, encumber, sell, rent, lease, sublicense, or otherwise transfer your rights to the Software Product.

Restrictions on Use
You may not use, copy, or install the Software Product on any system with more than one computer, or permit the use, copying, or installation of the Software Product by more than one user or on more than one computer. If you hold multiple, validly licensed copies, you may not use, copy, or install the Software Product on any system with more than the number of computers permitted by license, or permit the use, copying, or installation by more users, or on more computers than the number permitted by license.

You may not decompile, "reverse-engineer", disassemble, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code for the Software Product.

Restrictions on Alteration
You may not modify the Software Product or create any derivative work of the Software Product or its accompanying documentation. Derivative works include but are not limited to translations. You may not alter any files or libraries in any portion of the Software Product.

Restrictions on Copying
You may not copy any part of the Software Product except to the extent that licensed use inherently demands the creation of a temporary copy stored in computer memory and not permanently affixed on storage medium. You may make one archival copy which must be stored on a medium other than a computer hard drive.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability
UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPLICITLY AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE AUTHOR, THE AUTHOR MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN THE LIMITED WARRANTY DOCUMENTS PROVIDED WITH THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

The author makes no warranty that the Software Product will meet your requirements or operate under your specific conditions of use. The author makes no warranty that operation of the Software Product will be secure, error free, or free from interruption. YOU MUST DETERMINE WHETHER THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT SUFFICIENTLY MEETS YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURITY AND UNINTERRUPTABILITY. YOU BEAR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS INCURRED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT TO MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR THE LOSS OF DATA ON ANY COMPUTER OR INFORMATION STORAGE DEVICE.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE AUTHOR, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING LOST REVENUES OR PROFITS OR LOSS OF BUSINESS) RESULTING FROM THIS AGREEMENT, OR FROM THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, INSTALLATION, OR USE OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT, WHETHER DUE TO A BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE AUTHOR OR ANY OTHER PARTY, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR IS ADVISED BEFOREHAND OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICABLE JURISDICTION LIMITS THE AUTHOR'S ABILITY TO DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, THIS DISCLAIMER SHALL BE EFFECTIVE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED.

Limitation of Remedies and Damages
Any claim must be made within the applicable warranty period. All warranties cover only defects arising under normal use and do not include malfunctions or failure resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, problems with electrical power, acts of nature, unusual temperatures or humidity, improper installation, or damage determined by the author to have been caused by you. All limited warranties on the Software Product are granted only to you and are non-transferable. You agree to indemnify and hold the author harmless from all claims, judgments, liabilities, expenses, or costs arising from your breach of this Agreement and/or acts or omissions.

Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Costs
This Agreement is governed by the laws of New York, without regard to New York's conflict or choice of law provisions.

Severability
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. To the extent any express or implied restrictions are not permitted by applicable laws, these express or implied restrictions shall remain in force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by such applicable laws.

Updated: Oct 21, 2025 1:35 AM

Floating License Server Required

The Floating Server License for Chain & Sprockets requires a Floating License Server (FLS) to activate and use.

You don't currently own one and don't have one in your cart. You can purchase one for $99.99, or learn more about license types.

You Already Own This Product

It looks like you already own Chain & Sprockets. If you're purchasing an additional license (for second machine or a different license type), go ahead. If this was an accident, you can check your existing licenses to confirm what you have.

View My Licenses