Workflower
-
Compatibility After Effects Please check exact version compatibility under the "COMPATIBILITY" tab below
Adding to cart... Click here for more information.
Of course, you can send me a support ticket, too, or post a comment on this page.
Note for all Users:
If you're still using version 1.0 or 1.0.1, please update to the current version as it contains fixes for critical bugs that could cause AE to crash/freeze!
Note for Mac Users:
There are some limitations on Mac compared to the Windows version. The main limitation is that you can only use a maximum of 20 shortcuts. Also, if you have shortcuts applied to other scripts, the number of shortcuts you can use for Workflower functions gets reduced as well. Read up here about the limitations on Mac. Please test out the trial first to see whether it works for you.
We're all in a very unhealthy love-hate relationship with After Effects. We love it for how intuitive it is. We get a rush when building a beautiful shot. But then ... there are precomps. And then ... there are comps cluttered with too many f*cking layers. And ... these GODDAMN different transforms of layers!
It could be so much simpler. Well, Workflower is here to help and it could be the perfect therapist for our relationship crisis with After Effects. But what can Workflower do for us?
Create Layer Groups
Create Layer Groups
Yes, you heard right! Workflower lets you create groups of layers within your composition. Get ready to organize the hell out of your next project! But you can even do so much more than just creating groups:
Create Groups & Sub-Groups
Collapse & Expand Groups
Select & Move Groups
Parent Group Layers
Disable, Solo & Lock Groups
Relabel Groups
Duplicate Groups
Create Group Mattes
... and more!
Like ungrouping, dissolving, and deleting groups. Or creating a group adjustment layer.
Create Adjustment Layers
only to Selected Layers
Adjustment Layers
only to Selected Layers
Ever wondered why you can't apply an adjustment layer only to certain layers? Well, me too. But wondering doesn't apply an adjustment layer only to certain layers. Workflower does, on the other hand:
Apply Effects!
Workflower will create a layer, onto which you can apply your effects. It will then copy these effects with linked expressions to all previously selected layers.
Update!
If you add new effects, change the effects order, or link new layers to the adjustment layer, just hit Refresh to update all linked layers.
All linked up!
Visibility of effects is linked by expressions as well. Also, the adjustment layer’s opacity. Or its visibility, too. Magic! (Or just a simple expression. Probably rather the latter. I'm sad now. Say something nice to me.)
... and even more!
Use multiple adjustment layers. Convert properties of effects to comp size to account for different transforms of linked layers. Unlink all properties when you’re done working.
Clone & Precomp Layers
Clone & Precomp Layers
Well, what would cloning and precomping layers be good for, you ask. A shit-ton. You just don't know it yet. What's the most dreaded nightmare when working on a comp? Correct, getting stuff to comp dimensions, so that we can reference it by another layer - to build a lightwrap - or to displace our layers - or to create a matte from them. Or, or, or, ... Our only option then: precomp 'em!
But what about the comp's camera? Or the layers' parents? Or other layers referenced by effects? Or expressions that reference the main comp but not the new precomp? And aside from that: Who likes constantly loosing layers from one’s composition and then having to dig through levels and levels of precomps just to find one layer?
Well, there might be some masochists out there. But for everyone else, there's now: Clone & Precomp!
Clone 'em!
Clone & Precomp will copy all selected layers (or an entire group) to a precomp and link the layers with expressions to their source layers. Parents, camera, lights, and layers referenced by effects will be copied too!
Refresh Connections
If you change non-linkable stuff like adding effects, changing a parent or blending mode, or turning on motion blur, just hit Refresh to update the clone layers.
Prime Clones
In a Prime Clone, a special kind of clone, all contained source layers will be set to 0% opacity while their corresponding clone layers inherit the original opacity.
That way, you can apply effects to the precomp layer and then continue to work on the contained layers.
However, unlike working within a precomp, you will see the changes update including the effects on the precomp layer. Revolutionary! (Maybe not quite like French Revolution revolutionary. But almost.)
You can show the actual layers again, too, by executing Show Clone Layers.
Unlink it!
When you're done working on your Precomp Clone, you can unlink all layers. That will remove the expressions and make your After Effects lightning fast! (Well, okay, so just as fast as your regular layers would be. So maybe like medium lightning speed then.)
... and mooooooore!
Like expression-linked visibility of layers and effects. Or Clones IN Comp (not Precomp ones) that require less refreshing. Or Custom States for Precomp Clone layers. Or Custom Sizes for Precomp Clones. Or other refreshing modes (even quicker ones).
Create & Merge Mattes
Create & Merge Mattes
Matting can be quite confusing. The track matte works great. But what if you want to use multiple mattes at once? Or you want to use a matte layer that cannot sit directly above your layer? Well, there's the Set Matte effect. But what about layers with other transforms? Or ones without Collapse Transformation? Ugh ... It's annoying. That's why Workflower provides different tools for matting:
Create
Now you can quickly create an empty track matte to the selected layer. Or create a matte to multiple layers at once. Neat.
Merge
Merge Mattes will merge several mattes on one track matte. For layers that neither have comp dimensions nor Collapse Transformation enabled, a Precomp Clone will be created - that way they will be fit to comp size and transforms are set correctly!! (Mind = Blown.)
Modify
Calculations effects will be added for every merged matte. That way, you easily change the blending mode (Normal, Stencil Alpha, Stencil Luma, Silhouette Alpha, Silhouette Luma), the opacity, or the order in which the mattes are applied.
Work quickly with Shortcuts!
Work quickly with Shortcuts!
Workflower has been designed to be used with shortcuts, so you can work as quickly as possible. Shortcuts can be applied to all 40 (!) functions.
Compatibility
Compatibility
Workflower is compatible with:
- After Effects 2021
- After Effects Beta
- After Effects 2020
- After Effects CC 2019
- After Effects CC 2018
It works on Windows and Mac. On Mac, though, there are a few limitations. Read up here for more information.
KBar Support!
As of version 1.0.4, Workflower supports the use of KBar buttons for almost all functions. Click here for instructions on how to set it up.
User Guide
User Guide
Workflower has an extensive User Guide, detailing every function. Check it out!
Tutorials
Tutorials
There are six tutorials available, covering every core function of Workflower. Don't feel overwhelmed, though. You don't need to watch all tutorials to get started! Simply choose what you're interested in. For example, just watching most of the Groups tutorial would be enough to get you started:
Tutorial 1: Overview
Note: If you want to go straight into learning more in-depth about Workflower, you can also skip this tutorial, as I will be teaching everything from scratch in the other tutorials. However, if you still want to get a basic overview of the functions and/or just a very quick start on how to use Workflower, this tutorial is for you.
Tutorial 2: Installation
Tutorial 3: Groups, Renaming & Relabeling
Tutorial 4: Precomp Clones & Clones in Comp
Tutorial 5: Creating & Merging Mattes
Tutorial 6: Adjustment Layers & Storing Layers
Try it!
Try it!
There is a free trial version available which is usable for 10 days. It is almost fully functional and only has a few limitations. The following functions are deactivated:
- Quick Refresh Connections (A faster mode to refresh Precomp Clones. However, you can still use the regular Refresh Connections function.)
- Matted Adjustment Layers (An alternative to the Workflower's regular Adjustment Layer to Selected Layers.)
- Layer Storing (Often used layers can be stored and then pasted again using a shortcut. So it's some kind of an extended clipboard. With multiple store spaces!)
- Rename Layers by Number
| After Effects | 2021, 2020, CC 2019, CC 2018 |
|---|
1.0.4 (Current version) - Sep 10, 2021
- Support for KBar Buttons. Check out the user guide on "Installation" for more.
- Ability to add a shortcut for "Rename Layers by Number".
[Changed]
- "Matte Merge" layers now resize automatically if the comp size has been changed.
- A more robust updating process for shortcut slots on Mac and "Individual Scripts Mode" on Windows. There's no need anymore to go to the shortcuts panel yourself. Also, if the update wasn't successful, Workflower will keep reminding you to update.
[Fixed]
- Under certain conditions, some Japanese users experienced problems with opening the script. Now, alerts with more meaningful messages have been put in to guide the installation.
- The user will now be informed if the script file was accidentally put into the "ScriptUI Panels" folder.
1.0.3 - Aug 26, 2021
- Ability to batch convert all comps to another layout style. Very useful when exchanging the project with someone who doesn't own Workflower. (For example, you might want to convert all of your comps to "Expression Mode" then.) Go to Workflower's settings and click on "Convert all Comps in Project to another Layout Style".
[Fixed]
- As there are issues with Workflower's shortcuts on Windows when the OS language is Japanese, the user will now be informed about the problem and how to set up everything correctly.
- Fixed a bug that would occur when actions are executed for multiple comps at once (like linking/unlinking elements across all comps in the project).
1.0.2 - Aug 20, 2021
[Fixed]
- Fixed issues that could lead AE to crash/freeze.
[Added]
- Support for Supercomp layers in "Indented Layout". Now, the Supercomp layer will not be indented so that it doesn't break the Supercomp.
- Speed for the "Relabel" panel to come up has been improved. Also for the execution of "Create Matte", "Delete Layer / Clone / Group" and "Paste Stored Layers".
1.0.1 - Aug 18, 2021
- "Precomp Clones" now support text style expressions on the "Source Text" property.
[Changed]
- Within a "Precomp Clone", when a text layer has different text styles, no linked expression will now be created, as an expression on this property will set a uniform text style. (Please execute "Refresh Connections" to refresh potential changes.)
[Fixed]
- As some users were not able to open the script when AE's shortcut file contains special characters, the user will now be alerted to change the shortcut file name to only contain regular English characters. (Fixing the underlying issue might take a bit as this seems to be a bug within AE.)
- The user will now be alerted when, under certain circumstances, AE's shortcut folder cannot be found. (The user will have to manually select the shortcut file then.)
- Fixed a bug that occurred when the shape content of a group header was deleted.
1.0 - Aug 13, 2021
1.0 - Aug 13, 2021
-
- Compatibility After Effects
Smart Precomposer
Smart Precomposer allows you to do a "precompose and leave all attributes" on text and shape layers, which After Effects otherwise doesn't allow. What's more, Smart Precomposer allows you to precompose any type of layer and selectively move some attributes into the new precomp, while leaving the rest in the original comp.Add to Cart -
- Compatibility After Effects
Squirrel
Add to CartA hierarchy editor that converts your timeline into an interactive treeview based on layer parenting, much like what you would find in any 3D application.
New Features! A/V switches and Cut, Copy, and Paste buttons!
$35.00 -
- Compatibility After Effects
Dupli-Kit
Duplicate layers using a pattern in After Effects with many options:Add to Cartcontrollable duplication, randomize properties, anchor point management, layers coloring, layers arrangement, and more.
-
- Compatibility After Effects
Explode Shape Layers 3
Add to CartTake control of your shape layers! Explode & merge for greater precision.
-
- Compatibility After Effects
Motion Reaction
Add to CartCreate a sense of movement and continuous state for any object.
-
- Compatibility After Effects
MonkeyWipes
Add to CartA wild procedural animation system with virtually endless possibilities. Built for easy experimentation. Great for logos, text or motion graphics.