Note: This Plugin Is Discontinued
AE Shader Effector is no longer available for purchase. The developer recommends exploring alternative Effector tools from aescripts.
What It Does
AE Shader Effector drives layer properties based on pixel values from a map layer. Similar to Cinema 4D’s Mograph Shader Effector, it samples color channel data (luma, RGB, or alpha) and remaps those values to control properties on multiple layers at once.
Select a map layer, choose a channel (typically luma), and define remap ranges. Black pixels might remap to 0, white to 4. Apply this to selected layers, and their properties adjust based on the map’s pixel values at their positions.
Key Features
Channel sampling. Sample from luma, red, green, blue, or alpha channels of your map layer.
Property control. Affects time-remapping, position, scale, rotation, opacity, or any selected property across multiple layers simultaneously.
Dynamic remapping. Adjust or animate remap values through expression controls added to the map layer. The plugin uses expressions to create the connections.
Relative or absolute modes. Choose whether remapped values add to existing property values or replace them entirely.
Bake to keyframes. Convert expression-based animation to keyframes for better playback performance.
The interface is compact and dockable, keeping controls accessible without cluttering your workspace.
Who It’s For
Useful for motion graphics artists working with repeating elements or patterns, especially those familiar with Cinema 4D’s Mograph module. Works well for controlling duplicated layers, text animations driven by texture maps, or any scenario where you want pixel data to influence layer behavior.
Pricing
When available, AE Shader Effector used a pay-what-you-want model. Since the plugin is discontinued, no pricing information currently applies.
Compatibility: After Effects CC, CS6, CS5.5, CS5, CS4, CS3 (last update: January 2014)