What It Does
Aura generates animated geometric shapes in 3D space using procedural “waves” rather than individual particles. Similar in concept to the classic Radiowaves plugin, it renders vector-like shapes that evolve over time. The GPU-accelerated engine handles hundreds of thousands of high-frequency waves without performance issues, useful for abstract backgrounds, data visualizations, and motion graphics.
Key Features
GPU-accelerated rendering. Renders extremely high wave frequencies using the GPU with adjustable quality settings to balance performance and output.
3D camera integration. Responds to After Effects’ built-in 3D cameras with support for depth of field and custom aperture settings for bokeh effects.
Turbulent noise. Applies evolving turbulent noise to wave animations with detailed parameter controls for subtle motion.
Advanced wave parameters. Each wave control includes start and end values plus graph parameters to control how properties change over time.
Motion paths. Drives wave movement along custom motion paths for arbitrary animations or extrusion effects.
Multiple render modes. Includes line, band, surface, and dots rendering modes for different visual styles. Surface mode creates smooth flowing geometry without rendering individual high-frequency waves.
Custom shapes from masks. Uses After Effects’ built-in masks or converted text layers to generate custom wave shapes beyond the polygon generator.
SVG export. Exports compositions or work areas as SVG sequences for print or web use.
Color mapping. Uses After Effects layers as color maps to drive wave colors and animate gradients over time.
Multi-frame rendering. Supports MFR for faster rendering in recent After Effects versions.
Who It’s For
Motion designers creating abstract backgrounds, data visualizations, or geometric animations. The high-frequency rendering makes it particularly useful for detailed procedural work where traditional particle systems would struggle with performance. The procedural nature lets you experiment with different styles through parameter changes rather than manual animation.
Pricing
$99 for a single-user license. Render-only licenses available separately for render farm use. A free trial is available to test compatibility and workflow before purchasing.
