What It Does
BAO Boa distorts any After Effects layer by warping it along a mask path. Think of it as a spline deformer, mapping your footage or graphics onto curves with precise control over rotation, scale, and positioning. Works in 3D space with camera and light interaction.
Key Features
3D geometry controls. Rotate, scale, and position splines in 3D space with per-vertex Z-depth and scale interpolation. Choose between linear or cosine interpolation for smoother or harder transitions.
Stretch with verts match. Uses mask vertices like Puppet Pins, giving you per-segment distortion control. Useful for character rigging where each joint needs independent movement.
Partial undistortion. Keeps specific sections of your layer undistorted while the rest bends along the path. For example, bend an arm but leave the hand flat.
Path manipulation. Control start/end points, scale, and Z-position along the entire path. Similar to Cinema 4D’s helix tool but applied to layer warping.
Extrusion and contour. Extrude layers in 3D space with proper depth-of-field support. Reacts to comp cameras and lights.
Rendering performance. Native plugin with adjustable mesh quality and sub-sampling. Renders quickly even with motion blur enabled. Supports 16-bit color.
Who It’s For
Character animators rigging 2D characters with bendy limbs. Motion designers creating organic title animations or warped graphics. VFX artists mapping textures onto curved surfaces. Anyone who needs precise control over layer distortion beyond standard warp effects.
Pricing
Single User License costs $69.99 (one-time purchase). Also available in the BAO Distortion Bundle with Layer Sculptor and Joint for $156.99, saving 25% versus buying individually. Compatible with After Effects CS6 through 2026. A trial version is available.