What It Does
Chain & Sprockets generates a complete 2-gear and connecting chain rig as After Effects shape layers. The script builds five layers (two nulls and three shapes) that work together as a pre-rigged system. Once created, the rig can be animated and customized through effect controls on the main controller null.
Note: This plugin has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase.
Key Features
7 gear ratio presets let you set the relationship between the main gear and second gear. Options range from 1:4 (second gear 4x larger) to 4:1 (main gear 4x larger). The script enforces a minimum gear diameter of 50 pixels.
7 chain ratio options control the distance between gears by setting the relationship between the largest gear and chain length. The 1:1.5 ratio is disabled for equal gear sizes to prevent overlap.
Effect-based controller on the main null provides all animation and customization controls. Since all layers parent to this controller, you can move, scale, or rotate the entire rig as one unit. Shape layers scale without resolution loss.
Multi-rig support allows multiple chain and gear systems in one composition. Each rig gets a unique hexadecimal identifier to avoid expression conflicts. You can parent child rigs to parent rigs using specific expressions for complex mechanical animations.
Who It’s For
Useful for motion designers creating mechanical animations, industrial visualizations, or technical illustrations. Works well for title sequences with gear motifs or explanatory videos showing how mechanical systems operate.
Technical Notes
The chain defaults to Difference blending mode for alignment, switch it to Normal for final renders. Version 1.03 (November 2018) added compatibility with the CC 2019 JavaScript expression engine. Do not rename the Main Controller null, its name connects to the rig’s expressions.
Gears under 200 pixels have cutout visibility disabled by default but can be re-enabled. Cutouts remain dynamically linked to axle diameter and may not display on very small gears with large axles.
Pricing
Originally sold for $12.00. A trial version was available with limitations: 300-pixel maximum diameter, 1:15 second gear ratio cap, 1:2 chain ratio only, and main gear locked to the left side. The product is now discontinued.