What It Does
Chartist generates bar charts and line graphs inside After Effects without using expressions. You control the entire chart from one composition, import CSV files with hundreds of data points, and animate results using keyframes instead of code.
Key Features
CSV import and paste values. Drop in spreadsheet data or paste values directly. The plugin handles hundreds of data points and imports multiple line charts simultaneously.
Flexible bar animations. Animate bars from any direction, stack multiple shapes per bar, add position offsets, or mix animation styles. Line charts offer three animation modes.
Custom bars from any layer. Turn shape layers, comps, images, videos, or text into repeating bar elements. The 1.5 update added this feature, followed by custom texture mapping in 1.6.
Background system with gradients and grids. Build and save styled backgrounds with two levels of grid overlays (added in version 1.4).
Legend creation. Generate chart keys automatically to label datasets (version 1.3).
Right-to-left layout support. Handle Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Urdu text orientations (version 1.2).
Expressionless architecture. The plugin uses keyframes only, which means fast previews, no lag during playback, and predictable render times. No nested comps to manage.
Preset library. Comes with 7 bar chart presets and 4 line graph presets. Save your own to build a reusable style library.
Intelligent date system. Automates date entry on axes to skip manual label work.
Who It’s For
Motion designers making explainer videos, corporate presentations, or social media content with data. News graphics teams who need quick turnaround on changing numbers. Anyone who wants chart animation without wrestling with expressions or external data tools.
The UI requires a 1920x1080 minimum screen resolution. The plugin works in After Effects 2020 through 2025.
Pricing
$19.99 for a single-user license. One-time purchase, no subscription.