What It Does
ChronoKeys connects keyframes to layer durations, so when you extend or trim a layer, the keyframes adjust automatically. Instead of manually sliding keyframes or rebuilding timing from scratch, you change the layer duration and the animation follows.
This is useful when adjusting scene timing, retiming nested precomps, or fine-tuning multiple layers at once. The plugin preserves easing curves, so stretching a layer doesn’t flatten your carefully crafted motion.
Key Features
Sync Modes. Lock keyframes to a layer’s in-point or out-point. Stretch mode maintains relative timing but allows intervals between keyframes to change. Protect mode keeps keyframe spacing fixed while adjusting the overall block position.
Ripple Nudge. Adjust one layer’s duration and neighboring layers shift automatically to accommodate the change. Works with or without synced keyframes, so it’s useful for simple layer trimming or complex animation retiming.
CTI Nudge. Extend layers at the Current Time Indicator (CTI) and nudge everything else left or right. Apply to selected layers or the entire comp. Keyframes can move with their sync color or ignore it.
Align and Re-Time. Snap keyframes to layer in-points, out-points, or the CTI while preserving timing. Re-time by percentage or frame count, using the first, center, or last keyframe as the anchor. Need to extend an animation by exactly ten frames? This handles it.
Advanced Stagger. Apply ascending or descending staggers across layers, individual properties, or globally across a selection. Useful for creating offset animations without manually adjusting each layer.
Precomp Retiming. Control how deep ChronoKeys reaches into nested precomps. If a precomp isn’t long enough to extend its layers, the plugin can automatically adjust the precomp duration.
Who It’s For
Animators and motion designers who work with complex timing or frequently adjust scene durations. If you’ve ever rebuilt keyframes after a client asks to make a scene two seconds longer, this solves that.
Pricing
ChronoKeys uses a pay-what-you-want model. Individual users can name their own price. Businesses and teams must pay the suggested price of $29.99 for a valid license.