What It Does
colorLibrary manages color swatches inside After Effects. It scans compositions for colors used in solids, comp backgrounds, and color properties, then stores them in a central library. You can add colors manually, rename swatches, delete unused ones, and share palettes across projects or with other Adobe applications.
Key Features
GET COLORS scans selected compositions and extracts colors from solid layers, background colors, and color properties. The script reads decimal values rather than floating-point precision, which works for most motion graphics tasks.
Manual color input happens through four methods: SEL adds colors from selected solids and properties, PKR opens the system color picker, EYE uses an eyedropper to sample any pixel on screen, and Alt + click on a swatch creates a new solid with that color.
File import and export supports two formats. CSV files store colors as semicolon-separated values readable in text editors or spreadsheet software. ASE (Adobe Swatch Exchange) files work across Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, though exporting ASE requires an internet connection.
Swatch management lets you rename colors (Shift + click), delete them (Ctrl/Cmd + click), and view decimal and RGB values by hovering over swatches. The script auto-saves your palette to After Effects preferences when you close the window or quit the application.
Who It’s For
Motion designers working with brand colors across multiple compositions. Anyone building color-consistent templates or reusing palettes between projects. Teams sharing color schemes via CSV or ASE files with other Adobe software users.
Pricing
This product has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase.
Compatibility
Works with After Effects CC, CS6, CS5.5, and CS5. CS5 users must manually press a Restore button each time they launch After Effects due to a UI panel bug.
Developer
Created by Eduardo Iglesias from The Tiny Post House.