What It Does
Control LMFX is a dockable After Effects panel built around managing layers and effects at a project level, not just inside a single composition. You can group layers and effects, then control the whole group at once regardless of which comp is currently active. It also lets you adjust a selected effect’s parameters across multiple compositions simultaneously, which removes a lot of manual hunting through nested comps.
Key Features
FX Manager. Shows you which layers across your entire project have a specific effect active. Toggle effects on or off without digging through individual comps. Includes an FX Editor with parameter search for faster adjustments.
Group Controls. Organize layers into named groups and change their visibility or behavior all at once. Useful for complex projects where the same set of layers appears across many compositions.
Layer Filters in the Timeline. Preset filters let you narrow down what’s visible in the timeline to only the layer types you care about. You can invert the filter via hotkey, and create groups from filtered results directly.
Quick Actions. Automatically trims newly added null layers, track mattes, and adjustment layers to match context. Reduces the small but repetitive cleanup that adds up over a long session.
Palette Manager. Uses the standard After Effects Color Picker and adds color grouping by type, so you can maintain consistent color conventions across a project without keeping notes elsewhere.
Recolor Keyframes. Apply color parameters to all keyframes at once with the Apply to All Parameters option.
Expression Tool. Improved UI for applying expressions across multiple layers.
Custom Sort Folder and Import Groups. Sort imported assets into folders with custom rules, and use recent history to re-import groups faster on repeat projects.
FPS Editor. Manage frame rates for footage and compositions, with project folder filtering and automatic layer extension when comp duration changes.
Who It’s For
Most useful for editors and motion designers working on projects with many compositions, heavy use of effects, or recurring layer structures like lower thirds, branded elements, or localized versions. If your After Effects projects stay simple and single-comp, the benefit is limited. But on multi-comp broadcast or campaign work, having a single panel to manage visibility, effects, and layer organization saves real time.
Pricing
Control LMFX is a one-time purchase at $24.00 (introductory price, valid until March 21, 2026; regular price $30.00). A free trial is available. Compatible with After Effects 2022 through 2026.