What It Does
Fluid Map generates animated grayscale noise patterns that simulate fluid dynamics. Choose from three noise types (Directional, Swirl, Turbulence) and control how they flow across your composition. The generated maps work as displacement sources, alpha mattes, or texture bases for motion graphics.
Key Features
Three noise types. Directional creates flowing patterns in a single direction. Swirl adds rotational motion. Turbulence introduces chaotic, organic movement. Each behaves differently and suits different visual needs.
Independent flow controls. Adjust XY offset, scale (both global and per-axis), flow angle, and flow strength separately. This lets you dial in exactly how the noise moves and warps across the frame.
Partially sharp flow. Unlike standard fractal noise, Fluid Map can create locally sharp edges in the flow pattern. This produces more dynamic, less uniform results, useful for energy effects or abstract backgrounds.
Looped animation support. Set animations to loop seamlessly, handy for backgrounds that need to repeat without visible seams.
Easy coloring. The plugin outputs grayscale. Apply Colorama or CC Toner to colorize the result. This keeps the effect flexible and lets you swap color schemes quickly.
Simple interface. Controls include contrast adjustment and a random seed slider to vary the noise pattern. The UI stays minimal, focusing on the parameters that matter.
Who It’s For
Motion designers building abstract backgrounds, texture overlays, or displacement maps. VFX artists needing procedural noise that animates more organically than standard fractal noise. Anyone working with Colorama or tint effects who wants a better animated input than After Effects’ built-in noise.
Pricing
Fluid Map costs $29 for a single-user license. A floating server license is $37.40. The developer is offering an upgrade price of $20 through March 15, 2026 (check the product page to see if you qualify). Compatible with After Effects 2023 and later.