What It Does
Grid Composer is a panel-based layout designer for After Effects. You build grid structures visually, with live preview, then export them directly into your composition. It handles the geometry, the layers, and optionally the animation, so you’re not manually drawing shapes or calculating cell sizes.
It’s useful for photo grids, portfolio reels, UI mockups, social media layouts, and any project where you need multiple panels arranged on screen.
Key Features
Visual layout designer. A live preview panel lets you build layouts interactively. Drag blocks around, snap to guides, and see the result before exporting.
Multiple layout types. Supports standard grids with adjustable rows and columns, split layouts (horizontal, vertical, or custom sub-grids), random generation with style options, and fully custom arrangements. You can resize individual blocks with left/right clicks across up to three levels.
5 export modes. Output your layout as Compositions, Shape Layers, Solid Layers, Masks on Solid, or Comps with Alpha Matte. This covers most common use cases, whether you need pre-comped cells to drop footage into or shape layers to style directly.
Built-in IN/OUT animations. Each export can include animated reveal and close transitions. Multiple styles, orders, and easing options are available, so you’re not starting from scratch on the animation side.
Dynamic Grid controls. Shape and Comp+Alpha Matte exports include a Null controller with master sliders, letting you resize and animate the entire grid live inside After Effects. Version 1.2 added per-tile Width% and Height% sliders on the Null, so individual cells can be independently resized after export.
Preset library. Presets are organized into four categories. You can also save and recall your own custom layouts.
Gap and padding controls. Adjust spacing between cells and outer padding without rebuilding the layout.
Compatible with After Effects 2022 through 2026 on Windows and macOS, and works across all After Effects language versions.
Who It’s For
Motion designers building split-screen compositions, showreel grids, or photo collage layouts will get the most out of it. It also fits well for UI animators who need a repeatable, structured panel system without manually managing dozens of shape layers.
Pricing
Grid Composer is a one-time purchase, currently listed at $38 on aescripts.com with a free trial available. No subscription required.
