What It Does
Letterbox Plus generates letterboxes, frames, and guide layers directly inside After Effects. Instead of manually calculating mask sizes or hunting down template files, you run the script, pick a preset, and get a properly constructed letterbox layer ready to use or animate. It handles horizontal and vertical formats, rounded corner frames, and dual letterbox combinations in one operation.
Key Features
Preset system. Comes with 12 built-in presets covering common aspect ratios and frame styles. You can create and save your own presets, and they’re sharable with other team members.
Horizontal and vertical letterboxes. Covers both orientations, making it useful for mixed-format deliverables where you need safe-area indicators for different screens.
Rounded corner frames. Generates frame layers with rounded corners, which can save time on projects with a stylized or broadcast look.
Dual letterbox creation. Lets you place two letterboxes simultaneously, useful when you need to show both a 16:9 safe area and a 4:3 cutoff, for example.
Guide layer support. Letterbox layers can be set as locked guide layers with markers, so they stay out of the way during compositing without cluttering your timeline.
Expression-driven masks. Masks are linked to slider controls via expressions, meaning you can animate them by simply keyframing the sliders rather than manually adjusting mask paths frame by frame. This is the most practical feature for editors who need a letterbox to open or close during a sequence.
Who It’s For
Anyone who regularly delivers to broadcast, cinema, or social formats will find this useful. Colorists and editors doing final output prep, motion designers building title sequences with cinematic aspect ratios, and anyone who needs a quick safe-area guide without doing the math by hand.
Pricing
Letterbox Plus is a one-time purchase at $5.99 (promotional price valid until March 31, 2026). A free trial is available. Compatible with After Effects 2020 through 2026.