What It Does
Overlap was a GPU-accelerated plugin that automated follow-through animation. Set a keyframe on one driver layer, apply Overlap, and it generated offset animations across multiple driven layers or shapes. Think Cinema 4D’s MoGraph Cloner or an advanced shape layer Repeater, but for any property in After Effects.
The plugin worked on almost any animatable property, making it useful for character animation (arm swings, tail movement), kinetic typography, and motion graphics where elements cascade or echo a primary motion.
Note: This plugin has been discontinued and is no longer available for purchase.
Key Features
Auto-Orient. Automatically orient driver and driven layers or shapes based on their motion path.
Offset Control. Separate driven elements spatially from the driver while maintaining the animation relationship.
Factor by Index. Distribute property adjustments across driven layers, creating gradual variation from first to last element.
Maintain Original. Keep layers in their current position and add only the driver’s animation on top, rather than moving them to match the driver’s location.
Phase Shift. Loop the driver animation with offset timing on driven elements, useful for cyclic motion like walk cycles.
Index Control. Reorder which layer overlaps first without rearranging your timeline.
Randomize. Randomize the overlap sequence instead of following layer order.
Color Labels. Automatically color-code driver and driven layers for easy identification.
Who It’s For
Character animators could use Phase Shift for arm swings or secondary motion. Motion designers working with text or shape layer sequences benefited from the cascading animation without manually offsetting keyframes. Anyone duplicating layers and needing staggered timing saved time compared to expression-based or manual approaches.
Pricing
Overlap used a pay-what-you-want model during its availability. The suggested retail price was listed at $149.99 (often discounted to $112.50), but buyers could choose their own price. The plugin is now discontinued and cannot be purchased.
