What It Does
Penpal 2 brings dedicated vector editing tools to After Effects. Flip paths, break them into separate pieces, align points within shapes, snap to pixels, reverse path direction, or simplify overloaded paths. Over 40 functions that typically require a round trip to Illustrator now happen directly in your comp.
The interface follows After Effects conventions. Drag a marquee to select, click and drag points, hold Shift to constrain movement, Option-drag to smooth or break tangents. If you know how to edit paths in AE, you already know how to use this.
Key Features
Path manipulation. Flip paths horizontally or vertically, reverse their direction, or break a single path into multiple separate paths. Useful when prepping shapes for trim path animations or managing complex SVG imports.
Point editing. Align and distribute points within a shape layer, snap points to pixel boundaries for crisp renders, delete unwanted tangent handles, or simplify paths that imported with too many anchor points.
Local Space mode. See and edit paths in their original state, ignoring all the nested transforms that After Effects applies through parent groups and layers. Helps when you need to work on the actual geometry without fighting all the inherited rotation and scaling.
Visual canvas. Marquee-select multiple points, drag them around the comp window, all with the same direct manipulation you’d expect from a vector editor. Not a list of numbers, just shapes you can see and move.
Who It’s For
Motion designers who work with shape layers or imported SVGs. Animators building complex path animations. Anyone tired of bouncing between Illustrator and After Effects for basic vector cleanup.
Particularly helpful if you do isometric work, need precise alignment across multiple shape elements, or regularly simplify traced paths for animation.
Pricing
Penpal 2 is pay-what-you-want. The developer describes it as name-your-own-price, with a suggested price of $45. This is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. A trial version is available with feature limitations.
If you bought Penpal 1 after October 25, 2022, the upgrade is free. Earlier purchases can upgrade for $30.
