What It Does
Smart Marker gives you precise control over markers in After Effects without switching to the Layer window or hunting through menus. Create markers on layers or comps, inherit labels from keyframes, snap your timeline to specific points, and move markers between layers and comps with modifier-key shortcuts.
Key Features
Create markers from keyframes. Select a layer with keyframes and click to generate markers at each keyframe position. The markers inherit the keyframe labels automatically. Shift-click to add duration, Alt-click to place a marker at the point of highest speed between keyframes (useful for motion-based timing).
Move markers between layers and comps. Click to transfer markers from the selected layer to the active comp, or vice versa. Shift-click keeps the original markers in place (copies instead of moves). Alt-click applies the layer or comp name as the marker label during the transfer.
Snap timeline to markers, keyframes, and points. Jump your playhead to the next or previous keyframe, marker, in/out point, or work area boundary. Shift-click limits snapping to the selected layer instead of the entire comp. Skips manually scrubbing when you need precision placement.
Delete markers fast. Click to remove markers near the current time. Shift-click deletes all markers on the selected layer. Alt-click clears all markers in the comp. No dialogs, just instant clearing.
Toggle between layer and comp markers. The main button switches between creating markers on the active comp (when ON) or on selected layers (when OFF). Lets you control where markers land without changing your selection.
Who It’s For
Useful for editors syncing animations to audio beats, animators marking pose breakdowns, or anyone managing complex timelines with multiple reference points. If you work with markers regularly, this removes the repetitive clicks.
Pricing
Smart Marker costs $10.40 as an upgrade price (visible when logged in if you own other grape design plugins). Standard pricing is around $29.00. One-time purchase with a license for one install plus an archival copy. No subscription. A free trial is available on the product page.