What It Does
Squash & Stretch applies classic cartoon animation principles to layers in After Effects without manual keyframing or complex rigging. It uses behavior presets and adjustable sliders to create editable squash-and-stretch effects via Bezier Warp, letting you control deformation intensity, motion timing, and rotation independently. Includes a library of behaviors and matching sound effects that apply automatically to selected layers.
Key Features
The interface centers on four main sliders: Oomph controls motion intensity, Squash/Stretch adjusts deformation amount, and Flip/Rotate handle orientation. Set squash-stretch to zero to get motion without distortion. The free version includes 40 behaviors and 135 sound effects. The Pro version unlocks 130 behaviors and 200+ sound effects, plus access to specialized add-on bundles (Glitch, Broadcast, Cartoon).
Built-in tools handle common tasks. Text Exploder breaks text into individual character layers. Precompose & Crop creates nested compositions with automatic trimming. Stagger Layers offsets layer timing in ascending order or randomly. Create Parent Null generates a null object controller for grouped animation. All behaviors create standard keyframes you can edit manually after application.
The behavior gallery previews animations before applying them. Click a behavior to automatically add it to the selected layer with appropriate timing. Sound effects sync to animation timing or work standalone. The toolbar provides quick access to layer adjustments and surrounding animation tweaks.
Who It’s For
Motion designers working on explainer videos, logo animations, or character animation will find the behavior library speeds up repetitive tasks. Useful for adding secondary motion to icons, text layers, or shape elements without building custom rigs. The sound effect library helps with animatic and previz work when client presentations need audio.
The free version works well for occasional use or learning the tool. Upgrade to Pro if you regularly need squash-and-stretch effects or want access to the full behavior library. The specialized bundles (each sold separately at $9.99 special price) target specific styles like glitch effects or broadcast graphics.
Pricing
The free version costs $0 and includes 40 behaviors with 135 sound effects. The Pro version costs $39.99 as a one-time purchase (no subscription) and includes all free features plus the full library of 130 behaviors and 200+ sound effects. Users who purchased Version 1 after July 1, 2025 get the V2 Pro upgrade free. Earlier V1 purchases get an automatic discount in cart ($39.99 upgrade price). Add-on bundles require Pro and cost $9.99 each at special pricing (Glitch Bundle is currently free). Compatible with After Effects 2015 through 2026.