What It Does
Stacker positions selected layers along composition edges (top, bottom, left, right) with control over spacing, starting points, and alignment. Instead of manually repositioning layers one by one, it arranges them in a single click while maintaining precise pixel placement and scale relationships.
The script works in both horizontal and vertical orientations, adjusting its interface to match how you’re working. It handles common tasks like connecting layers to a parent controller, sorting composition names, and saving alignment settings for reuse across projects.
Key Features
Controller connection. Links all positioned layers to a parent null, letting you move the entire stack as a unit. You can set the null’s opacity independently.
Custom spacing and start points. Define exact pixel distances between layers and where the stack begins. Useful when building layouts that need to match specific guides or grids.
Keyframe support. When the Current Time Indicator matches an existing keyframe, Stacker adjusts that keyframe’s position value instead of creating a new one. Speeds up animation tweaks.
Composition sorting. Renumbers and organizes compositions in your project panel. If you have more than ten, it confirms before trimming extras.
Scale and anchor point handling. Accounts for layer scale when calculating positions. Ignores parent scale and rotation if needed, preventing inherited transforms from throwing off alignment.
Preset management. Save positioning rules, spacing values, and alignment settings to transfer between machines or After Effects versions. Settings auto-save within a single version.
Hotkeys. Navigate tabs with arrow keys. Set custom shortcuts for positioning actions to reduce clicks during repetitive tasks.
Who It’s For
Motion designers building title sequences or credit rolls with many text layers. Useful for assembling UI elements that need consistent edge alignment. Animators working with layered character rigs or infographic components benefit from the controller linking and spacing controls.
Pricing
Stacker uses a pay-what-you-want model. The developer suggests $9.99, but you choose the amount. A free trial is available (functionality not limited).
