What It Does
Stratify controls layer timing and organization in After Effects compositions. Offset layers by fixed intervals, spatial patterns based on comp position, or custom groupings by label color and parent chains. Toggle to Sortify mode to reorganize the layer stack by anchor point, position, opacity, in/out-point, or layer type.
Key Features
Offset modes. Ascend and Descend offset layers frame by frame from bottom to top or top to bottom. Hold Ctrl/Cmd to reverse direction. Hold Shift to step by 10 frames instead of one.
Spatial patterns. Fourteen position-based patterns let you stagger layers by their comp location. Right, Left, Up, Down, Inward/Outward X/Y, four diagonal directions, and Radial In/Out. Useful for animating grids, text arrays, or distributed elements where timing follows visual position.
Grouping modes. ALT-click to group layers before offsetting. Options include label color (contiguous colors only), parent chains, in-point, in-point + label color, reflect (center outward or edges inward), selection order, and user-specified count. Reflect mode staggers from the center of the stack ascending, or from outer edges toward center descending.
Inpoint staggering. New modes offset by in-point instead of layer order. In-Color keeps contiguous same-colored layers together as a single unit, changing spacing between color groups while preserving spacing within each group.
Copy/Paste offsets. Copy stagger timing from one group, paste to another. ALT + Copy inverts the source stagger. ALT + Paste inverts the timing when applying.
Sortify mode. Switch from offset to sort with one button. Organize layers by Anchor Point, Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity, In/Out-point, Selection Order, Label Color, or Layer Name. Multi-dimensional properties show X/Y/Z options. Random shuffles the stack. Sequence reverses it.
Sort by layer type. Move cameras, lights, adjustment layers, nulls, shapes, text, solids, track mattes, guide layers, or audio to the top or bottom of the comp. Unsupported types stay in the primary group. Sorts visible track mattes correctly without breaking matte functionality.
Sequence mode. Arrange layers in selection order. SHIFT + Sequence starts from the last selected layer instead of the first.
Random offset. Set min/max frame range. Force Range mode ensures unique offsets when the number of selected layers matches the available range (e.g., five layers with 1-5 frame range get distinct values). Now supports offsetting the entire layer, in-point only, or out-point only.
Who It’s For
Motion designers working with type animation, grid layouts, or large layer counts. Useful when you need precise control over staggered reveals, spatial timing patterns, or quick layer stack reorganization without manual dragging.
Pricing
Single payment: $19.99. Floating server licenses available at different pricing. Trial version available before purchase.