What It Does
Take This builds a version control system for layer transforms in After Effects. It stores snapshots of position, scale, rotation, anchor point, opacity, and expressions, letting you swap between different animation versions without duplicating layers or comps. Useful for client revisions, experimenting with variations, or keeping reference versions while you write complex expressions.
Key Features
Store and Reset. Saves your current transforms as a new take, then resets the layer to default values so you can start fresh. The saved take stays inactive until you switch to it.
Store and Continue. Saves a take and keeps it active, maintaining all your keyframes and data. Good for checkpointing work in progress.
Update Active Take. Overwrites the current take with your latest changes. Keeps your take list organized when you’re iterating on the same version.
Step Through Takes. Navigate stored takes with Previous/Next buttons. Select multiple layers and cycle through their versions together. If nothing’s active, Previous jumps to the last take, Next to the first.
Smart Storage. For standard layers, takes are stored as custom effects. For cameras and lights (which can’t hold effects), it creates a linked null layer to hold the data. Automatically tracks whether a layer is 3D or has separated dimensions.
Labeling and Management. Click a take name to rename it. Click the circle to activate, the trash icon to delete. The active take is highlighted in blue. A Clear All Takes button removes all stored versions from selected layers without touching your current transforms.
Who It’s For
Motion designers handling client revisions. Animators who want to compare different timing or easing approaches on the same layer. Anyone writing expressions who needs easy access to previous working versions. Also useful for auditioning camera moves or lighting setups without building separate comps.
Pricing
Pay-what-you-want pricing (suggested price is $39.99 for a single user license). A trial version is available. Requires After Effects CC 2015 or later, as it uses the HTML5 extension panel.
