What It Does
Trim to Layer adjusts layer in and out points to match neighboring layers in your After Effects timeline. Select a layer, choose a trim mode, and the script aligns its duration precisely, no manual dragging of handles required. Particularly useful for track mattes, adjustment layers, glows, and effect layers that need to match the timing of a source layer exactly.
Key Features
Three trim modes. Trim to Above matches the selected layer’s duration to the layer directly above it. Trim to Below does the same for the layer underneath. Trim to Fit squeezes the layer to start where the layer above ends and stop where the layer below begins.
Dockable panel. Keeps the three modes accessible during an editing session without reopening the script each time.
KBar integration. Assign each trim mode to a button with specific arguments (“Above”, “Below”, “Fit”) for true one-click access.
Direct argument scripts. Rename the .jsxbin file with a suffix like -above, -below, or -fit and place it in your Scripts folder to create version-specific shortcuts that execute without a menu.
Who It’s For
Motion designers managing complex layer stacks with lots of track mattes and adjustment layers will save time here. The tedious part of this workflow is counting frames or manually dragging handles to match a source layer; this eliminates that entirely.
Works best when layers are already positioned roughly where they need to be. The script handles precise alignment, not initial placement.
Pricing
Pay-what-you-want, suggested minimum $4.99. One-time purchase, no subscription.