Content
<p align="center">
<img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/After%20Effects-2024+-9999FF?style=for-the-badge&logo=adobe-after-effects&logoColor=white" alt="After Effects 2024+"/>
<img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/MCP-Protocol-00D4AA?style=for-the-badge" alt="MCP Protocol"/>
<img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Node.js-18+-339933?style=for-the-badge&logo=node.js&logoColor=white" alt="Node.js 18+"/>
<img src="https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-blue?style=for-the-badge" alt="MIT License"/>
</p>
<h1 align="center">AE-MCP</h1>
<p align="center"><strong>After Effects Model Context Protocol Server</strong></p>
<p align="center">Automate Adobe After Effects with AI through 70+ MCP tools</p>
---
## Overview
AE-MCP is a comprehensive MCP server that enables AI assistants like Claude to directly control Adobe After Effects. It provides **70+ tools** covering the full motion graphics workflow — from creating compositions to applying professional effects and expressions.
### Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **70+ Tools** | Complete After Effects automation |
| **Animation Presets** | Spring physics, bounce, elastic, slide, fade |
| **Expression Library** | 20+ pre-built expressions (wiggle, loop, physics) |
| **Effect Templates** | One-click professional looks (cinematic, VHS, neon) |
| **Motion Graphics** | Lower thirds, title cards, transitions, logo reveals |
| **Reliable Architecture** | File-based communication for stability |
---
## Requirements
- **Adobe After Effects 2024** or later
- **Node.js 18+**
- **macOS** or **Windows**
---
## Installation
### Step 1: Install the MCP Server
```bash
git clone https://github.com/anthropics/ae-mcp.git
cd ae-mcp
npm install
npm run build
```
### Step 2: Install the CEP Extension
**macOS:**
```bash
./scripts/install-cep.sh
```
**Windows:**
```batch
scripts\install-cep.bat
```
### Step 3: Configure Your AI Assistant
<details>
<summary><strong>Claude Desktop</strong></summary>
Add to your config file:
- **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ae-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/ae-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
```
</details>
<details>
<summary><strong>Claude Code (CLI)</strong></summary>
Add to your MCP settings (`~/.claude/settings.json`):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ae-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/ae-mcp/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
```
**Bonus:** This repo includes a **Claude Code Skill** for enhanced After Effects automation. Copy the skill files to your Claude Code skills directory:
```bash
cp -r SKILL/* ~/.claude/skills/
```
The Claude Code skill provides specialized knowledge about After Effects workflows, property formats, and best practices. See [`SKILL/SKILL.md`](SKILL/SKILL.md) for details.
</details>
### Step 4: Launch After Effects
1. Start **After Effects 2024+**
2. Open **Window > Extensions > AE-MCP**
3. The panel will auto-start and begin listening for commands
---
## Tool Categories
### Project & Composition
`create_project` · `open_project` · `save_project` · `close_project` · `get_project_info` · `import_footage` · `create_composition` · `modify_composition` · `duplicate_composition` · `delete_composition` · `list_compositions` · `get_composition_info`
### Layer Creation
`add_solid_layer` · `add_text_layer` · `add_text_layer_advanced` · `add_shape_layer` · `add_null_layer` · `add_adjustment_layer` · `add_camera_layer` · `add_light_layer` · `add_av_layer` · `precompose_layers` · `modify_layer` · `delete_layer`
### Animation & Keyframing
`set_keyframe` · `set_keyframe_advanced` · `apply_easy_ease` · `set_temporal_ease` · `offset_keyframes` · `scale_keyframe_timing` · `reverse_keyframes` · `copy_keyframes` · `get_keyframes`
### Expressions
`set_expression` · `get_expression` · `remove_expression` · `enable_expression` · `add_expression_control` · `apply_expression_template` · `link_properties`
### Effects
`apply_effect` · `apply_effect_template` · `modify_effect_properties` · `remove_effect` · `reorder_effects` · `copy_effects` · `list_effects`
### Motion Graphics Templates
| Tool | Styles |
|------|--------|
| `create_lower_third` | modern, corporate, news, minimal, social |
| `create_title_card` | cinematic, documentary, social, minimal |
| `create_transition` | wipe, dissolve, push, slide, zoom |
| `create_logo_reveal` | fade, scale, slide, spin, glitch, particle |
| `create_text_animator` | typewriter, fadeIn, scaleIn, slideIn, randomize, wave |
### Asset Management
`import_folder` · `replace_footage` · `organize_project_items` · `find_missing_footage` · `collect_files` · `reduce_project`
### Markers & Timeline
`add_composition_marker` · `add_layer_marker` · `get_markers` · `delete_marker` · `set_work_area`
---
## Quick Examples
### Create an animated intro
```
Create a 1920x1080 composition called "Intro" at 30fps, 5 seconds.
Add a text layer saying "Welcome" centered on screen.
Apply a slideInUp animation with easy ease.
Add a subtle glow effect.
```
### Build a lower third
```
Create a modern lower third:
- Name: "Sarah Chen"
- Title: "Lead Designer"
- Blue primary color
- Animate in and out
- 5 second duration
```
### Add physics-based motion
```
Add a bounce expression to the position of "Logo" layer.
Set amplitude to 0.15, frequency to 4, decay to 6.
```
---
## Animation Presets
### Spring Physics (Remotion-inspired)
| Preset | Description |
|--------|-------------|
| `gentle` | Subtle, smooth animations |
| `default` | Balanced spring motion |
| `wobbly` | Playful, bouncy animations |
| `stiff` | Quick, responsive animations |
| `slow` | Heavy, deliberate motion |
| `bouncy` | High energy bounces |
| `snappy` | Instant, responsive feel |
### Motion Presets
**Fade:** `fadeIn` · `fadeOut`
**Slide:** `slideInLeft` · `slideInRight` · `slideInUp` · `slideInDown` · `slideOutLeft` · `slideOutRight` · `slideOutUp` · `slideOutDown`
**Scale:** `scaleIn` · `scaleOut` · `scaleInBounce`
**Physics:** `bounce` · `elastic` · `overshoot`
**Rotate:** `spinIn` · `spinOut`
---
## Expression Templates
| Category | Templates |
|----------|-----------|
| **Wiggle** | `wiggle` · `wiggleSmooth` · `wiggleFadeIn` · `wiggleFadeOut` |
| **Loop** | `loopCycle` · `loopPingpong` · `loopOffset` · `loopContinue` |
| **Physics** | `bounce` · `inertia` · `springy` · `overshoot` |
| **Linking** | `matchPosition` · `offsetPosition` · `followWithDelay` · `inverseRotation` |
| **Time** | `time` · `clock` · `countdown` · `frameNumber` |
---
## Effect Templates
| Category | Effects |
|----------|---------|
| **Blur** | `gaussianBlur` · `directionalBlur` · `glassBlur` |
| **Color** | `curves` · `colorBalance` · `brightnessContrast` · `vibrance` |
| **Stylistic** | `glow` · `dropShadow` · `vignette` |
| **Creative** | `cinematicLook` · `vhsRetro` · `neonGlow` · `filmGrain` · `chromaticAberration` · `duotone` |
---
## Architecture
```
ae-mcp/
├── src/ # TypeScript source
│ ├── index.ts # Entry point
│ ├── stdio-server.ts # MCP server (70+ tools)
│ ├── ae-integration/
│ │ ├── file-communicator.ts # File-based IPC
│ │ └── generators/ # ES3 script generators
│ └── presets/ # Animation, expression, effect presets
├── cep-extension/ # After Effects extension
│ ├── CSXS/manifest.xml
│ ├── jsx/host.jsx # ExtendScript host
│ └── js/main.js # Panel JavaScript
├── SKILL/ # Claude Code skill
│ ├── SKILL.md # Skill definition
│ └── examples.md # Animation examples
└── scripts/ # Installation scripts
```
### Communication Flow
```
AI Assistant (Claude)
↓
MCP Server (Node.js)
↓ Write JSON command
~/Documents/ae-mcp-commands/
↓ Poll every 100ms
CEP Extension
↓ Execute script
After Effects DOM
↓ Write response
*.json.response
```
---
## Troubleshooting
<details>
<summary><strong>Extension not appearing in After Effects</strong></summary>
1. Verify debug mode is enabled (the install script does this automatically)
2. Restart After Effects completely
3. Check extension location:
- **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/ae-mcp`
- **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Adobe\CEP\extensions\ae-mcp`
</details>
<details>
<summary><strong>Commands timing out</strong></summary>
1. Ensure the AE-MCP panel is **visible** in After Effects
2. Check `~/Documents/ae-mcp-commands/` for command files
3. Look at the panel's log for errors
</details>
<details>
<summary><strong>Script errors</strong></summary>
1. Open the ExtendScript Toolkit or console in After Effects
2. Verify composition/layer references exist
3. Check for ES3 compatibility issues (no arrow functions, template literals, etc.)
</details>
---
## Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please read our contributing guidelines before submitting PRs.
## License
MIT
---
<p align="center">
<sub>Built for motion designers who want to work faster with AI</sub>
</p>
