after-effects-mcp

Overview

The after-effects-mcp server provides comprehensive control over Adobe After Effects through the Model Context Protocol. It enables AI assistants to create compositions, manage various layer types (text, shapes, solids, cameras), set keyframes, apply expressions, and modify layer properties. The implementation uses ExtendScript to communicate with After Effects, bridging the gap between AI systems and professional video editing software. The server includes detailed documentation, multiple installation methods, and a wide range of tools for automating After Effects workflows.

Try asking AI

After installing, here are 5 things you can ask your AI assistant:

• create-composition

  Create a new composition with custom settings

  Try:Create a new composition named 'My Video' with 1920x1080 resolution at 30 fpsTry:Make a 10-second composition with black background at 60 fps
• setLayerKeyframe

  Add keyframe to a layer property

  Try:Add a keyframe to the position property of layer 'Text' at 2 secondsTry:Create a scale keyframe at the beginning of the composition
• setLayerExpression

  Add or remove expressions from layer properties

  Try:Apply an expression to the rotation property: wiggle(5, 20)Try:Remove expression from position property of layer 'Shape'
• setLayerProperties

  Set layer properties like position, scale, rotation, opacity, etc.

  Try:Set position of layer 'Main Title' to center screenTry:Change opacity of layer 'Background' to 50%
• batchSetLayerProperties

  Apply properties to multiple layers at once

  Try:Set opacity to 80% for all layers in compositionTry:Scale all selected layers by 120%
• getLayerInfo

  Get layer information including position and 3D status

  Try:Get details about layer 'Intro Text'Try:Show position of all layers in the composition
• createCamera

  Create a camera layer

  Try:Create a camera layer named 'Main Camera'Try:Add a camera with zoom at 200%
• createNullObject

  Create a null object for animation control

  Try:Create a null object named 'Controller'Try:Add a null object to control multiple layers
• duplicateLayer

  Duplicate a layer with optional rename

  Try:Duplicate layer 'Background' as 'Background Copy'Try:Make a copy of the current selection
• deleteLayer

  Delete a layer from composition

  Try:Delete layer 'Old Text'Try:Remove the selected layer
• setLayerMask

  Create or modify layer masks with feather, expansion, and opacity

  Try:Add an oval mask to layer 'Photo' with 20px featherTry:Modify existing mask to have 50% opacity
• run-script

  Run a JavaScript script inside After Effects

  Try:Run script: app.project.render()Try:Execute: alert('Hello from After Effects')

Comparable tools

Installation

git clone https://github.com/Dakkshin/after-effects-mcp.git
cd after-effects-mcp

npm install

npm run build

npm run install-bridge

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "AfterEffectsMCP": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["PATH/TO/after-effects-mcp/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

npm start

FAQ

What version of After Effects is required?

Adobe After Effects (2022 or later) is required.

What Node.js version is needed?

Node.js version 14 or later is required.

How do I add custom After Effects scripts?

You can use the 'run-script' tool to execute JavaScript code inside After Effects, allowing for custom automation beyond the built MCP tools.

On Hacker News

Recent discussion from the developer community.

• AfterEffects MCP Server▲ 1💬 1
  Story by Dakkshin · 2025-04-13

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