In this guide, we’ll explore the best AI tools for After Effects, how they work, and how you can use them to take your video editing to the next level.
🎯 Why Use AI in After Effects?
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the video editing industry. Whether you’re a motion designer, VFX artist, or YouTuber, integrating AI tools in After Effects can:
✅ Save Time – AI automates repetitive tasks like rotoscoping, keying, and object removal.
✅ Enhance Creativity – AI-powered tools generate motion graphics, suggest effects, and optimize animations.
✅ Improve Precision – Machine learning algorithms refine tracking, masking, and color grading.
✅ Reduce Manual Effort – AI handles complex tasks like scene reconstruction and facial tracking with ease.
🔥 Best After Effects AI Tools
Here are the top After Effects AI tools that will redefine your editing workflow:
1️⃣ Adobe Sensei (Built-in AI in After Effects)
🔹 What It Does: Adobe Sensei is Adobe’s proprietary AI and machine learning technology, integrated directly into After Effects. It enhances workflows by automating motion tracking, rotoscoping, and content-aware fill.
🔹 Key Features:
✅ Roto Brush 2.0 – AI-powered automatic subject selection and background removal.
✅ Content-Aware Fill – Seamlessly removes objects from footage without frame-by-frame editing.
✅ Auto Reframe – Automatically adjusts aspect ratios for different platforms.
🔹 Best For: Motion designers, editors, and VFX artists looking for built-in AI-powered automation.
2️⃣ Runway ML
🔹 What It Does: Runway ML is an AI-powered video editing platform that integrates with After Effects. It enables advanced AI-based editing, including real-time object removal and style transfer.
🔹 Key Features:
✅ AI Object Removal – Remove unwanted objects with a single click.
✅ Style Transfer – Apply AI-generated artistic styles to video clips.
✅ Green Screen AI – Automatically remove backgrounds without a physical green screen.
🔹 Best For: Editors who want AI-powered tools without manual keying and masking.
3️⃣ EbSynth
🔹 What It Does: EbSynth uses AI to transform video frames into animated paintings or stylized motion graphics. It’s great for AI-assisted rotoscoping and frame-by-frame painting effects.
🔹 Key Features:
✅ Style Transfer for Animation – Convert video into hand-painted animation.
✅ AI-Based Frame Interpolation – Blend painted frames seamlessly.
✅ Creative Effects – Achieve a unique look with artistic AI-driven animations.
🔹 Best For: Artists who want AI-assisted animation and stylized visual effects.
4️⃣ DeepMotion Animate 3D
🔹 What It Does: DeepMotion Animate 3D uses AI to convert 2D video footage into 3D motion capture data. It helps with character animation without needing complex rigs.
🔹 Key Features:
✅ AI Motion Capture – Turn regular video into 3D animated motion.
✅ Full-Body Tracking – Capture realistic human movements.
✅ Compatible with After Effects – Export animation data to After Effects.
🔹 Best For: VFX artists and animators looking to create AI-powered motion capture effects.
5️⃣ Kaiber AI
🔹 What It Does: Kaiber AI allows users to create AI-generated motion graphics and animations based on text prompts. It helps automate the creation of complex animations.
🔹 Key Features:
✅ AI-Powered Motion Graphics – Generate animations from descriptions.
✅ Style Transfer & Visual Effects – Apply AI-generated artistic styles.
✅ Fast Prototyping – Quickly visualize creative ideas.
🔹 Best For: Creators who need AI-generated motion graphics in After Effects.
💡 How to Use AI Tools in After Effects
Wondering how to integrate these AI tools into After Effects? Follow these steps:
✅ Step 1: Identify Your Needs
Do you need faster rotoscoping, AI-generated animations, or motion tracking assistance? Choose the AI tool that fits your workflow.
✅ Step 2: Install and Integrate
Most AI tools offer plugins, standalone apps, or direct integration with After Effects. Install them via Adobe’s Extensions Manager or as third-party software.
✅ Step 3: Apply AI Enhancements
Use AI-powered tools to automate tasks like:
- Removing backgrounds (Runway ML, Roto Brush 2.0)
- Generating animations (Kaiber AI, EbSynth)
- Auto-keyframing and tracking (Adobe Sensei, DeepMotion)
✅ Step 4: Refine Manually
AI tools are powerful, but manual adjustments ensure a polished final result. Fine-tune the AI-generated effects to match your creative vision.