Synthetic After Effects MCP

A product by Synthetic — AI tools for motion designers.

Local MCP server for controlling Adobe After Effects from any MCP-compatible tool. 220+ tools. No external npm packages required — communicates via JSON-RPC over stdio, using AfterFX.exe and aerender.exe.

Get a license: https://synthetic.com.ar/pricing
Dashboard: https://synthetic.com.ar/dashboard
Docs: https://docs.synthetic.com.ar

Quick start

1. Register the server

Add to your MCP client config (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "after-effects": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["C:\\path\\to\\after-effects-mcp\\src\\server.mjs"]
    }
  }
}

2. Enable script file access in After Effects

Edit > Preferences > Scripting & Expressions > Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network

Without this, JSX cannot write the temporary result files the MCP uses.

3. Verify

node --check src\server.mjs
node scripts\inspect-tools.mjs

Requirements

• Node.js ≥ 18
• Adobe After Effects CS6 through 2026 (desktop app must be running for most tools)
• Windows (uses AfterFX.exe and aerender.exe)

Installation detection

The server auto-detects After Effects from these default install roots (CS6 through 2026):

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2026
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2025
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2024
...
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects CS6
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects (Beta)

To override, set environment variables before starting the MCP server:

$env:AE_AFTERFX_PATH = "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2025\Support Files\AfterFX.exe"
$env:AE_AERENDER_PATH = "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2025\Support Files\aerender.exe"

Tools (220)

Diagnostics

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | ae_info | Detect installed After Effects executables. | | ae_healthcheck | Validate binaries, temp write access, and aerender version. | | ae_dialogs | List or close visible After Effects modal dialogs (Windows UI Automation). | | get_recent_errors | Return the last tool error captured by the server. | | get_ae_version | Detect the running AE version, build number, and feature availability. |

Project management

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | project_info | Summary of the current project (items, comps, render queue). | | new_project | Create a new project, optionally save it. | | open_project | Open an .aep file. | | save_project | Save the current project in place. | | save_project_as | Save to an explicit path. | | close_project | Close with explicit save policy (save, do_not_save, prompt). | | set_project_color_settings | Set bits per channel (8/16/32) and working color space. | | purge_caches | Purge AE memory and/or disk image caches. | | get_project_settings | Read project-level settings: color depth, time display, audio sample rate, and expression engine. | | set_project_settings | Set project-level settings: color depth, time display, and expression engine. | | reduce_project | Remove unused footage items and comps (File > Reduce Project). | | consolidate_footage | Remove duplicate footage items (consolidate to a single instance). | | collect_files | Collect the project and all footage into a folder (File > Collect Files). | | undo | Undo the last operation in After Effects. | | redo | Redo the last undone operation. | | get_preferences | Read After Effects preferences (section + key). | | set_preference | Write an After Effects preference value (section + key). |

Project panel

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | list_project_items | List all items with metadata. | | find_project_items | Search by name, type, parent folder, or missing state. | | create_folder | Create a folder in the project panel. | | rename_item | Rename any item by id or name. | | move_items_to_folder | Move items into a folder. | | duplicate_item | Duplicate comps and footage items. | | delete_items | Delete items (requires confirm: true). | | set_item_label | Set the label color of a project item. | | set_item_comment | Set the comment string on a project item (footage, comp, or folder). |

Compositions

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | list_comps | List all compositions. | | create_comp | Create a composition. | | get_comp_info | Detailed comp settings, renderers, markers, and layer summaries. | | update_comp_settings | Change dimensions, duration, frame rate, background, work area. | | duplicate_comp | Duplicate a composition. | | delete_comp | Delete a composition. | | set_comp_renderer | Set the renderer (Classic 3D, CINEMA 4D, or GPU Accelerated). | | set_comp_bg_color | Set the background color of a composition. | | set_comp_work_area | Set the work area in/out points without recreating the comp. | | trim_comp_to_work_area | Trim a composition to its work area. | | list_comp_markers | List all markers on a composition. | | add_comp_marker | Add a marker to a composition timeline. | | remove_comp_marker | Remove a composition marker by index or time. | | update_comp_marker | Edit an existing composition marker (comment, duration, chapter, url). | | add_guide | Add a guide to a composition (horizontal or vertical). | | list_guides | List all guides in a composition. | | remove_guide | Remove a specific guide by its 0-based index. | | clear_guides | Remove all guides from a composition. |

Layers

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | list_layers | List layers in a composition. | | get_layer_info | Extended info: transforms, switches, blend mode, parent, in/out points. | | add_solid_layer | Add a solid layer. | | add_null_layer | Add a null object. | | add_camera_layer | Add a camera. | | add_light_layer | Add a light. | | add_adjustment_layer | Add an adjustment layer. | | add_text_layer | Add a text layer. | | add_shape_layer | Add a shape layer (rect, ellipse, polygon, star, path). | | add_footage_layer | Add imported footage as a layer. | | duplicate_layer | Duplicate a layer. | | delete_layers | Delete one or more layers. | | rename_layer | Rename a layer. | | reorder_layer | Move a layer to before/after/beginning/end/index. | | parent_layer | Set or clear a layer parent. | | clone_layer_to_comp | Copy a layer from a source comp into a different target comp. | | split_layer | Split a layer at a given time (like Ctrl+Shift+D). | | sequence_layers | Sequence layers in time so each starts after the previous ends (with optional overlap). | | set_layer_timing | Set start/in/out/stretch. | | set_layer_switches | enabled, shy, solo, locked, guide, 3D, motionBlur, adjustment. | | set_blending_mode | Set blending mode by name (NORMAL, ADD, SCREEN, MULTIPLY, …). | | get_layer_blend_mode | Return the current blending mode of a layer as a string. | | set_frame_blend_mode | Set frame blending mode (none, frame_mix, pixel_motion). | | set_track_matte | Set track matte type and mode on a layer. | | get_layer_track_matte | Read track matte type and mode from a layer. | | set_layer_label | Set the label color of a layer. | | precompose_layers | Precompose selected layers into a new composition. | | auto_orient_layer | Set auto-orientation mode (off, along path, camera, or characters). | | set_layer_quality | Set render quality (best, draft, or wireframe). | | set_layer_sampling | Set sampling quality (bilinear or bicubic). AE 2022+ only. | | set_layer_collapse | Enable/disable Collapse Transformations / Continuously Rasterize. | | set_environment_layer | Toggle the environment layer flag on a 3D layer. | | list_layer_markers | List all markers on a layer. | | add_layer_marker | Add a marker to a layer. | | remove_layer_marker | Remove a layer marker by index or time. | | update_layer_marker | Edit an existing layer marker (comment, duration, chapter, url). | | add_layer_style | Add a layer style (drop shadow, outer glow, bevel, stroke, etc.). | | set_layer_style_property | Set a property value inside a layer style (e.g. shadow distance, opacity, color). | | list_layer_styles | List all layer styles applied to a layer. | | enable_layer_style | Enable or disable a specific layer style. | | get_layer_audio | Read audio levels and mute state of a layer. | | set_layer_audio | Set audio levels and mute state of a layer. |

Transform & 3D

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | set_transform | Position, scale, rotation, opacity, anchor point. | | get_transform | Read current transform values at a given time. | | set_3d_transform | 3D position, orientation, X/Y/Z rotation, scale. | | set_camera_options | Zoom, depth of field, focus distance, aperture, blur level. | | set_camera_dof | Enable/disable depth-of-field and set focus distance, aperture, blur level. | | list_lights_cameras | List all camera and light layers in a comp with their settings. | | set_light_options | Intensity, color, cone angle/feather, shadow darkness/diffusion. | | set_material_options | Cast/accept shadows, accept lights, ambient, diffuse, specular. | | get_spatial_tangents | Get spatial bezier in/out tangent handles for all keys of a position property. | | set_spatial_tangents | Set spatial bezier in/out tangent handles for a specific keyframe. |

Text

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | set_text_layer | Change text content. | | set_text_style | Set font, size, color, tracking, leading, stroke, justification. | | set_text_style_range | Apply style to a specific character range (AE CC 2019+). | | get_text_document | Read full TextDocument details. | | set_text_box | Set box text dimensions and position, or convert point text to box text. | | set_text_justification | Set paragraph justification (left, center, right, full). | | add_text_animator | Add a text animator with a range selector to a text layer. | | list_text_animators | List all text animators on a text layer. | | set_text_selector | Configure the range selector on a text animator (start, end, offset). | | remove_text_animator | Remove a text animator by name or 1-based index. | | set_text_animator_property | Set the animated value on an existing text animator (color, tracking, scale, opacity, …). |

Shapes & masks

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | list_shape_groups | List shape groups inside a shape layer. | | add_shape_group | Add a new shape group (rect, ellipse, polygon, star, or path) to a shape layer. | | remove_shape_group | Remove a shape group by name or index. | | set_shape_fill | Set or add the first fill in a shape layer. | | set_shape_stroke | Set or add the first stroke in a shape layer. | | set_gradient_fill | Add or update a gradient fill on a shape group. | | set_trim_paths | Set Trim Paths (start, end, offset) on a shape group. | | set_repeater | Add or update a Repeater operator on a shape group (copies, offset, transform). | | set_merge_paths | Add or set a Merge Paths operator on a shape group. | | get_shape_vertices | Read vertices, inTangents, outTangents, and closed state of a shape path. | | set_shape_vertices | Set vertices, inTangents, outTangents and closed state of a shape path. | | add_shape_operator | Add trim_paths, repeater, merge_paths, offset_paths, or wiggle_paths. | | list_masks | List all masks on a layer. | | add_mask | Add a mask to a layer. | | set_mask_mode | Set mask mode (add, subtract, intersect, etc.). | | set_mask_feather_opacity_expansion | Set mask feather, opacity, and expansion. | | set_mask_path | Set mask shape vertices by index. | | add_mask_path_keyframe | Add a keyframe to a mask path property. | | delete_mask | Delete a mask by name or index. | | set_mask_name | Rename a mask on a layer. | | lock_mask | Lock or unlock a mask. |

Properties, keyframes & expressions

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | get_property_tree | Inspect a layer's full property tree. | | get_property_value | Read a property value by path. | | set_property_value | Set a property value by path. | | get_all_property_values | Read values of multiple properties in a single call. | | set_keyframes | Write multiple keyframes to a property. | | list_keyframes | List keyframes with time, value, and interpolation. | | remove_keyframes | Remove keyframes by index, time range, or all. | | set_keyframe_interpolation | Set temporal interpolation (linear, bezier, hold). | | set_keyframe_ease | Set ease speed/influence on keyframes. | | set_keyframe_hold | Convert keyframes to hold (step) interpolation. | | set_keyframe_roving | Enable or disable roving-through-space on spatial keyframes. | | copy_keyframes | Copy keyframes from one property to another, with optional time offset. | | reverse_keyframes | Reverse the temporal order of all keyframes on a property. | | batch_keyframe_offset | Shift all keyframes on specified layers by a time offset. | | set_expression | Set an expression on a property. | | get_expression | Read the expression string on a property. | | toggle_expression | Enable or disable an expression on a property. | | bake_expression | Sample and bake expression values to keyframes. | | get_expression_globals | Extract all expressions from all layers in a comp. | | list_expression_errors | List all layers and properties that have expression errors. | | enable_time_remap | Enable time remapping on a layer (with keyframes). | | link_property_expression | Link a layer property to another layer's property via expression. |

Effects

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | list_layer_effects | List effects on a layer. | | add_effect | Add an effect by match name. | | set_effect_property | Set an effect parameter. | | remove_effect | Remove an effect by name, match name, or index. | | reorder_effect | Move an effect up or down in the effect stack. | | enable_effect | Enable or disable (mute) an effect without removing it. | | copy_effect | Duplicate an effect on the same layer. | | copy_effect_to_layer | Copy an effect from a source layer to a destination layer, optionally in a different comp. | | batch_add_effect | Add the same effect to multiple layers in a single call. | | batch_apply_ffx | Apply an animation preset (.ffx file) to multiple layers. |

Footage & import

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | import_file | Import a file or image sequence. | | import_sequence | Import a numbered image sequence. | | import_folder | Import files from a folder with optional extension filter. | | import_placeholder | Create a placeholder footage item. | | import_solid | Create a native solid footage item. | | list_missing_footage | Report missing footage. | | relink_missing_footage | Relink missing footage by filename search. | | set_proxy | Set a proxy on a footage item. | | clear_proxy | Clear the proxy from a footage item. | | interpret_footage | Set alpha mode, conform frame rate, loop count. | | collect_asset_report | JSON report of assets, missing items, proxies, and comp usage. | | replace_footage | Replace a footage item's source file. | | batch_replace_footage | Replace multiple footage items by mapping filename patterns to new paths. | | set_alpha_mode | Set the alpha interpretation (ignore, straight, premultiplied). | | set_footage_fields | Set field order for interlaced footage. | | set_footage_color_profile | Assign a color profile / ICC profile to a footage item. | | set_footage_loop | Set how many times a footage item loops. | | set_footage_pixel_aspect | Override the pixel aspect ratio of a footage item. |

Render & output

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | add_to_render_queue | Add a composition to the render queue. | | add_comps_to_render_queue | Add multiple compositions to the render queue in a single call. | | list_render_queue | List render queue items. | | set_render_queue_output | Set output module template and/or path on a render queue item. | | set_render_settings | Set render settings (quality, resolution, frame blending, motion blur). | | set_output_module | Configure the output module (format, channels, depth, color). | | remove_render_queue_item | Remove an item from the render queue. | | clear_render_queue | Remove all items from the render queue. | | duplicate_render_item | Duplicate a render queue item. | | set_rq_item_enabled | Enable or disable (queue/dequeue) a render queue item. | | list_render_templates | List available render settings and output module templates. | | apply_render_template | Apply a named render settings and/or output module template to a queue item. | | list_output_modules | List the output modules configured on a render queue item. | | render_project_queue | Render the existing queue with aerender.exe. | | render_comp | Render a composition with aerender.exe. | | render_comp_range | Render a frame range with aerender.exe. | | validate_render_output | Check that a render file exists and has minimum size. | | export_frame | Export a single frame from a composition as PNG/JPEG/TIFF. | | get_render_status | Get the current status and progress of all items in the render queue. | | cancel_render | Stop/cancel any currently running render. |

Essential Graphics (MOGRT)

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | set_mogrt_name | Set a composition Motion Graphics Template name. | | set_mogrt_comment | Set the comment/description on the Essential Graphics template. | | set_mogrt_property_range | Set the min/max range (slider bounds) for a numeric MOGRT controller. | | list_mogrt_controllers | List Essential Graphics controllers. | | add_property_to_mogrt | Add a property to Essential Graphics. | | remove_property_from_mogrt | Remove a property from the Essential Graphics panel. | | rename_mogrt_controller | Rename a controller by index. | | set_mogrt_controller_value | Set the value of a property exposed in the Essential Graphics panel. | | export_mogrt | Export a composition as a MOGRT file. |

Batch operations

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | batch_replace_text | Find and replace text across all text layers in one or more comps. | | batch_rename_layers | Rename multiple layers using a pattern, find-and-replace, or numeric sequence. | | batch_set_expression | Set the same expression on a property across multiple layers. | | batch_set_layer_property | Set the same property value on multiple layers in a single call. | | batch_add_effect | Add the same effect to multiple layers in a single call. | | batch_apply_ffx | Apply an animation preset (.ffx) to multiple layers. | | batch_set_transform | Set transform properties across multiple layers, optionally filtered by name pattern. | | batch_replace_footage | Replace multiple footage items by mapping filename patterns to new paths. | | batch_keyframe_offset | Shift all keyframes on specified layers by a time offset. |

Utilities

| Tool | Description | |------|-------------| | run_jsx | Run raw ExtendScript/JSX in After Effects. | | run_jsx_json | Run JSX inside the shared JSON wrapper and return parsed JSON. |

Smoke tests

Run the full suite (After Effects cannot handle parallel script invocations, so run in series):

node scripts\smoke-suite.mjs

Individual test modules:

| Module | Coverage | |--------|----------| | smoke-core-tools.mjs | Diagnostics and project basics | | smoke-project-items.mjs | Project panel operations | | smoke-comp-layer-advanced.mjs | Compositions and layers | | smoke-property-keyframes-pro.mjs | Properties, keyframes, expressions | | smoke-shapes-masks.mjs | Shapes and masks | | smoke-effects-expressions.mjs | Effects and expressions | | smoke-footage-tools.mjs | Footage import and management | | smoke-media-render-queue.mjs | Render queue and output | | smoke-mogrt-tools.mjs | Essential Graphics |

Architecture notes

• run_jsx and most tools control the desktop app via AfterFX.exe -r script.jsx.
• render_comp and render_project_queue use aerender.exe — the most reliable path for headless rendering.
• The server serializes all JSX executions with a global lock — no concurrent script conflicts.
• All JSX is ES3/ES5-compatible (ExtendScript engine): no arrow functions, no template literals, no destructuring.
• If the dialog "A second script attempted to execute..." appears, the previous script is still running. The lock prevents this in normal use.
• To inspect or close AE dialogs without screenshots: ae_dialogs { mode: "list" } or { mode: "close" }.
• render_comp_range returns actualOutputPath because After Effects may change the file extension based on the active output module.

License

Proprietary / Commercial — all rights reserved. See LICENSE. Not for redistribution; use requires a valid license from https://synthetic.com.ar.