OpenFishTools

OpenFishTools is a CEP (Common Extensibility Platform) extension panel for Adobe After Effects designed to streamline motion design workflows, animation controls, and project management.

Developed by cutefishaep.

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Features

Graph Editor & Easing

• Interactive bezier curve handle adjustments.
• Easing presets with instant application and auto-apply toggles.

AE to AM Converter

• Converts After Effects compositions into Alight Motion XML scenes.
• Recursive pre-composition embedding and keyframe data extraction.
• Optional expression baking and adjustment layer filtering options.

Auto Save System

• Automatic background project backup into designated storage folders (com.cutefish.tools/Auto Save).
• Non-disruptive background saving with timestamped file naming formats: ProjectName [HH.MM.SS] [DD-MM-YYYY].aep.

Layer & Transform Utilities

• Quick anchor point alignment grid.
• Smart auto-crop pre-compositions.
• Comp ratio and FPS format changers.
• Layer duplication, cropping, overlap, and screenshot tools.

Text Animator Presets

• Custom text animation presets and one-click animator clearing tools.

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Installation

Method 1: Automated Installer (Recommended)

Download the latest release from the GitHub Releases page:

• macOS: Run OpenFishTools.pkg and follow the setup wizard.
• Windows: Run OpenFishTools_Setup.exe and complete installation.

Note: Automated installers automatically configure PlayerDebugMode registry/plist settings required for CEP extensions.

Method 2: Manual Installation

1. Download or clone this repository.
2. Move the OpenFishTools directory into your system's CEP extensions folder:
   • macOS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/
   • Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions\
3. Enable PlayerDebugMode for unsigned extensions:
   • macOS: defaults write com.adobe.CSXS.12 PlayerDebugMode 1
   • Windows Registry: HKCU\Software\Adobe\CSXS.12 -> PlayerDebugMode = "1" (string).
4. Launch After Effects and navigate to Window > Extensions > Fish Tools.

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Prerequisites

Enable Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network under After Effects Preferences:

• After Effects: Preferences > Scripting & Expressions

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Building Installers

macOS Installer (.pkg)

Requirements: macOS with Xcode Command Line Tools (pkgbuild and productbuild).

cd Installer/Mac
chmod +x build_pkg.sh
./build_pkg.sh

Output binary: Installer/Mac/OpenFishTools.pkg

Windows Installer (.exe)

Requirements: Inno Setup 6.x.

Run the automated batch script:

cd Installer\Windows
build.bat

Or manually compile Installer\Windows\OpenFishTools_Setup.iss inside Inno Setup Compiler.

Output binary: Installer/Windows/OpenFishTools_Setup.exe

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

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Disclaimer

OpenFishTools is an independent extension. Adobe and After Effects are registered trademarks of Adobe Inc. OpenFishTools is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Adobe Inc.