Master Path

A Blender-style path editor and animation panel for After Effects — one canvas to move, cut, slice, and write-on animate shape paths, with a full Reload → Edit → Apply workflow back into your comp.

Reload → Edit → Apply.

One canvas, always in Path, Point or Tangent mode. Apply is reference-aware — it tracks each path back to its AE layer by ID, so reordering layers never breaks it.

One canvas, every tool a keystroke away.

Path / Point / Tangent modes

Switch with keys 1/2/3. Each mode has its own alignment, distribution, join, simplify and tangent tools in a floating column (toggle with T).

Blender-style G / R / S

Move, rotate and scale around a 2D cursor. Lock axes with X/Y, type a precise value, snap in steps with Ctrl.

Slice, cut, patch, knife

Split or join shapes live on the canvas — every fragment stays a sibling path in the same layer, nothing spawns new shape layers.

Comp / Layer / Local

The same transform button gives a different result depending on which coordinate space is active — modeled on Penpal's Spaces.

One Setup menu, no clutter

Convert to Shape, AutoTrace, and split/merge layers live in one Setup menu. Select Path jumps your canvas selection back to the AE timeline, and the Motion tab folds open only when you're building an animation.

Write-on / trim animation

Pick a start (F) and end (L) point, click Create — a synced Trim Paths rig with tip-shaping controls, no mask or duplicate layer.

Hand-writing animation, on the original path.

Both sliders live on a single pseudo-effect named Master Path on the layer — one place to find and keyframe everything, including tip-shaping for the rounded cap that leads the animation.

Restore removes the setup and returns the path to its exact original state — no inserted vertices, no longer forced open. Only the currently selected letter/path is affected.

Fast, Blender-style keys.

Signed .zxp, one double-click.

1. Quit After Effects.
2. Install MasterPath_0.8.0.zxp with ZXP Installer or Anastasiy's Extension Manager (both free).
3. OS Trusted: false is normal — it's self-signed and both installers accept it.
4. Reopen After Effects, then go to Window → Extensions → Master Path.

Requirements: After Effects 2019 or newer (Host 16.0+, CSXS 9–12), Windows or macOS. No third-party AE plug-ins — only native Shape Layer properties and Slider Control effects.

Good to know.

It is a CEP panel for After Effects combining Blender-style path editing (move/rotate/scale, cut & slice, alignment) with a write-on/trim animation builder — all in one canvas, on native Shape Layer paths.

Edit paths like Blender, animate them like AE.

$5 one-time, for After Effects on Windows and macOS.

Frequently asked questions

What does Master Path do?

It is a CEP panel for After Effects combining Blender-style path editing (move/rotate/scale, cut & slice, alignment) with a write-on/trim animation builder — all in one canvas, on native Shape Layer paths.

Which After Effects versions and OS are supported?

After Effects 2019 or newer (Host 16.0+, CSXS 9–12), on Windows or macOS. It is a CEP extension, not UXP — AE does not yet support UXP panels for this kind of tool.

Do I need any AE plug-ins?

No. Master Path only uses native Shape Layer properties (Path, Trim Paths, Merge Paths) and Slider Control effects.

Can I try the tools without opening After Effects?

Almost every geometry operation — move/rotate/scale, align, distribute, mirror, join, simplify, the whole Tangent tab, building Extended paths — runs entirely in the panel. Only features touching an AE layer directly (Char Paths, Slice/Split on a layer, Write-on, Sequence, Null Control) need AE open.

What happens if I reorder layers between Reload and Apply?

Apply tracks each path by the AE layer's ID, not its index, so it still writes to the right place. It only breaks if you fully delete and recreate the layer — Reload again in that case.

How do I install it?

Double-click MasterPath_0.8.0.zxp with ZXP Installer or Anastasiy's Extension Manager (OS Trusted: false is expected — it's self-signed), restart After Effects, then open it from Window → Extensions → Master Path.