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Tomy25058856hcw3
Participant
September 20, 2023
In Development

A Commander/FX Console feature

  • September 20, 2023
  • 5 replies
  • 803 views

Heyyy, I was wondering if it would be possible for AE to consider introducing a Commander feature. This feature could function like a command line, allowing users to easily access tools, effects, plugins, shapes, layer styles, scripts, and essentially everything in AE. It's similar to the convenience of Cmd + C in Cinema 4D (please take a look at the attached screenshot).

Currently, I'm using FX Console, which is helpful but it's got its limits. I've noticed the search tool under the Help window, which is great, but I was wondering if there could be a shortcut to streamline the process. This way, users wouldn't have to navigate the mouse, click on Help, and then return to the keyboard to type in the tools they need.

 

@dave jacobson has shared this idea & script before, and here is the discussion link: The Commander - A Universal Launcher Script - Adobe Community - 7476888 

    5 replies

    JohnColombo17100380
    Community Manager
    JohnColombo17100380Community Manager
    Community Manager
    March 12, 2026
    Open for Voting→In Development
    JohnColombo17100380
    Community Manager
    JohnColombo17100380Community Manager
    Community Manager
    March 12, 2026

    Hi all,

    Thank you for your requests for this functionality! After Effects (Beta) now features Quick Apply, which allows access to all menu commands, effects, and presets from a single search box brought up by a menu command. This allows access to effects, plug-ins, layer styles, scripts, and more. If you have a chance to try it out in Beta, we’d love your feedback: Introducing Quick Apply — Now in Public Beta.

    Cheers,

    - John, After Effects Engineering Team 

    J
    john.eloe
    Participant
    January 27, 2025

    That addon hasn't been updated in years. A simple command line style search feature using a key command is what AE needs

    J
    john.eloe
    Participant
    January 25, 2025

    Can we get something like FX Console in After Effects? 

      thepixelsmith
      Community Expert
      thepixelsmithCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      January 27, 2025

      You mean other than the FX Console addon?

      M
      mmm87980464
      Participant
      September 20, 2023

      i think there's room for improvement to speed work (i used this software decades ago, and now im testing it again)

      - it was cool if there was a shortcut to activate the effects menu and add one by typing its name.

      - masks still doesn't have a visibility (eye button) option

       

        mrjacobweber
        mrjacobweber
        Known Participant
        September 23, 2023

        You'll want to look into Video Copilot's "Effects Console." I'm not sure if it's updated with any frequency, but it is free, works as of this update, and is absolutely a necessity for applying effects quickly. All you have to do is hit CTRL/CMD + Spacebar, and it pulls up a searchbox.

         

        I think this should be built into After Effects at this point, as my Effects panel always takes a minute to load, myself.

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