A Commander/FX Console feature

[Tomy25058856hcw3]

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 

[mmm87980464]

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]

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.

[Frank_B]

Yes, this should be a built-in feature.

[Snakedogman]

There are a LOT of things that should be built in features of After Effects by now but I'm confident most of them will never happen with the current state of Adobe and AE development. I'm sure we're gonna get a lot of "AI" features bolted on in the next couple of releases instead of fixing and enhancing basic usability which is in many areas incredibly outdated.

But yeah at least there's often 3rd party scripts and plugins to do what you want. FX console works well.

[john.eloe]

Can we get something like FX Console in After Effects? 

[thepixelsmith]

You mean other than the FX Console addon?

[OlaTan]

Agree. FX Console is indispensable. This type of feature should be native in 2025. It's such a no-brain workflow enhancer. Video Copilot, MVPs.

[john.eloe]

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