Free presets in Adobe After Effects can completely redefine your workflow. Whether you’re crafting kinetic typography, building cinematic transitions, or designing animated lower thirds, free AE presets help you create professional motion design—without spending endless hours on keyframes.
This guide shows you exactly what After Effects presets are, where to find the best free ones, how to install them, creative ways to use them, and pro tips to avoid common mistakes.
What Are Presets in After Effects?
An After Effects preset (.ffx) is a pre-configured combination of effects, keyframes, transforms, and expressions that can be instantly applied to any layer or composition.
They can include:
Best Sources to Download Free After Effects Presets (2025)
Curated list of reliable places to discover After Effects free presets, AE transitions, and text animation presets.
| Source |
Best For |
Link |
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Motion Array — Free AE Presets
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Curated text animations, transitions, lower thirds; quick pro looks |
motionarray.com … /after-effects/presets/free
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Motion Bro — Free Starter Pack
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Drag-and-drop transitions & effects via panel; fast workflows |
motionbro.net
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AEJuice — Free Starter Pack
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Liquid & shape elements, callouts, transitions (panel-based) |
aejuice.com/free-pack
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Mixkit — Free AE Presets
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Minimal, modern transitions & text animations; no signup |
mixkit.co/free-after-effects-presets
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Videvo — Free AE Presets
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Quick downloads of .ffx transitions, text bounces, reveals |
videvo.net … /after-effects-templates/presets/free
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RocketStock (by Shutterstock) — Free AE
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Cinematic HUD, glitch, light leaks, logo/title packs |
rocketstock.com/free-after-effects-templates
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Creative Dojo — Free Presets
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Tasteful camera shake, glow/grain; cinematic subtle FX |
creativedojo.net
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Aescripts + Aeplugins — Freebies
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Community rigs, expression-based presets & utilities |
aescripts.com/free
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Mister Horse — Animation Composer (Free)
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Panel with motion presets, transitions & SFX; fast setup |
misterhorse.com/animation-composer
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Cinecom — Free AE Packs
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Tutorial-backed packs (zoom/whip, glitch) + project files |
cinecom.net
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SonduckFilm — Free AE Presets
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Kinetic text, shape reveals, modern transitions with guides |
sonduckfilm.com
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PremiumBeat — Free AE Templates
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Editorial-quality titles, lower thirds, slides with tutorials |
premiumbeat.com/blog … /after-effects
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Ignite Motion — Free Motion Backgrounds
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Animated loops to pair with presets (intros/outros/overlays) |
ignitemotion.com
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Top Sources to Download Free After Effects Presets (Handpicked)
Here are the best trusted platforms to find high-quality, free AE presets, categorized by use case and quality level.
Top Sources to Download Free After Effects Presets
Une carte par ressource : transitions, animations de texte, effets stylisés, callouts & reveals — avec installation et cas d’usage.
🎛️
Motion Array — Free After Effects Presets
Transitions, titles, lower thirds prêts à l’emploi
Bibliothèque très soignée de presets .ffx, titres animés, lower thirds et transitions au rendu pro. Idéal pour des livrables rapides et une identité visuelle cohérente sur YouTube, social et pub.
- Inclus : Kinetic typography, glitch/zoom, social callouts
- Usages : Intros YouTube, reels, publicités, branding
- Installation : Copier les .ffx dans Documents ▸ Adobe ▸ After Effects ▸ Presets puis relancer AE
TextTransitionsLower ThirdsYouTube
✨
Motion Bro — Free Starter Pack
Extension avec transitions & effets en drag-and-drop
Panneau dédié dans AE pour appliquer instantanément glitch, spin, split, zoom et effets stylisés. Workflow ultra-rapide pour les non-animateurs.
- Inclus : Transitions, light leaks, distorsions
- Usages : Edits rythmés, trailers, gaming, social
- Installation : Installer l’extension, importer le pack gratuit, utiliser via le panneau Motion Bro
ExtensionTransitionsEffectsFast Workflow
📦
AEJuice — Free Starter Pack
Éléments animés, transitions, callouts & plus
Plugin avec une grande collection gratuite : liquid elements, shape transitions, callouts, accents. Parfait pour habiller rapidement des vidéos sociales et publicitaires.
- Inclus : Transitions, éléments graphiques, titrages
- Usages : Ads, contenu social, intros produits
- Installation : Installer AEJuice, télécharger le Starter Pack, glisser-déposer depuis le panneau
PluginElementsCalloutsSocial
🎬
Videvo — Free AE Presets
Téléchargements rapides, sans compte
Collection de presets .ffx simples et efficaces : slides, fades, zooms, text bounce, reveals. Idéal pour les besoins ponctuels.
- Inclus : Transitions & titres animés légers
- Usages : Intros YouTube, tutos, reels
- Installation : Animation ▸ Apply Animation Preset… puis sélectionner le .ffx
PresetsTransitionsTextQuick
🌀
Mixkit — Free After Effects Presets
Transitions & animations prêtes à l’emploi
Pack de transitions et text animations avec des looks modernes et minimalistes. Parfait pour des montages propres et rapides.
- Inclus : Slides, zooms, fades, reveals
- Usages : Corporate, social, e-learning
- Installation : Copier .ffx dans le dossier Presets utilisateur puis redémarrer AE
TransitionsTextCorporateMinimal
🚀
RocketStock (Shutterstock) — Free Packs
HUD, glitch & effets ciné haut de gamme
Packs gratuits orientés VFX : HUD futuristes, glitch, fuites de lumière et assets cinématographiques pour intros, trailers et gaming.
- Inclus : Presets/éléments HUD, distorsions, overlays
- Usages : Trailers, tech, gaming, pubs
- Installation : Placer les fichiers dans Presets ou importer via Apply Animation Preset…
HUDGlitchVFXTrailers
🖤
Creative Dojo — Free Presets
FX subtils, camera shake réaliste, grains
Presets orientés rendu cinématographique : camera shake crédible, glow/grain maîtrisés, textures fines. Parfait pour un look naturel et pro.
- Inclus : Camera shake, glow doux, noise contrôlé
- Usages : Narratif, pubs sobres, docs
- Installation : Copier les .ffx dans Presets utilisateur, redémarrer AE
CinematicCameraGlowGrain
🎨
Mister Horse — Animation Composer (Free)
Panneau AE avec packs gratuits de mouvements
Animation Composer ajoute des motion presets, transitions et sound design pour dynamiser vos animations en un clic, via une interface claire.
- Inclus : Transitions, shape behaviors, SFX
- Usages : Motion design, intros, social
- Installation : Installer le plugin, activer les packs gratuits, glisser depuis le panneau
PanelBehaviorsSFXMotion
🧪
Aescripts + Aeplugins — Freebies
Presets & outils orientés expressions
Référentiel de plugins et freebies (presets, rigs, helpers) créés par la communauté. Focus sur la souplesse et les expressions pour un contrôle fin.
- Inclus : Text rigs, utilities, transitions
- Usages : Projets complexes, modulaire
- Installation : Suivre chaque readme ; placer .ffx dans Presets ou installer scripts
ExpressionsRigsUtilitiesCommunity
🌐
Motion Café & Communautés
Threads, presets partagés, entraide FR
Forums & groupes où les motion designers partagent presets, scripts et workflows. Idéal pour découvrir des pépites et rester à jour.
- Inclus : Liens vers packs .ffx, rigs, expressions
- Usages : Veille, troubleshooting, découvertes
- Installation : Suivre les instructions de chaque créateur, organiser vos dossiers
CommunityOpen SourceRigsTrends
🎥
Cinecom — Free After Effects Packs
Transitions, presets & projets pédagogiques
Packs gratuits issus de tutos populaires : zoom/whip, glitch, split, plus des projets AE pour apprendre en pratiquant.
- Inclus : Presets + fichiers de projet
- Usages : YouTube, trailers, learning-by-doing
- Installation : Importer .ffx via Apply Animation Preset… ou ouvrir les .aep fournis
TutorialTransitionsProject FilesLearning
🦆
SonduckFilm — Free AE Presets
Text, transitions & effets via tutoriels
Presets gratuits accompagnés de tutos clairs : kinetic text, shape reveals, modern transitions pour accélérer tes edits.
- Inclus : Packs .ffx + vidéos explicatives
- Usages : Social, pubs, intros
- Installation : Copier .ffx dans Presets ou Apply Animation Preset…
TextTransitionsYouTubeTutorial
💠
PremiumBeat — Free AE Templates
Templates & presets de qualité édito
Sélection d’intros, lower thirds, slides et titres offerts, publiés avec articles détaillés et assets complémentaires.
- Inclus : Templates AE + médias
- Usages : Corporate, branding, contenus éditoriaux
- Installation : Ouvrir le projet .aep ou appliquer les .ffx fournis
TemplatesTitlesBrandingEditorial
🌈
Ignite Motion — Free Motion Backgrounds
Arrière-plans animés libres pour vos compos AE
Même si ce ne sont pas des presets .ffx, ces backgrounds animés se combinent parfaitement avec des presets de titre & transitions pour enrichir vos scènes.
- Inclus : Loops abstraits, tech, minimal
- Usages : Intros, outro, overlays de titres
- Installation : Importer les vidéos et les combiner à vos presets
BackgroundsLoopsOverlaysAssets
How to Install Free Presets in After Effects (Step-by-Step)
📍Unlike Premiere Pro or DaVinci, After Effects uses .ffx files. Here’s how to install them:
✅ Method 1: Install via Presets Folder (Manual)
- Download & unzip the preset pack (.ffx files).
- Go to:
Windows: Documents > Adobe > After Effects > Presets
macOS: Documents > Adobe > After Effects > Presets - Paste the
.ffx files. - Restart After Effects.
You’ll now find them under Effects & Presets > User Presets.
✅ Method 2: Import Directly on Layer
- Select your layer.
- Go to Animation > Apply Animation Preset
- Choose the
.ffx file from your folder.
Creative Ways to Use Free After Effects Presets
✨ Cinematic Storytelling — Apply camera shake & color stylization for a film-inspired mood.
⚡ High-Energy Edits — Use fast-paced glitch/zoom transitions for gaming or trailer content.
🎙️ Social Branding — Reuse logo reveal or lower third presets for consistent identity.
🎬 YouTube Content — Quickly create intros, outros, subscribe callouts.
📚 Explainers & Tutorials — Callout presets & HUD packs help visualize complex info.
Best Practices & Common Mistakes to Avoid
✅ Adjust keyframes to fit your timing
✅ Don’t stack too many heavy presets (lag issues)
✅ Customize colors & fonts for brand consistency
✅ Avoid overusing glitch effects (can feel cheap)
✅ Always save your modified version as a custom preset
Conclusion: Free AE Presets = Speed, Style & Creative Freedom
Free After Effects presets are like having a motion design assistant. They help you work faster, produce polished animations, and stay consistent—without mastering complex expressions or keyframing everything manually.
Whether you're editing YouTube videos, crafting cinematic intros, or building motion graphic templates for clients—presets give you a head start so you can focus on storytelling.
FAQ After Effects Presets
What is an After Effects preset?
An After Effects preset (.ffx) is a saved combination of effects, keyframes, transforms, and/or expressions that you can apply to any layer to instantly recreate an animation or look.
Where can I find high-quality free AE presets?
Trusted sources include Motion Array, Mixkit, Videvo, AEJuice (Free Starter Pack), Motion Bro (starter assets), Creative Dojo, Aescripts Freebies, Cinecom, SonduckFilm, PremiumBeat, and Ignite Motion (backgrounds to pair with presets).
How do I install a .ffx preset?
Download and unzip the file → copy the .ffx into Documents ▸ Adobe ▸ After Effects ▸ Presets (Win/macOS) → restart AE. Or, select a layer and use Animation ▸ Apply Animation Preset… to load the .ffx directly.
Do presets work in the After Effects free trial?
Yes. Presets work in both the trial and full versions of After Effects, as long as the preset doesn’t require a third-party plugin you don’t have.
Can I customize a preset after applying it?
Absolutely. You can change timing, easing, colors, fonts, expressions, and effect parameters. Most presets are starting points—tweak them to match your brand and footage.
Are LUTs the same as presets?
No. LUTs transform color values (grading), while AE presets automate animation/effects. They’re complementary: use a LUT for color and a preset for motion.
Do presets slow down performance?
Heavy stacks (glows, blurs, distortions, particle effects) and expression-heavy presets can reduce real-time playback. Use Region of Interest, Proxies, Draft 3D, and Cache/Pre-render to stay smooth.
What if I get an “expression error” after applying a preset?
Common causes: missing effects, version differences, or language mismatches. Open the Error details, relink/replace the missing effect, or switch the project’s Expression Engine (JavaScript) in Project Settings.
How do I save my own preset?
Select the properties/effects you want on a layer (Shift-click multiple) → Animation ▸ Save Animation Preset… → name it → it saves to your Presets folder as .ffx for reuse.
How do I organize lots of presets?
Create subfolders inside Presets (e.g., Text/Kinetic, Transitions/Glitch, Utility/Camera Shake). AE reflects this structure in the Effects & Presets panel, so you can keep things tidy.
Can I use free presets in commercial projects?
Often yes, but always check the license on the download page. Some “free” packs require attribution or restrict resale/redistribution.
Do I need third-party plugins?
Many free presets are 100% native. Some rely on bundled effects (e.g., CC suite) or paid plugins (e.g., Trapcode). If an effect is missing, AE will warn you—use an alternative or install the required plugin.
How do I make text presets match my brand?
After applying, replace fonts with your brand typefaces, adjust colors via Fill/Stroke/Effects, and update motion timing to match your editing pace (e.g., faster for shorts, slower for explainer videos).
What’s the best way to adapt a preset’s timing?
Open the layer’s keyframes, select them, and Alt/Option-drag the last keyframe to time-stretch. For many layers, use the Graph Editor and value/temporal interpolation for cleaner motion.
Can I convert a preset into a reusable template?
Yes. Save the preset, and/or wrap it into a .aep template with Essential Graphics controls (sliders, color pickers, text fields) for quick edits and team use.
Do presets work with Dynamic Link to Premiere Pro?
Yes. Animations created in AE (using presets) will carry over to Premiere Pro via Dynamic Link. For portability/performance, pre-render complex sections (with alpha) and drop the renders into Premiere.
How do I avoid the “cheap glitch” look?
Use glitch sparingly as a transition accent, shorten duration, reduce intensity, and mix with clean type/negative space. Consistency beats novelty—build a small, cohesive preset set for your brand.
What are good starter presets for beginners?
Kinetic type (bounce/fade), simple slide/zoom transitions, subtle camera shake, and clean lower-thirds. They cover most social edits, YouTube intros, ads, and explainers without overwhelming your timeline.
