Content
# After Effects MCP Server
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for Adobe After Effects that enables AI assistants and other applications to control After Effects through a standardized protocol.
## Table of Contents
- [Features](#features)
- [Core Composition Features](#core-composition-features)
- [Layer Management](#layer-management)
- [Animation Capabilities](#animation-capabilities)
- [Setup Instructions](#setup-instructions)
- [Prerequisites](#prerequisites)
- [Installation](#installation)
- [Running the Server](#running-the-server)
- [Usage Guide](#usage-guide)
- [Creating Compositions](#creating-compositions)
- [Working with Layers](#working-with-layers)
- [Animation](#animation)
- [Available MCP Tools](#available-mcp-tools)
- [For Developers](#for-developers)
- [Project Structure](#project-structure)
- [Building the Project](#building-the-project)
- [Contributing](#contributing)
- [License](#license)
## Features
### Core Composition Features
- **Create compositions** with custom settings (size, frame rate, duration, background color)
- **List all compositions** in a project
- **Get project information** such as frame rate, dimensions, and duration
### Layer Management
- **Create text layers** with customizable properties (font, size, color, position)
- **Create shape layers** (rectangle, ellipse, polygon, star) with colors and strokes
- **Create solid/adjustment layers** for backgrounds and effects
- **Modify layer properties** like position, scale, rotation, opacity, and timing
### Animation Capabilities
- **Set keyframes** for layer properties (Position, Scale, Rotation, Opacity, etc.)
- **Apply expressions** to layer properties for dynamic animations
## Setup Instructions
### Prerequisites
- Adobe After Effects (2022 or later)
- Node.js (v14 or later)
- npm or yarn package manager
### Installation
1. **Clone the repository**
```bash
git clone https://github.com/yourusername/after-effects-mcp.git
cd after-effects-mcp
```
2. **Install dependencies**
```bash
npm install
# or
yarn install
```
3. **Build the project**
```bash
npm run build
# or
yarn build
```
4. **Install the After Effects panel**
```bash
npm run install-bridge
# or
yarn install-bridge
```
This will copy the necessary scripts to your After Effects installation.
### Running the Server
1. **Start the MCP server**
```bash
npm start
# or
yarn start
```
2. **Open After Effects**
3. **Open the MCP Bridge Auto panel**
- In After Effects, go to Window > mcp-bridge-auto.jsx
- The panel will automatically check for commands every few seconds
- Make sure the "Auto-run commands" checkbox is enabled
## Usage Guide
Once you have the server running and the MCP Bridge panel open in After Effects, you can control After Effects through the MCP protocol. This allows AI assistants or custom applications to send commands to After Effects.
### Creating Compositions
You can create new compositions with custom settings:
- Name
- Width and height (in pixels)
- Frame rate
- Duration
- Background color
Example MCP tool usage (for developers):
```javascript
mcp_aftereffects_create_composition({
name: "My Composition",
width: 1920,
height: 1080,
frameRate: 30,
duration: 10
});
```
### Working with Layers
You can create and modify different types of layers:
**Text layers:**
- Set text content, font, size, and color
- Position text anywhere in the composition
- Adjust timing and opacity
**Shape layers:**
- Create rectangles, ellipses, polygons, and stars
- Set fill and stroke colors
- Customize size and position
**Solid layers:**
- Create background colors
- Make adjustment layers for effects
### Animation
You can animate layers with:
**Keyframes:**
- Set property values at specific times
- Create motion, scaling, rotation, and opacity changes
- Control the timing of animations
**Expressions:**
- Apply JavaScript expressions to properties
- Create dynamic, procedural animations
- Connect property values to each other
## Available MCP Tools
- `create-composition`: Create a new composition in After Effects
- `run-script`: Run predefined scripts in After Effects
- `get-results`: Get results from the last script execution
- `get-help`: Get help on using the After Effects MCP integration
- `setLayerKeyframe`: Set a keyframe for a layer property at a given time
- `setLayerExpression`: Set or remove an expression for a layer property
## For Developers
### Project Structure
- `src/index.ts`: MCP server implementation
- `src/scripts/mcp-bridge-auto.jsx`: Main After Effects panel script
- `install-bridge.js`: Script to install the panel in After Effects
### Building the Project
```bash
npm run build
# or
yarn build
```
### Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.
## License
This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.
