Adobe releases After Effects 25.1
Adobe has released After Effects 25.1, the latest version of the compositing software.
The update improves 3D workflows within After Effects, making it possible to control whether 3D layers accept lighting from a scene, and adding thumbnail previews for imported 3D models.
The versions of Cinema 4D Lite and Mocha AE included with After Effects have been updated.
New Accepts Lights setting for 3D layers
After Effects 25.1 continues Adobe’s ongoing overhaul of the software’s 3D toolset.
The most significant change is a new Accepts Lights setting for 3D layers, which can be toggled off to prevent the contents of the layer from being affected by light sources within the scene.
Layers without Affects Lights enabled also do not receive shadows or highlights from lights.
According to Adobe, the feature is particularly aimed at scenes that include self-illuminated 3D objects, like phones and monitor screens.
After Effects now displays thumbnail previews for imported 3D models.
Other workflow improvements
Workflow improvements include thumbnail previews of 3D models imported in GLB or OBJ format: the two 3D file formats currently supported in After Effects.
When working at 32-bpc (32-bits per channel) color depth, eight blend modes are now supported on the GPU on layers with motion blur applied.
There are also new scripting hooks for managing themes and fonts within projects.
Updates to Cinema 4D Lite and Mocha AE
In addition, Cinema 4D Lite, the cut-down version of the 3D software included with After Effects, has been updated to Cinema 4D 2025.
Mocha AE, the cut-down version of Mocha Pro, Boris FX’s planar tracking software, bundled with After Effects has also been updated, and now supports the OCIO color management standard.
Price and system requirements
After Effects 25.1 is available for Windows 10+ and macOS 12.0+ on a rental-only basis. Single-app After Effects subscriptions cost $34.49/month or $263.88/year.
In the online documentation, the update is also referred to as the December 2024 release or After Effects 2025.1.
Read more about the new features in After Effects 25.1 in the online release notes
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