Maxon releases motion graphics software Autograph for free
Maxon has made Autograph, the USD-based motion graphics, compositing and VFX software previously developed by Left Angle, available to download for free.
Autograph 2026.0, the first version of the software to be released by Maxon, is available free to individual artists, for use on commercial projects.
An alternative to After Effects for motion graphics and VFX work
On its release in 2023, Autograph was pitched as a next-gen, USD-based tool for motion design and visual effects.
It uses a layer-based compositing model, with its timeline featuring a standard layer stack and dope sheet, but combines it with a 3D mode for manipulating 3D assets.
Selling points include a native responsive design workflow, geared towards artists who need to deliver a project at multiple resolutions and aspect ratios from a single file.
However, despite its obvious potential as an alternative to After Effects for artists who dislike Adobe’s subscription-only licensing, it was not commercially successful.
Original developer Left Angle closed down in June last year, and its founders joined Maxon.
Autograph 2026.0: OpenFX support and native integration with Maxon Studio
Maxon has now put out Autograph 2026.0: its first release of the software.
It isn’t a feature-heavy update: the main changes are OpenFX support for third-party plugins, such as Maxon’s Red Giant tools, and native integration with Maxon Studio.
Some of the existing features have also been renamed: the Instancer is now the Cloner, to bring Autograph in line with Cinema 4D, Maxon’s own 3D animation and motion graphics software.
However, it makes Autograph publicly available again, for the first time in nine months.
Equally importantly, it makes the software – which cost $299 when Left Angle closed: the price was initially much higher – available to individual artists for free.
You can find more information in the online FAQs on Maxon’s product page.
There are no details on whether the software is being sold commercially to studios, but we’ve contacted Maxon for more information and will update if we hear back.
Price and system requirements
Autograph 2026.0 is compatible with Windows 10+, and macOS 15.0+. The Linux edition appears to have been discontinued. The software is free to individual artists.
Read a full list of new features in Autograph 2026.0 in the online release notes
Read more about Autograph’s feature set on Maxon’s website
Have your say on this story by following CG Channel on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). As well as being able to comment on stories, followers of our social media accounts can see videos we don’t post on the site itself, including making-ofs for the latest VFX movies, animations, games cinematics and motion graphics projects.