Adobe releases After Effects 25.2
Adobe has released After Effects 25.2, the latest version of the compositing software for motion graphics, post-production and VFX work.
New features include the option to preview HDR projects, and High Performance Preview Playback, a rework of the caching system to make it possible to play back longer compositions.
The software’s 3D workspace has also been updated, with the option to import 3D assets in FBX format, and to use videos and animated compositions as sources for environment lights.
Reworked caching system makes it possible to preview longer projects
One of the most significant changes in After Effects 25.2 – albeit one that takes place under the hood – is High Performance Preview Playback.
Rolled out in beta in January, the rework of After Effects’ caching system enables the software to use the disk cache for rendered preview frames, rather than storing them solely in RAM.
The resulting increase in cache capacity should make it possible to preview longer projects without having to wait for frames to render, and to preview projects at higher resolutions.
The feature is activated by default, with After Effects automatically balancing between the disk cache and RAM.
Preview comps in HDR with support for two common HDR formats
The release also reflects the increasing availability of HDR displays, even in non-specialist laptops, making it possible to preview compositions in HDR.
Artists can now import HDR media, place it in a composition, and preview the result in HDR.
The beta build displays HDR video in a range of standard formats in HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) and PQ (Perceptual Quantizer) color spaces.
Users can preview HDR output on a local display, or an external display via Mercury Transmit.
The changes should make it more practical for editors and motion graphics artists to work on HDR projects within After Effects, although many artists still rely on Adobe Media Encoder to export HDR content, as discussed in this thread on Adobe’s Community site.
After Effects 25.2 features updates to 3D workflows, including support for the FBX file format, animated environment lights, and new commands in the Layer menu (shown above).
Support for FBX files and animated environment lights
The release also continues Adobe’s ongoing overhaul of 3D workflows in After Effects, finally adding support for the FBX file format.
Users can now import 3D assets into compositions in FBX format – one of the most common formats for stock assets – as well as OBJ and glTF/GLB files.
The update also makes it possible to use videos, animated compositions or other layers as Environment Lights, in addition to HDRIs in HDR and EXR format.
The change should result in more contextually accurate lighting for 3D assets, and should open up new workflows, particularly for motion graphics artists.
Workflow improvements include the option to set the compositing options for 3D models from the Properties Panel: for example, whether they cast or accept shadows, or accept lights.
The Properties Panel can also be used to access embedded animations in imported models.
In addition, there are three new commands in the Layer menu for common 3D operations, like controlling a light with a camera, applying 2D effects to 3D models, and creating an Environment Light background layer.
Other interface and workflow improvements
Smaller improvements include the option to change the color of panel backgrounds, and the color and size of the transparency grid.
There are also new commands for creating Nulls from Points.
Creating a null makes it possible to animate positional properties – like the gradient points of Shapes, effect points, and Puppet Pins – independently from their own layers.
Price and system requirements
After Effects 25.2 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 April 2025 release or After Effects 2025.2.
Read more about the new features in After Effects 25.2 in the online release notes
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.