New In-Application Panel Automates Process of Uploading Clips, Downloading Annotations as New Shape Layers

Frame.io is cutting to the chase with VFX and motion graphics artists, bringing its real-time collaboration features to a new Adobe After Effects panel that adds Frame.io's review, commenting and annotating system to Adobe's compositing software.

The integration is similar to the Frame.io Premiere Pro panel that debuted at NAB earlier this year, which followed the integrated Final Cut Pro X workflow it introduced last year. It comes on the heels of Frame.io's integration with Slack this summer, which allows project activity to be directed into a designated Slack channel.

Queued After Effects compositions can be uploaded for review by specified collaborators with just two extra clicks. Comments and annotations show up on a timeline within the Frame.io panel, and can be imported directly to AE as live shape layers. As usual, collaborators can review clips on Frame.io's mobile or web platforms — leaving the After Effects interface to the VFX artists and animators.

Having trouble visualizing it? Frame.io's demo video shows how it all works:

When changes are made, the revised comp can be easily re-uploaded. Collaborators are notified that the new clip is ready for review, and it becomes part of a version stack organized inside Frame.io.

Like Frame.io's Final Cut Pro companion app and Premiere Pro extension, the After Effects integration is free to everyone with a Frame.io account. A free Frame.io account allows the software to be used on one project with a maximum of 2 GB of storage; paid plans range from $15/month for three projects, 10 collaborators and 10 GB of storage to $150/month for unlimited projects and collaborators, 15 team members, and 400 GB of storage. Beefier enterprise plans can be priced out on a case-by-case basis.