Plugin Everything - Extrude For After Effects F... May 2026

In simple terms, Extrude is a plugin that converts any 2D shape layer, text layer, or mask path into a true, controllable 3D mesh directly inside After Effects. It does this using GPU acceleration, meaning it leverages your graphics card rather than your CPU, resulting in near-instant feedback.

Unlike other extrusion tools that open a separate window or require exporting to a different app, Extrude lives inside the AE effect stack. You apply it to a layer, and that layer becomes 3D.

Extrude doesn’t just copy and paste your layer backward to simulate depth. It generates a genuine mesh that interacts with After Effects' native 3D cameras and lights. The plugin calculates the "sides" of the text or shape, allowing you to apply separate colors or gradients to the front face, the sides, and the back. This allows for that classic "high-end broadcast" look instantly.

For text animators, Extrude is revolutionary. Native After Effects can extrude text, but it extrudes the entire word as one block.

Extrude allows per-character depth. You can set a text animator that makes the letter "E" extrude 50 pixels, while the letter "X" extrudes only 5 pixels. You can also control the "Leading Edge" (the front of the character) and "Trailing Edge" (the sides) separately. This allows for complex "pop-on" text reveals that look genuinely three-dimensional, not just flat cards rotating in space.

If you want, I can produce a shorter one-page summary, a timeline of specific release versions and dates, or a step-by-step tutorial showing exact AE settings and parameter recommendations. Which would you prefer? Plugin Everything - Extrude for After Effects F...

Plugin Everything is a high-performance tool for Adobe After Effects that streamlines the creation of 3D depth from 2D layers. It allows motion designers to transform live text, shape layers, and mask paths into complex extrusions without the performance overhead or feature limitations typically associated with the native Cinema 4D renderer. Core Functionality and Modes

The plugin provides three distinct extrusion types to suit different visual styles: Directional Extrusion

: Projects the depth in a specific 2D direction, ideal for "long shadow" or flat-design aesthetics. Vanishing Extrusion

: Converges the extrusion toward a single point, creating a classic perspective look. 3D Extrusion : Fully integrates with native After Effects cameras

, allowing the depth to react realistically as the camera moves through the scene. Key Features and Performance In simple terms, Extrude is a plugin that

Extrude is designed for modern workflows, emphasizing speed and visual fidelity through several advanced technical features: GPU Acceleration & MFR Support : The plugin is GPU accelerated and compatible with Multi-Frame Rendering (MFR)

, ensuring fast previews and final renders even on complex projects. Live Text Integration

: Unlike many scripts that require converting text to shapes, this plugin works with live text layers

. You can update the font, characters, or text animators in real-time, and the extrusion will automatically follow. Shading & Color Control : It includes a built-in gradient color wheel editor

, allowing for sophisticated solid or gradient shading to define the sides of the extrusion. Inner Extrusion Extrude by Plugin Everything is a native Adobe

: A unique feature that allows users to transition between a standard outer extrusion and an "inner" effect, adding internal depth to objects. Handling Complexity

: It features robust anti-aliasing and a "path-first" approach that handles intersecting or overlapping paths smoothly without visual artifacts. Workflow Advantages For most users, the primary draw of

is its ability to bypass the "C4D Renderer" in After Effects, which often disables essential features like blending modes, track mattes, and layer styles. Because this plugin operates as a standard effect, you can maintain your full AE toolkit while adding professional-grade 3D depth. You can find more information or purchase the tool on aescripts + aeplugins or directly from the Plugin Everything website on how to animate a text logo using its 3D camera mode Extrude Plugin for After Effects - Available Now

Extrude by Plugin Everything is a native Adobe After Effects plugin designed to create true 3D extrusions (bevels, depths, and geometry) directly within AE without requiring a separate 3D software renderer. Unlike After Effects’ native “Ray-traced 3D” (which is slow and limited) or “Cinema 4D Lite” (which requires learning a new interface), Extrude works within standard 2D layers, offering speed and intuitive controls for motion designers.