There are two main categories of scripts that can be utilized in After Effects: dockable and non-dockable.
- Non-dockable scripts are less common and can be placed anywhere on your computer. To run these scripts, you will need to go to the “File” menu, select “Scripts,” and then choose “Run Script File”.
- Dockable scripts, on the other hand, can be added to the interface of After Effects and must be placed in a specific folder in order for the program to recognize them.
For the purpose of this discussion, let’s consider an example script called “EXAMPLE_SCRIPT.jsxbin”. Most After Effects scripts are formatted using the .jsxbin file extension, but some may come in the .jsx format. The main difference between these two types is that .jsx files can be viewed and edited in a code editor, while .jsxbin files cannot be viewed and only contain a series of characters when opened in a code editor.
There are various methods for installing .jsxbin scripts in After Effects, depending on the version of the program you are using.
- If you are using After Effects CC 2019 or a newer version:
- Go to File > Scripts > Install ScriptUI Panel
- Locate the script file that you want to install and click “Select”
- If the installation is successful, you will receive a notification stating that the script has been copied to your preferences folder
- Restart After Effects for the changes to take effect
- Your script should appear at the bottom of the “Window” menu