Installation Guide

Step by step instructions for installing software, plugins and extensions on Windows and macOS.

Windows

After Effects Installation (Windows)

  1. 1Download the After Effects installer from the Windows downloads page.
  2. 2Extract the archive using 7-Zip. Right click the file and select 7-Zip then Extract Here. Password: star
  3. 3Open the extracted folder and run Setup.exe as Administrator.
  4. 4Follow the installer prompts and wait for installation to complete.
  5. 5Do not open After Effects yet.
  6. 6Apply the included patch by running the patcher as Administrator.
  7. 7Launch After Effects. It should open without activation prompts.

Plugin Installation (Windows)

  1. 1Download and extract the plugin archive using 7-Zip with password: star
  2. 2Inside the extracted folder locate the plugin files (usually .aex files).
  3. 3Copy the plugin files to: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Common\Plug-ins\7.0\MediaCore\
  4. 4If there is an installer (.exe) run it as Administrator instead.
  5. 5Some plugins include a patch or activator. Run it after installation.
  6. 6Launch After Effects and look for the plugin under Effects.

Extension Installation (Windows)

  1. 1Download and extract the .zxp file.
  2. 2Install ZXP Installer from aescripts.com if you do not already have it.
  3. 3Open ZXP Installer and drag the .zxp file into the window.
  4. 4If CEP is not enabled close After Effects and run the provided CEP enabler file.
  5. 5Launch After Effects and find the extension under Window then Extensions.

DaVinci Resolve Studio Installation (Windows)

  1. 1Download the DaVinci Resolve Studio installer from the Windows downloads page.
  2. 2Extract using 7-Zip with password: star
  3. 3Run the installer and complete the installation.
  4. 4Do not launch DaVinci Resolve yet.
  5. 5Run the included patcher as Administrator.
  6. 6Launch DaVinci Resolve Studio.

macOS

After Effects Installation (macOS)

  1. 1Download the After Effects installer from the macOS downloads page.
  2. 2Extract using Keka. Drag the archive onto the Keka icon. Password: star
  3. 3Open the extracted DMG or PKG file.
  4. 4If macOS blocks it Right click and select Open then click Open Anyway.
  5. 5Complete the installation.
  6. 6Run the included patcher or use MacKed to activate.
  7. 7Launch After Effects.

Plugin Installation (macOS)

  1. 1Download and extract the plugin using Keka with password: star
  2. 2Locate the plugin bundle files (usually .plugin files).
  3. 3Copy them to: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Plug-ins/7.0/MediaCore/
  4. 4If macOS reports the plugin is damaged open Terminal and run: sudo xattr -rd com.apple.quarantine followed by a space and drag the plugin file in.
  5. 5Launch After Effects.

Extension Installation (macOS)

  1. 1Download and extract the .zxp file using Keka.
  2. 2Install ZXP Installer and open it.
  3. 3Drag the .zxp file into ZXP Installer.
  4. 4Enable CEP by opening Terminal and running the defaults write commands for each CSXS version (9 through 13).
  5. 5Launch After Effects and find the extension under Window then Extensions.