Premation
Premation is a free, open-source desktop motion-graphics editor designed as an After Effects alternative. It combines a familiar layer-based timeline with After Effects-style keyboard shortcuts and a graph editor, allowing users to create complex animations with ease. The application is GPU-accelerated and runs the same rendering engine in both the viewport and the exporter, ensuring WYSIWYG output. It supports a wide range of formats including SVG, Lottie, MP4/H.264, WebM/VP9 with alpha, MOV/ProRes 4444, PNG sequences, GIFs, and WAV audio, making it a versatile tool for motion design and video production. The editor includes six major areas of functionality: animation, 2.5D/3D space, type, rigging, vector, and particles. Users can work with flat layers in real 3D space using the classic 3D model with Z position, X/Y rotation, one- and two-node cameras with depth of field, lights that cast shadows, and bevelled extrusion for shapes and text. The timeline supports trimming, markers, and RAM caching for smooth playback. It also includes 36 of After Effects' 38 blend modes and 154 built-in effects, providing a powerful compositing environment. Premation introduces an AI assistant that writes keyframes, not video, by calling the same 61 tools available in the UI. This means everything generated is a normal layer that can be edited, re-eased, or undone. Users can bring their own API key, avoiding credits or subscription costs. The project is in public beta 0.4 for macOS and Windows, with source code available on GitHub. It is designed for users who want full control, local rendering, and a motion-graphics tool they truly own.
- Category
- AI Animation Generator
- Pricing
- Unknown
Problem solved
Premation solves the problem of expensive, subscription-based motion-graphics software by providing a free, open-source desktop editor that runs entirely on the GPU. It gives designers and animators professional-grade tools such as After Effects shortcuts, a graph editor, and 2.5D/3D compositing, while ensuring output matches the viewport exactly through a unified rendering engine.
Use cases
- Creating animated logos, title sequences, and lower-thirds for video production
- Designing motion graphics for social media, advertisements, and marketing campaigns
- Building 2.5D/3D scenes with cameras, lights, and depth of field for visual effects
- Animating vector graphics and SVG assets with precise keyframe control
- Rendering videos with alpha channels (WebM/VP9, ProRes 4444) for compositing in other tools
- Exporting animations to Lottie for web and mobile integration
- Using the AI assistant to quickly generate and modify keyframe animations based on natural language prompts
- Teaching motion design and animation with freely accessible software
Audience
- Designers
- Content Creators
- Hobbyists
- Developers
- Researchers
Pros
- Completely free and open source with no subscription or credits required
- After Effects-style shortcuts and layer model lower the learning curve for existing AE users
- GPU-accelerated rendering ensures quick previews and deterministic output
- Supports a broad range of import/export formats including SVG, Lottie, and ProRes
- Built-in AI assistant can generate keyframe animations using local tools
Cons
- Still in public beta, so stability and features are evolving
- Only available for macOS and Windows; no Linux version mentioned
- Smaller ecosystem and community compared to After Effects
- Limited documentation and learning resources initially
- Requires a dedicated GPU for optimal performance
Official website: https://premation.com/
Canonical LambdaBase page: https://www.lambdabase.com/tools/premation