Get Alvar Suite
You get a starter set of tools and assets to work with for free, forever. Upgrade when you're ready to truly elevate your edits.
How to install
Picked from your computer. Switch it if you are installing somewhere else.
On a Mac
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Download the plugin
The button above saves one file, AlvarSuite.zxp (version 1.0.3, see what's new). Do not double-click it. Nothing will happen, and that is normal: this kind of file is opened by the installer in the next step, not by your Mac.
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Get the free installer
After Effects has no built-in way to install extensions, so everyone uses the free ZXP Installer. Press Download macOS on that page. You only ever do this once, and it works for any After Effects extension, from us or anyone else.
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Drag the file onto it
Open ZXP Installer, then drag AlvarSuite.zxp into its window. It tells you when it is done.
ZXP Installer may say "No application compatible with Alvar Suite was found on your computer. Do you still want to try to install this extension?" Choose to install anyway. The installer often misses After Effects even when it is there. As long as you have After Effects 2022 or newer, the install works.
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Restart After Effects
Quit it properly with Cmd + Q, then open it again. Closing the project window is not enough. After Effects only looks for new extensions when it starts.
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Turn on scripting access
After Effects keeps this switched off until you allow it. Open After Effects > Settings > Scripting & Expressions and tick Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network. Press OK. The plugin needs this to apply presets and run its tools. You only do this once.
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Open the plugin
Go to Window > Extensions > Alvar Suite. Drag the plugin wherever you want it and it stays there.
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Sign in
Type your email into the plugin. You get a six-digit code by email. Type it in and you are done. There is no password and no card, and if you have never used Alvar Suite before this creates your free account as you go.
Having trouble?
That warning is about the ZXP Installer, not about Alvar Suite. Try to open it and click Done. Then open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, and scroll down to Security. Click Open Anyway next to the installer, then open it again and choose Open.
On macOS 14 and older you can instead right-click the installer and choose Open, then choose Open again.
This could be due to After Effects still being open while you installed. Quit it fully with Cmd + Q and open it again, and you should see Alvar Suite under Extensions.
Alvar Suite should clear this by itself, but if you still see it, click Done. Never choose Move to Trash, because that deletes a file the plugin needs. Then quit After Effects fully and open it again.
If the warning comes back, open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, and scroll down to Security. Click Allow Anyway next to ffmpeg, then use the tool again and choose Open.
ffmpeg is the video tool built into the plugin. macOS marks every file that arrives inside a download, and that mark is what stops it starting. See Support if the warning keeps coming back.
Please reach out to support and give as much information as possible (e.g. After Effects version, Mac or Windows, etc).
This means the preset needs a plugin which you do not have installed. See required plugins and reach out to support if you need help.
On Windows
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Download the plugin
The button above saves one file, AlvarSuite.zxp (version 1.0.3, see what's new). Do not double-click it. Nothing will happen, and that is normal: this kind of file is opened by the installer in the next step, not by Windows.
-
Get the free installer
After Effects has no built-in way to install extensions, so everyone uses the free ZXP Installer. Press Download Windows on that page. You only ever do this once, and it works for any After Effects extension, from us or anyone else.
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Drag the file onto it
Open ZXP Installer, then drag AlvarSuite.zxp into its window. It tells you when it is done. If it says it could not write the files, close it, right-click it and choose Run as administrator, then drag the file again.
ZXP Installer may say "No application compatible with Alvar Suite was found on your computer. Do you still want to try to install this extension?" Choose to install anyway. The installer often misses After Effects even when it is there. As long as you have After Effects 2022 or newer, the install works.
-
Restart After Effects
Close it properly with File > Exit, then open it again. Closing the project window is not enough. After Effects only looks for new extensions when it starts.
-
Turn on scripting access
After Effects keeps this switched off until you allow it. Open Edit > Preferences > Scripting & Expressions and tick Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network. Press OK. The plugin needs this to apply presets and run its tools. You only do this once.
-
Open the plugin
Go to Window > Extensions > Alvar Suite. Drag the plugin wherever you want it and it stays there.
-
Sign in
Type your email into the plugin. You get a six-digit code by email. Type it in and you are done. There is no password and no card, and if you have never used Alvar Suite before this creates your free account as you go.
Having trouble?
That warning is about the ZXP Installer, not about Alvar Suite. Click More info, then Run anyway.
This could be due to After Effects still being open while you installed. Close it fully with File > Exit and open it again, and you should see Alvar Suite under Extensions.
Right-click the ZXP Installer, choose Run as administrator, and install again. The installer writes into a folder that Windows protects, so it needs this.
If it still will not work, check that you are online. The installer checks the file signature over the internet, and a firewall or a dropped connection makes that step fail. Then please reach out to support and give as much information as possible (e.g. After Effects version, Mac or Windows, etc).
This means the preset needs a plugin which you do not have installed. See required plugins and reach out to support if you need help.
Required plugins
Many presets, text styles and transitions need these plugins, but many also work without them. Install them to unlock the full potential of the plugin.
- SapphireBoris FX
- Continuum (BCC)Boris FX
- Deep GlowPlugin Everything
- Twixtor ProRE:Vision Effects
- GlitchifyCinema Spice
- Omino SuiteOmino
- Element 3DVideo Copilot
Unlock the full plugin
You get a starter set of tools and assets to work with for free, forever. Upgrade when you're ready for the full plugin, the AI tools, and everything we add later.
Get the Alvar Suite
Professional After Effects plugin, tools and resources designed to streamline your workflow and elevate your edits.