LongShadow is a GPU-accelerated After Effects plugin from BGRA Entertainment that provides full shadow control, including anti-aliasing, texture mapping, a Brute‑Force Directional mode, soft shadow options, and a separate Simple SoftShadow tool.
Developed by BGRA Entertainment.
About LongShadow
LongShadow is a GPU‑accelerated shadow plugin for Adobe After Effects developed by BGRA Entertainment. It offers detailed shadow control with anti‑aliasing, texture mapping via external 1D or 2D layers, a Brute‑Force Directional mode that retains a layer’s semi‑transparency, and soft‑shadow features plus a post‑smoothing algorithm. The package also includes a dedicated SoftShadow plugin for quick solid‑color soft shadows. Compatibility spans After Effects CS6 through the 2024 release, and a 2022 update added native Apple M1 support. Free example projects and a demo video are provided by the developer.
Features
- Shadow anti-aliasing
- Shadow texturing that controls colors and transparency using an external layer in 1D or 2D texture modes
- Brute-Force Directional shadow mode that preserves the original layer’s semi-transparency and anti-aliasing
- Soft Shadow feature
- Post-smoothing algorithm
- Dedicated SoftShadow plugin with simplified controls for a solid-color soft shadow
- GPU-accelerated processing
Best for
After Effects artists who need customizable, high‑quality shadows across a range of project types.
Frequently asked questions
Which After Effects versions does LongShadow support?
LongShadow supports After Effects CS6 and all subsequent releases up to the 2024 version, including CC, CC 2014, CC 2015, CC 2015.3, CC 2017, CC 2018, CC 2019, and the 2020‑2023 releases.
Does LongShadow support Apple M1 Macs?
Yes. A framework update released in 2022 added native Apple M1 (Apple silicon) support, allowing the plugin to run without translation layers on M1‑based Macs.
Is LongShadow free to download?
The catalog lists LongShadow as free, meaning you can download and install it without a purchase. Licensing terms may change, so consult the developer’s page for the latest details.
What is the SoftShadow plugin included with LongShadow?
The SoftShadow plugin is a lightweight companion tool that creates simple solid‑color shadows with soft edges. It provides simplified controls compared to the full LongShadow feature set, while the main plugin also includes its own soft‑shadow and post‑smoothing options.
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