PathLink moves complex Illustrator designs into After Effects as editable shapes and can return them to Illustrator, preserving vectors, groups, masks, text, gradients, and certain effects.
Developed by Maher Wali.
About PathLink
PathLink transfers Illustrator vectors to After Effects as shapes without losing fidelity, keeping the paths editable for animation or refinement. The workflow operates bidirectionally, allowing designs to move from Illustrator to After Effects and back, with support for gradients, text-on-path, nested groups, clipping masks, Drop Shadow, Gaussian Blur, and Feather effects. Images without linked files are saved in an assets folder beside the After Effects project, and transferred layers start at the current time indicator. PathLink is compatible with After Effects 2026 and 2025 as well as Illustrator 2026 and 2025. Version 1.6.1 was released on April 6, 2026.
Features
- Converts Illustrator vectors into After Effects shapes without losing fidelity
- Transferred paths stay editable in After Effects for refining and animating without redrawing
- Bidirectional workflow: send paths from Illustrator to After Effects, or from After Effects back to Illustrator, with gradient and text support on the return
- Delivers selected Illustrator artwork into several open After Effects compositions
- Transferred layers start at the current time indicator position
- Preserves nested group structures and clipping masks with mask and content intact, plus Illustrator text-on-path support
- Transfers Drop Shadow, Gaussian Blur, and Feather effects, and sends images from Illustrator to After Effects (images without linked files are stored in an assets folder beside the After Effects project)
Best for
Artists and motion designers who need to animate Illustrator artwork in After Effects and later refine the vectors, text, or gradients back in Illustrator.
Frequently asked questions
Does PathLink work with After Effects 2026 and Illustrator 2026?
Yes. The listed compatibility includes After Effects 2026 and 2025 and Illustrator 2026 and 2025. Users of other releases should verify current support on the developer’s page before installing.
Can PathLink send designs from After Effects back to Illustrator?
PathLink supports bidirectional transfer. Designs can be sent from After Effects back to Illustrator, preserving gradients and text on return.
Do Illustrator paths stay editable after transferring to After Effects?
Illustrator vectors are converted into After Effects shapes that remain editable, allowing refinement and animation without redrawing.
How does PathLink handle images sent from Illustrator to After Effects?
When an image from Illustrator has no linked file, PathLink stores the image in an assets folder created alongside the After Effects project, ensuring the asset remains available.
Is PathLink free to use?
The catalog lists PathLink as free, but licensing terms may change. Users should check the developer’s page for the latest pricing information.
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