AEFocus is a standalone utility for After Effects that lets you hide all floating panels with a single hotkey and restore them later, freeing screen space especially on small displays.
Developed by Fan Creative, Inc..
About AEFocus
AEFocus, developed by Fan Creative, Inc., is a separate application that works with After Effects 2026. By pressing a configurable hotkey it hides all floating panels, providing a clean workspace for composition work, and another hotkey brings the panels back. The tool runs on both macOS and Windows; on macOS it requires the usual permission to control other applications. It maintains distinct hidden and restored states, and quitting AEFocus is independent of quitting After Effects. Version 1.0.0 was released on July 6, 2026 and is listed as free, though users should verify current licensing on the developer’s site. A warning is shown for panels that load slowly.
Features
- Hides all floating panels with a single key
- Restores hidden panels when you need them
- Controlled through hotkeys
- Runs as a separate application
- Available on both Mac and Windows
- Warning for panels that load slowly
Best for
Users of After Effects who need a clutter‑free workspace on small monitors or laptops, where hiding floating panels maximizes usable screen area.
Frequently asked questions
Does AEFocus work with After Effects 2026?
Yes. AEFocus is compatible with After Effects 2026 and functions as a separate application that hides and restores panels via hotkeys.
Does AEFocus run on both Mac and Windows?
Yes. AEFocus is available for both macOS and Windows. On macOS it requires permission to control other applications before it can hide panels.
Is AEFocus free to use?
AEFocus is listed as free, but users should check the developer’s page for the most current licensing terms.
How does AEFocus hide and restore panels?
AEFocus uses a configurable hotkey to hide all floating panels, tracking a hidden state, and another hotkey restores the panels to their previous layout.
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