Shifter is a free plugin for After Effects and Premiere Pro that creates staircasing effects on clips, layers, or keyframes with customizable easing, orientation options (ascending, descending, random), live preview, and unlimited preset management.
Developed by Leyero.

About Shifter
Shifter, developed by Leyero, adds a staircasing technique to After Effects and Premiere Pro. In Premiere Pro it arranges clips in a stepped timeline; in After Effects it steps layers or keyframes. Users control timing via an easing graph, choose ascending, descending or random orientation, and set in/out points to define duration or intervals. A live preview updates instantly, items can be reordered, and presets can be saved, imported, and exported. Version 3 introduced offsetting of in/out points, a more responsive UI, enhanced graph visuals, Spell Book integration, and performance improvements.
Features
- Staircases clips in Premiere Pro, or layers and keyframes in After Effects
- Easing customization through an intuitive graph
- Orientation choice of ascending, descending or random
- In and out points that set the duration or interval for each item
- Live preview that reflects adjustments instantly
- Item reordering for quick organization
- Unlimited presets, with import and export in version 3
Best for
Creating staggered timing for clips, layers, or keyframes in motion‑graphics projects that require precise control over easing and orientation across both After Effects and Premiere Pro.
Frequently asked questions
Which After Effects and Premiere Pro versions does Shifter support?
Shifter runs in After Effects 2024, 2025, and 2026, and in Premiere Pro 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Is Shifter free to download?
The catalog lists Shifter as free; verify the current licensing on the developer’s page before downloading.
What changed in Shifter version 3?
Version 3 added offset control for in/out points, a more responsive UI, a clearer graph display, Spell Book integration, preset import/export, and overall performance improvements.
Can Shifter staircase keyframes as well as clips?
Yes. In Premiere Pro Shifter staircases clips, while in After Effects it can staircase both layers and individual keyframes.
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