GridGuide is an After Effects plugin from mamoworld tools that provides automatic layouts, snappable guide grids, and modifiable shape‑layer guides for motion design, requiring Photoshop for older versions but using native scripting on newer After Effects releases.
Developed by mamoworld tools.
About GridGuide
GridGuide is an After Effects plugin developed by mamoworld tools to streamline grid and guide workflows in motion design. It generates automatic layouts, snappable guide grids, and shape‑layer guides, and includes a “Convert Grids to Guides” command that may take a few seconds to complete. For After Effects versions prior to CC 16.1, GridGuide launches Photoshop automatically if it is not already running; on CC 16.1 and later it uses newer scripting features to create guides without starting Photoshop, resulting in faster operation. The plugin is compatible with a wide range of After Effects releases, from CS4 through the 2026 version, covering all intermediate CC and CS releases. First released in 2017, the current version 1.1.009 (updated November 2025) fixed online activation connection issues and refreshed the license framework. GridGuide requires Photoshop to be installed on the system for older AE versions.
Features
- Automatic layouts for arranging elements
- Snappable guide grids
- Modifiable shape layer guides
- “Convert Grids to Guides” command, which may take a few seconds to take effect
- Requires Photoshop installed and launches it automatically if it isn’t already running
- Compatible with After Effects from CS4 through 2026
Best for
Motion designers who need precise grid and guide control in After Effects and have Photoshop installed for legacy versions.
Frequently asked questions
Does GridGuide require Photoshop to be installed?
Yes, GridGuide requires Photoshop to be installed for After Effects versions older than CC 16.1; on newer versions it can create guides using scripting without launching Photoshop.
Which After Effects versions does GridGuide support?
GridGuide supports After Effects from CS4 through the 2026 release, including all intermediate CS5, CS5.5, CS6, CC, and yearly CC versions from 2014 to 2025.
Is GridGuide free to use?
The catalog lists GridGuide as free, but licensing terms are determined by the developer and may change; check the mamoworld tools page for current details.
How long does “Convert Grids to Guides” take in GridGuide?
The “Convert Grids to Guides” command typically takes a few seconds to complete, especially in longer compositions, and may require a brief pause after execution.
Related plugins
Explore GridGuide
View download and installation options.