skinAnchor is a free After Effects panel that lets animators reposition layer anchor points using nine preset locations. It includes shift‑click for moving layers without changing anchors and Alt‑click skin selection for customizable panel appearances.
Developed by PENCIL Park.
About skinAnchor
skinAnchor is a panel for After Effects that simplifies anchor point positioning through a click‑based interface. It supports nine anchor point positions – top, middle, bottom combined with left, center, right – allowing users to move an anchor point to the selected spot on a layer. Holding Shift while dragging adjusts the layer’s position without moving its anchor point, and holding Alt opens a skin selection menu where different visual skins can be chosen and applied after relaunching the panel. The plugin is compatible with After Effects 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020, and is offered at no cost. A demo video is available from the developer.
Features
- Covers nine anchor point positions: top, middle, or bottom, left to right
- Click a position on skinAnchor to move the anchor point to that location on your layer
- Hold Shift to adjust a layer’s position while keeping the anchor point stationary
- Hold Alt and click to open the skin selection menu
- Selectable skins to customise the panel’s appearance, from sleek to quirky
- Works across the timeline for anchor point adjustments
Best for
After Effects animators who need fast, precise anchor point adjustments and want a panel with customizable visual skins.
Frequently asked questions
Which After Effects versions does skinAnchor support?
skinAnchor works with After Effects versions 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020, as listed in its specifications.
How do I change the appearance of skinAnchor?
To change skinAnchor’s appearance, hold the Alt key and click the panel to open the skin selection menu, choose a desired skin, and relaunch the panel to apply it.
Can I move a layer without shifting its anchor point in skinAnchor?
Yes. Hold the Shift key while adjusting a layer’s position; this moves the layer without changing its anchor point.
Is skinAnchor free to use?
skinAnchor is listed as free; refer to the developer’s page for the exact licensing terms.
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