Good Parents is a free After Effects script that adds keyframe‑driven layer parenting, including support for 3D layers, and provides Get and Set functions. It works from CS5.5 through the 2025 release, but controls cannot be copied between layers.
Developed by Nik Ska.
About Good Parents
Good Parents is an After Effects script that enables keyframe control of layer parenting, extending that capability to 3D layers. The script includes Get and Set features added in later updates. Compatibility covers a wide range of After Effects versions, from CS5.5 up to the 2025 release, including CC and yearly builds. Version 1.4.4 was last updated in February 2023. Limitations include the inability to copy Good Parents controls from one layer to another, and the need to reset parent layers when copying layers with controls into another composition. Non‑uniform scale may behave incorrectly, which the developer attributes to an After Effects bug.
Features
- Keyframe control over layer parenting
- 3D layer support
- Get and Set features added in a later update
- Compatibility spanning After Effects CS5.5 through 2025
- Note: controls can’t be copied from one layer to another
- Note: copying layers with controls into another composition requires resetting the parent layers
Best for
After Effects artists who need to animate layer parenting with keyframes, especially when working with 3D layers.
Frequently asked questions
Does Good Parents work with After Effects 2025?
Yes. Good Parents lists compatibility from CS5.5 through the 2025 release, covering all intervening versions.
Does Good Parents support 3D layers?
Yes. Support for 3D layers was added in an early update, allowing keyframe‑driven parenting on 3D objects.
Can I copy Good Parents controls between layers or compositions?
No. Controls cannot be copied between layers. When copying layers with controls into another composition, you must reset the parent layers manually.
Is Good Parents free to use?
Yes. The catalog lists Good Parents as free, and no price is reported.
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