Wayfinder is an After Effects plugin that lets you attach artwork to shape layers and keep it guided as the shape animates, supporting draw‑on, trail effects and complex motion paths.
Developed by Paul Conigliaro.
About Wayfinder
Wayfinder is an After Effects plugin from developer Paul Conigliaro that attaches and guides artwork along shape layers, including those with modifiers such as twist or zig‑zag. Users create or select a shape layer, specify attachment points or select existing layers, and click Attach Layers. The plugin generates helper layers to calculate points, which can be hidden via the Hide Calculation Layers option. The main shape receives a Wayfinder Leader control for trimming or offsetting, while each attached layer receives a Wayfinder Follower control for individual positioning along the path. The plugin is compatible with After Effects 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and CC versions back to CC 2014. Version 1.2.8 was released on December 20, 2024. A free trial download is provided, but licensing terms may change.
Features
- Create a draw-on or trail effect
- Set up several layers to follow each other along the same path
- Build complicated motion paths from shape modifiers like twist and zig-zag
- Animate and change the shape while attached layers stay guided along it
- Hide Calculation Layers option to shy the helper layers created to calculate points
- Wayfinder Leader control on the main shape for trimming or offsetting, with attached layers following
- Wayfinder Follower control for individually positioning along the shape and offsetting from it
Best for
After Effects artists who need to keep multiple layers attached to animated shape paths, such as for draw‑on or trail effects and complex motion paths built from shape modifiers.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wayfinder work with After Effects 2025?
Yes. Wayfinder is listed as compatible with After Effects 2025 as well as versions back to 2020 and CC 2014.
How do I attach layers along a shape with Wayfinder?
Create or select a shape layer with any desired modifiers, enter the number of attachment points or select existing layers in the order you want, then click Attach Layers. Optionally enable Hide Calculation Layers to conceal the helper layers.
What do the Wayfinder Leader and Follower controls do?
The Wayfinder Leader control on the main shape lets you trim or offset the path, affecting all followers. Each follower layer gets a Wayfinder Follower control for individual positioning and offset along the same shape.
Is Wayfinder free?
The catalog lists Wayfinder as free and notes a free trial is available, but licensing terms may change, so users should verify the current status on the developer’s page.
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