After Effects based video generation API
Automate video creation from After Effects templates using data and Plainly’s simple video generation API.














Video generation API for After Effects users
Plug & Play API
From setup, to rendering and distribution, Plainly's API lets you run everything without touching the UI.
Native AE infrastructure
No compromises in quality or flexibility. Plainly's video generation API turns your After Effects projects into dynamic videos.
Enterprise-grade security
Protect sensitive data throughout your workflows. Plainly’s video generation API meets ISO 27001 and GDPR standards.
Video generation API in 3 steps

Create your template
Create and upload your After Effects template to Plainly.
Upload through Web App or API
Upload After Effects templates manually or automate the process with our API - whichever fits best with your setup.
Complete creative control
Make no creative compromises and use all of After Effects' features without worrying about compatibility.
No complex setup
Plainly uses your original After Effects file without extra configuration or format changes.

Parametrize your video
Mark elements like text, images, videos, animations, and audio that will change in each video based on your data.
Time-based rules
Set up logic that will move your layers, and adjust the final video duration in time based on input assets.
Access layer properties
Dynamically change layer properties such as font style, visibility, size, and more.
Automated setup
Plainly scans your project and generates the templates and parameters.



Link your data and generate videos
Feed data to Plainly's API and generate videos automatically.
Custom output formats
Different platforms have different requirements - export any kind of video format with custom encoding.
Cloud-based rendering
Render your videos securely, without compromising performance or quality.
Automate distribution
Automatically distribute videos using webhooks or native integrations.

Frequently asked questions
What is a video generation API?
A video generation API lets developers create videos automatically by combining templates with data or generating content from text or images using AI models. Many APIs focus on fully AI-generated videos, often creating new visuals each time.
Plainly’s video generation API takes a different approach by working directly with your After Effects templates, enabling you to produce large volumes of videos that keep the same style and design while changing specific elements like text or shots. This approach gives you full creative control, consistency, and scalability without losing your brand’s look.
How does Plainly's video generation API work?
You start by uploading your After Effects template to Plainly. Then you connect your data through the API. Plainly automatically generates videos by combining your template with the data, eliminating the need for manual editing or rendering while keeping your original design intact.
Do I need to know After Effects to use Plainly’s API?
No, developers can work with the API without touching After Effects. However, your video templates do need to be created in After Effects. Once the template is ready, everything else can be automated via API. You can also contact our team if you want us to create a template for you.
Who is the video generation API built for?
It’s built for developers, teams automating content production, and anyone needing to generate videos at scale with full creative control.
Can I integrate the Video generation API into my existing systems?
Yes. Plainly’s API is designed to plug into any workflow, CRM, CMS, or automation tool with full flexibility.
Does your API let me programmatically export videos to Google Drive or other storage services?
Yes. Plainly has native integrations with Google Drive, Dropbox, Frame.io, and AWS S3. You can also connect other tools using Zapier or webhooks. Once a video is rendered, it can be automatically sent to any of these destinations without manual steps.
Is there a free tier or a way to test the API before committing to a paid plan?
Yes. We offer a free trial with API access so you can test the workflow before upgrading. If you need more time or have a specific use case, we’re happy to help. Just reach out.
What others say about us
We have a great experience working with the team and Plainly. They weren’t shy to break the mold and go the extra mile. Personalization in today’s saturated digital landscape is paramount to cut through the noise and stick out; Plainly offers a great platform, product, and solution for this.

CMO, Y11 Sport & Media Holdings
Working with Plainly was great, their API is robust but simple to set up. After setting up the workflow, we literally forgot about it. The integration with After Effects allowed my team to work with tools they are familiar with and create high-quality video templates.

CTO, Tapni
Plainly allows you to produce large amounts of video content very quickly. A great advantage is that your content can be still very individual and on-brand due to the ability of using Templates made in Adobe After Effects. Its interface is quite intuitive and the software gets new interesting features often.

Motion Designer, Freelance