# Add-ons
# Styles
# Tapered stroke 2020
Ae CC2020.1 made a lot of dreams come true by introducing Tapered Strokes. This improved style runs faster and allows for higher contrast between thick and thin.
Included with v2.11. Lookup and download (opens new window) the update, then reset the script to install the update.
# The Steve Kirby pack
Many thanks to Steve (opens new window) for creating these super high quality styles and sharing with all the kind people on internet.
# Installing styles →
# Hose Maker
Kyle Martinez (opens new window) shares some really amazing tools (opens new window). Together with Hernan Torrisi (opens new window), they've put together a really good way to replicate the limbs of characters drawn in Illustrator. While it is not possible to convert a path into a hose, this does the next best thing. The script measures the path length, finds the controller positions and recolors the hose to match the art layer. This is a headless script to be used with a script launcher like KBar (opens new window).
Option: Hold ALT/Opt on the keyboard to reverse the controller order. Helpful if the art was drawn from the bottom up.
It may be necessary to reposition the controllers within the comp to correctly align with the art. This depends on how the art was set up, how it was imported into After Effects, and transforms that may have been done after importing.
Hose Maker cannot replicate outlined shapes or tapered strokes from Illustrator. It's pretty magical, but AE can only do so much.
# Usage
- Convert an Illustrator layer to Shape Layer
- Select the desired hose and new Shape Layer
- Run the script
- Reposition control points as needed
Install Script
CC2019+
In newer versions of After Effects, it is possible to install Hose Maker and other scripts without digging through your hard drive.
File > Scripts > Install Script File…
Restart Ae and Hose Maker will be available in the Window menu at the top of the screen. Scroll down to find the installed scripts.
CC2018 and older
- Unzip the Hose Maker.zip download
- Copy Hose Maker.jsx to the ScriptUI Panels folder
- Restart After Effects
- Hose Maker will be available in the Window menu at the top of the screen. Scroll down to find the installed scripts.
Install paths
- OSX:
/Applications/After Effects #version#/Scripts/ - Windows:
/Program Files/Adobe/Adobe After Effects #version#/Support Files/Scripts/