Move the .aex (Windows) or .plugin (Mac) file into your After Effects "Plug-ins" folder.
| Problem | Solution | |---------|----------| | | Validate src_world->data is not NULL; check rowbytes alignment | | Alpha channel corruption | Always copy alpha from source unless intentionally modifying | | Slow performance | Use SIMD, reduce branching inside inner loop | | Color shift | Respect pixel format (8/16/32-bit). Never assume 8-bit | | Memory leak | Free any allocated buffers in PF_Cmd_SEQUENCE_SETDOWN | Pixmap Plugin After Effects
| Feature | Native AE Import | Overlord | Pixmap | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Slow (Render Lag) | Fast | Fastest (Optimized Raster) | | Format | Shape Layer / Footage | Shape Layer | Raster / Shape Hybrid | | Editability | Difficult to update | Re-import required | Live Link / Easy Update | | Organization | Can be messy | Depends on AI file | Highly Organized | Move the
Pixmap plugins are excellent for transitioning from abstract data to concrete footage. You can use a map of pixels to display statistics—where each pixel represents a unit of data—and then transition those pixels into a video image. This is a common technique in tech documentaries and explainer videos. You can use a map of pixels to
Think of it as a "Texture Atlas" generator on steroids. It allows you to deconstruct a logo into an array of dots, turn a video into a point cloud, or create organic mosaic effects that react to the luminosity of your footage in real-time.