3 Features in After Effects 2025 You Don’t Want to Miss

Ivan Stankov

This article was written by Ivan, Creative Director at Plainly. He has over 6 years of experience in the video editing and motion design industry. Ivan is passionate about sharing his expertise with video editors, motion designers, and those aspiring to enter the field.

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The release of Adobe After Effects 2025 has got everyone talking, and for good reason! The latest updates pack in some incredible features, particularly for those who live and breathe 3D animation and video automation. While these advancements are exciting, they also raise questions about the software's priorities and its focus on core users' needs.

Here’s a breakdown of the top features that caught our attention - and some thoughts on what’s still missing.

A Fresh Look: The Updated User Interface

The first thing we noticed was the refreshed user interface. While the changes aren't groundbreaking, they offer a subtle yet meaningful improvement to the workflow.

For the first time since 1999, the light theme makes a comeback! Though we’re partial to the darker themes (now featuring "darkest," the deepest shade yet), having more options to suit individual preferences is a win.

What really stands out, though, are the updated buttons. Adobe has introduced hover states for buttons and checkboxes, making navigation more intuitive and visually appealing. On top of that, Windows users get an extra treat: a hardware-accelerated interface that’s up to four times faster. If you're on Team PC, you'll definitely notice the difference.

3D Gets a Major Boost

This update is a game-changer for 3D enthusiasts. After Effects now supports embedded 3D animations, letting you import and animate 3D models directly within the software. Say goodbye to relying on third-party plugins like Element 3D or jumping between Blender, Cinema 4D, and After Effects—it’s all in one place now.

Another standout feature is the 3D depth mapping controls, which allow you to isolate effects in 3D space. This opens up endless possibilities for realistic depth-of-field effects, artificial fog, and more.

Lighting and shadows have also seen a major upgrade. With Shadow Catchers and Environment Light, integrating 3D models into 2D scenes is smoother and more seamless than ever before. Plus, the new “declutter” feature for 3D model imports keeps your workspace organized by hiding unnecessary supporting files.

Per-Character Text Styling: A Dream for Designers

If you’re as obsessed with After Effects templates and expressions as we are, you’ll love the new per-character text styling. This feature lets you customize individual letters with different fonts, sizes, scaling, and other properties—all controllable through expressions.

For paragraph styling, Adobe has added options like justification, margin spacing, and even text direction. These updates bring a new level of creative freedom, and we can’t wait to explore the endless possibilities.

Where After Effects Shines—and Where It Falls Short

The 2025 update brings After Effects closer to the future, but it also highlights some lingering issues. Despite these shiny new features, core users have been vocal about the lack of essential 2D upgrades. Many still rely on third-party plugins to fill gaps in the software’s functionality—a frustrating reality for those who expect more from an industry leader.

After Effects has long been celebrated as the Swiss Army knife of motion design, excelling in 2D and 3D motion graphics, VFX, and compositing. But this versatility can sometimes be a double-edged sword. Competitors like Unreal Engine, Cavalry, and Blender are pushing boundaries with specialized tools, forcing users to question whether After Effects’ “jack-of-all-trades” approach is still the best.

The Bigger Picture: Is Adobe Losing Touch?

There’s no denying that After Effects is a powerhouse, but as competitors innovate and user frustrations mount, it’s worth asking: Has Adobe become too comfortable on its throne?

We’ve seen tools like Fable fall by the wayside, despite promising much for motion designers. Could After Effects face a similar fate if it doesn’t address its core users’ needs? Or is its versatility the secret to its longevity?

What Do You Think?

The updates in After Effects 2025 are impressive, particularly for 3D enthusiasts and text animation fans. But for many, these features may feel like icing on a cake that’s missing a solid base. Are these updates enough to keep After Effects ahead of the competition, or is Adobe losing sight of its core audience?