Mask & Layer Splitter

Easy Installation (Recommended)

The easiest way is the aescripts + aeplugins manager app.

1. Download and install the manager from aescripts.com
2. Log in with your aescripts account
3. Find Mask & Layer Splitter in your product list and click Install
4. Open After Effects and go to Window > Extensions > Mask & Layer Splitter

Manual Installation

Mask & Layer Splitter is a ScriptUI Panel. Copy the .jsx file to the ScriptUI Panels folder:

Restart After Effects, then open it from Window > Mask & Layer Splitter.

When you first open the panel, a license prompt will appear.

1. Find your license key in your aescripts purchase confirmation email
2. Paste the key into the activation field and confirm
3. An internet connection is required during activation

Free Trial

Download the trial version directly from the product page on aescripts.com. The trial is fully functional for a limited number of uses.

Retrieve your license key

Log in to aescripts.com, go to My Downloads, and find the key next to the product. You can also use the aescripts manager app to re-activate.

Separator splits every mask on a selected layer into its own individual layer.

1. Select the layer that has multiple masks
2. Click the Separator button in the panel
3. New layers are created, one per mask, in the same comp

Modifier Keys

• Shift: Duplicates the original layer, locks it, and marks it as a reference before splitting
• Shift + Ctrl (Cmd on Mac): Same as above, but removes the reference layer after splitting is complete

Rename lets you batch rename selected layers using two modes.

1. Select the layers you want to rename in the timeline
2. Choose a rename mode in the panel
3. Enter a base name or suffix in the text field
4. Check the live preview to verify the result
5. Click Rename to apply

Separate Mode

Each character of the base name is assigned to a different layer. Useful when you have layers that represent individual letters or shapes.

Sequence Mode

All layers share one base name and receive a zero-padded number suffix (e.g. Shape 01, Shape 02, Shape 03). Good for numbered sequences.

Precomp & Crop wraps selected layers into a new pre-composition and automatically trims it to the content bounds.

1. Select one or more layers in the timeline
2. Click the Precomp & Crop button
3. A new pre-comp is created and the comp size is cropped to fit the content exactly

This keeps your project organized and avoids unnecessary whitespace in nested compositions.

Offset Layers staggers the in-point of selected layers to create timed or randomized animations.

1. Select the layers you want to stagger
2. Set an offset amount in the field (in frames or seconds)
3. Choose the order: Ascending, Descending, or Random
4. Click Apply

Offset Orders

• Ascending: Each layer starts later than the previous one
• Descending: Each layer starts earlier than the previous one
• Random: Start times are shuffled randomly across the selection

Mask & Layer Splitter includes a ready-made .kbar file and icon set so you can add its functions directly to your KBar toolbar.

Setup

1. Download and install KBar from aescripts.com if you have not already
2. Open KBar settings and click Import
3. Select the .kbar file included in the Mask & Layer Splitter download
4. All five functions (Separator, Rename, Precomp, Offset, Open Panel) will appear as buttons

You can rearrange, resize, and re-icon any of the buttons after importing.

Which After Effects versions are supported?

After Effects CC 2020 through CC 2025.

Does it work on Mac and Windows?

Yes, both platforms are fully supported.

The script does not appear in the Window menu.

• Make sure the .jsx file is in the ScriptUI Panels folder, not the Scripts folder
• Restart After Effects after copying the file
• Check that "Allow Scripts to Write Files" is enabled in After Effects Preferences > Scripting & Expressions

License activation fails.

Check your internet connection and try again. Make sure you are pasting the key without extra spaces. If the issue persists, update to version 1.2.1 which includes framework fixes for activation.

Can I use it on multiple computers?

A Single User License covers one machine at a time. Deactivate on your old machine first, then activate on the new one. For teams, use a Floating Server License.

Where do I get support?

Open a support ticket at aescripts.com/contact and you will be connected directly with the author.