The motion design software Autograph, based on USD and originally developed by Left Angle, has taken a significant turn. Maxon, after acquiring it in June 2024, has removed all commercial restrictions, allowing its unlimited use in professional productions. Now any studio can access this tool for free, positioning itself as a direct alternative to After Effects.
Adaptive workflow and support for production standards 🎨
Autograph offers a layer-based compositing model with 3D mode, combining the best of 2D and three-dimensional space. Its adaptive workflow allows working with multiple resolutions without manual adjustments, ideal for projects that scale between formats. Additionally, it supports standards such as OpenEXR, ACES, and OpenColorIO, facilitating integration into complex pipelines. The tool is based on USD, Pixar's scene description format, ensuring interoperability with other software in the ecosystem.
Maxon's masterstroke to steal clients from Adobe 🎯
Maxon giving away Autograph is not just generosity: it's a strategy to get a foot in the door of studios that still swear by After Effects. Now, with unlimited and free licenses, producers can say we'll try it, and if it doesn't work, we can always go back to paying the Adobe subscription. Sure, just like when you say you're only going window shopping and end up buying the coat.