The v2 release architecture drastically improves upon native After Effects tools by offering real-time rendering, an intuitive interface, and crucial frame-by-frame utility features.
Added in v1.5.2 to quickly color large areas with speed enhancements for onion skinning.
The clone tool—often called "Clone Stick" within the plugin—has received performance optimizations in v2.1.2c. The offset sampling is now more accurate, and you can preview the clone source location while painting. Crucially, the clone offset can also be tracked, meaning you can clone from a moving source to a moving destination (e.g., replacing a logo on a passing car with clean texture from another part of the car).
By eliminating the rigid constraints of the default After Effects paint engine, Paint Stick allows artists to use custom Photoshop brushes directly within their composition view. It also features advanced tracking capabilities that seamlessly "stick" custom artwork onto moving 3D layers or live-action footage. Core Structural Features of Paint Stick v2
The UI features an on-screen, customizable toolbar embedded inside the comp window for lightning-fast tool switching. It includes custom brush parameter support for scattering, shape dynamics, and color variations.
AEScripts Paint Stick v2.1.2c is available exclusively through (and their resellers). Pricing is typically $49.99 USD for a single license, with volume discounts for studios. Upgrades from v1.x to v2.x cost around $29.99, while minor point updates (like 2.1 to 2.1.2c) are free for existing v2 license holders. A free trial is available, which adds subtle watermarks to strokes but allows full functionality for 14 days.
The first iteration of Paint & Stick broke this barrier. It allowed artists to paint directly in the Composition window . Suddenly, the "keyhole" vanished. Designers could now: Photoshop brushes directly within After Effects. Onion Skinning
Open the Paint Stick UI panel, load your favorite .ABR brush file, and set your size and opacity.
The minor update version serves as a vital stability build for professional pipelines, fixing critical memory management issues found in earlier versions. Any users of Paint & Stick? - Vizrt Forums
✅ Apply realistic paint strokes to text, shapes, or footage ✅ Adjust brush size, pressure, and angle ✅ Animate the "painting on" effect with ease
Mastering Frame-by-Frame and 3D Projection: The Ultimate Guide to AEScripts Paint Stick v2.1.2c for After Effects
The official Paint & Stick documentation includes numerous video tutorials:
The Stick technology allows VFX artists to paint directly onto 3D renders as if the paint were part of the original render. This is invaluable for adding matte painting details, creating stylized looks, or fixing problematic areas without re-rendering from the 3D software.
⬇️ Get it now on AEScripts