Here are the features that made the grade:
* AI-powered Object Matte
Use the Object Matte tool to automatically select, isolate, and track subjects in your composition using single-click AI-powered subject selection.
* Displacement support for 3D materials on parametric meshes Use displacement to push a mesh into 3D space using height data, adding subtle texture for realism or turning simple shapes into detailed models.
* Search and instantly apply effects, presets, or commands Use Quick Apply to quickly search for any effect, animation preset, or menu command, then select what you need and apply or run it instantly.
* Proportional Scrubbing in timeline Distribute changes across multiple layers proportionally by dragging a selected property’s hot‑text values, enabling faster, more intuitive multi‑layer adjustments.
* Import SVG file as footage or as a composition
Import SVG files as a composition with editable vector layers or as rasterized footage, allowing you to choose the level of flexibility that best fits your project.
Advanced 3D renders got 2-4x faster; see After Effects Update 26.2 Improved Puget Bench 3D Results for more.
Of course not everything in the After Effects Beta was released this time. Here’s what is currently in beta (3 are new features today).
- Duplicate layers using Alt/Option-drag
- Change anchor point in a more efficient way
- Create and use Depth of Field in the Advanced 3D renderer
- Curl Noise effect for swirling animated 2D patterns with engineering view and samples
- Quickly Find Variable Fonts by Axis
- Variable Font Filter in the font picker
- Effect Controls panel modernization
- Copy frames to clipboard – with color management!
- days later… Copy and paste Illustrator and SVG content as native shape layers (26.3×51)
- days later… Updated Vector Mask Tracker (26.3×47)
Jake In Motion had a chatty live stream today, They Did it Again! New Features in After Effects Beta. Whatever features he’s covering, it should be good.
Adobe Premiere’s new Color Mode workspace in beta may end up in AE too. And, there were more Premiere features announced.
We hope to hear more on the new approach to color from Alexis Van Hurkman, Product Manager of Color at Adobe (author and docs guy for Final Cut Studio and DaVinci). You’ll find tips here on PVC already in the review by Scott Simmons.
Later: from the horse’s mouth, Why Adobe Rebuilt Color From Scratch.
And, Ithere’s nVidia acceleration of the Color Panel in Premiere.
Matt WhoisMatt Johnson swings the other way from his “Adobe was robbed” video on the latest DaVinci Resolve (it does look good) with Bye DaVinci Resolve?! Premiere’s New Color Mode Is Here! Also, here’s a rundown of Color Mode from Adobe:
Adobe is encouraging users to dive in right away, posting a bunch of tutorials and discussions with Color Mode 101: A Crash Course on Color Grading in Premiere (beta). Start at the bottom with Getting Started (link is on twin website).

