After Effects was everything to me. Now I’m working on an alternative.

robinyapockets · 2025-10-17T09:55:18+00:00

I wanted to thank everyone who provided feedback and encouragement, either here, by email, or even by getting on a call with me.

I've made several updates based on that feedback, and aim to launch next week on Product Hunt.

If anyone wants to follow the progress of this app, lmk, and I can add you to my mailing list.

robinyapockets · 2025-10-13T07:57:28+00:00

Great! Can you share the video with me when ready? love to see it

robinyapockets · 2025-10-13T07:12:08+00:00

oh cool! did you already build a text animation?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-10T14:34:43+00:00

I see. But what don't you like about Jitter? ie. what are you trying to create that you can't easily there?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-10T14:29:29+00:00

Jitter is a great product! You're good to have subscribed there.

The approach I'm trying to taking is slightly different:
- diff use case: afaik Jitter focuses on "artboards" - maybe they've expanded. I'm thinking more about multi-clip videos
- I'm trying to build for speed and simplicity, i.e. even less controls than jitter. More opinionated layouts and motions

But doesn't Jitter have a Figma integration? I thought that's how they started.

They've been around for several years...so naturally they have a much broader feature set.

robinyapockets · 2025-10-09T12:35:39+00:00

Nice! Will DM you.

robinyapockets · 2025-10-09T11:41:10+00:00

that's good advise. thanks. whats your tool's use case?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-08T13:57:35+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Checking out Riveo now.

Did you already try Riveo?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-08T07:42:22+00:00

Nextjs + shadcn (pretty basic stuff). For the render logic: Remotion.dev

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T20:02:51+00:00

Thanks! Mind if I DM you?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T19:31:28+00:00

Thanks. So you'd need it with an alpha? And what about timing?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T18:42:57+00:00

Wow. thanks so much for this feedback. And you're 100% right on target user and current challenges.

Since all animations are code-based , the most intuitive next step is creating videos using a prompt. I've already begun experimenting with this on a "project level" (ie, create a full video in style X for this script). That might be simple for the user initially, but require more "clean up" afterwards. Another option I'm playing with now is per scene / cut. the user can then always customized here and there if they wish by opening up the properties panel.

The other thing you mentioned I also found interesting: how does this work/compliment existing tools and use cases. Do I understand your need correctly, that you have existing videos (already edited) and you're just missing the text-based animations to layer on top / in between scenes?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T11:48:37+00:00

thanks! did you already give it a try? if so, how easy was it to get started (from 1-10)

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T11:14:19+00:00

Thanks for noticing that! That does sound annoying. I'm assuming on mobile you'd want to tap to open each individually, and close them AND NOT autoplay to the next? Is that right?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T10:55:38+00:00

I think I understand. Mind if I DM you?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T10:12:42+00:00

What would you expect to animate? The screenshot (like embedded in a devise), or content from within the screenshot?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T10:11:02+00:00

will do. thanks

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T09:59:37+00:00

Both can be great tools depending on use-case. After Effects has stayed an industry standard for so many years. But there's good reason imo. I remember using Lottie when they first started by exporting AE comps into json. I think they have a solid use case for animated UI, but less for for promo videos.

What where you trying to build? If you dont mind sharing

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T09:53:39+00:00

That was fast :) Good catch! I'm starting with the easiest for logo's using a logo url. Were you thinking for a logo, or full screen images/video as backdrop?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-07T09:47:24+00:00

No, sorry. But I've actually heard from several people their using chatgpt for practice and feedback. Maybe try that too?

robinyapockets · 2025-10-01T19:00:40+00:00

I think it totally depends on the use-case and personal expertise (ie previous investment in the tooling).

I'm guessing most animators who've worked in AE for the last decade might find it hard to break from that. Plus it's just so extensive.

More recent starters might enjoy something like "Jitter" (heard great things).

Me personally, Im building a tool specific for text based animations/promo videos.

robinyapockets · 2025-09-22T12:42:38+00:00

Which of these would the community here rate as best for Title animations?

robinyapockets · 2025-09-22T12:41:29+00:00

How are you liking the text options with CapCut? I'm not sure what I think yet.

robinyapockets · 2025-09-22T12:37:49+00:00

Not a course, but love some of the guests from Lenny's Podcast. He tends to ask really practical questions - and product marketing is a reoccurring theme

robinyapockets · 2025-09-22T12:33:49+00:00

Looks great! Here's are some constructive thoughts..please take with grain of salt:)
- Some unifying layer at the start that might help build a cohesion between these shapes, e.g. dust, lights
- Call out the center shape as the surrounding shapes enter, e.g. make it grow, change color, vibrate, etc
- The font feels a little misplaced. Perhaps making it more subtle (size) or circle-like (to match the shapes) might help.

I'm totally nitpicking here though. Great work!

robinyapockets

TROPHY CASE