# Example Usage with Claude Desktop
## 1. Configure Claude Desktop
Add this to your Claude Desktop config file:
**macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"adobe-after-effects": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/Users/yourname/ae-mcp/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"MCP_MODE": "stdio",
"AE_BRIDGE_PORT": "8080"
}
}
}
}
```
## 2. Start After Effects
1. Open Adobe After Effects
2. Go to Window > Extensions > AE MCP Bridge
3. Click "Connect" in the panel (it should connect to localhost:8080)
4. The status should show "Connected"
## 3. Use in Claude Desktop
Now you can use natural language commands like:
### Project Management
- "Create a new After Effects project called 'My Animation'"
- "Save the project to /Users/me/Documents/myproject.aep"
- "Import the video file at /Users/me/Videos/background.mp4"
### Composition Creation
- "Create a new composition called 'Main' that's 1920x1080, 30fps, 10 seconds long"
- "Create a square composition called 'Social Media' that's 1080x1080"
### Layer Operations
- "Add a solid red layer to the current composition"
- "Add text that says 'Hello World' to the composition"
- "Move the layer to position 960, 540"
- "Scale the layer to 150%"
- "Set the opacity to 75%"
### Shape Layer Creation
- "Add a blue circle shape layer"
- "Create a rounded rectangle with 20px corner radius, yellow fill, and black stroke"
- "Add a 6-pointed star shape with purple fill and 5px orange stroke"
- "Create a triangle (3-point polygon) with gradient fill"
### Advanced Shape Examples
```javascript
// Create a stylized star with custom properties
{
"tool": "add_shape_layer",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"name": "Fancy Star",
"shapeType": "star",
"properties": {
"points": 8,
"innerRadius": 30,
"outerRadius": 80,
"fillColor": [0.2, 0.6, 1.0], // Light blue
"strokeColor": [1.0, 0.8, 0.0], // Gold
"strokeWidth": 3,
"position": [960, 540],
"rotation": 22.5,
"scale": [150, 150]
}
}
}
// Create multiple shapes in batch
{
"tool": "batch_create_layers",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"layers": [
{
"type": "shape",
"name": "Background Circle",
"properties": {
"shapeType": "ellipse",
"size": [500, 500],
"fillColor": [0.1, 0.1, 0.1],
"position": [960, 540],
"opacity": 50
}
},
{
"type": "shape",
"name": "Inner Diamond",
"properties": {
"shapeType": "polygon",
"points": 4,
"outerRadius": 150,
"fillColor": [1, 0.5, 0],
"strokeColor": [1, 1, 1],
"strokeWidth": 2,
"position": [960, 540],
"rotation": 45
}
},
{
"type": "shape",
"name": "Accent Star",
"properties": {
"shapeType": "star",
"points": 5,
"innerRadius": 40,
"outerRadius": 100,
"fillColor": [1, 1, 0],
"position": [960, 540]
}
}
]
}
}
```
### Layer Ordering - IMPORTANT!
In After Effects, Layer 1 is on TOP. When creating backgrounds:
- **Create backgrounds LAST** so they appear at the bottom
- Or use `reorder_layers` to move backgrounds to the bottom
- See [LAYER_ORDERING.md](../LAYER_ORDERING.md) for detailed guide
### Batch Modify Layer Properties
- "Move layers 1, 2, and 3 to different positions"
- "Scale multiple layers at once"
- "Apply different rotations to a group of layers"
```javascript
// Example: Arrange shapes in a circle
{
"tool": "batch_modify_layer_properties",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"modifications": [
{
"layerIndex": 1,
"properties": {
"position": [960, 340],
"rotation": 0
}
},
{
"layerIndex": 2,
"properties": {
"position": [1160, 540],
"rotation": 90
}
},
{
"layerIndex": 3,
"properties": {
"position": [960, 740],
"rotation": 180
}
},
{
"layerIndex": 4,
"properties": {
"position": [760, 540],
"rotation": 270
}
}
]
}
}
```
### Animation
- "Set a position keyframe at 0 seconds"
- "Move to 2 seconds and set position to 1500, 540"
- "Create a fade in animation from 0 to 1 second"
### Expressions - IMPORTANT: Use `set_expression`, not `add_expression`!
#### Basic Expression Setting
```javascript
// ✅ CORRECT: Use set_expression
{
"tool": "set_expression",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"layerIndex": 1,
"propertyPath": "Transform.Position",
"expression": "[960, 540 + Math.sin(time * 2) * 100]"
}
}
// ❌ WRONG: There is no add_expression tool
// { "tool": "add_expression", ... } // This will fail!
```
#### Add Wiggle Expression
```javascript
// For wiggle, use the specialized tool
{
"tool": "add_wiggle_expression",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"layerIndex": 1,
"propertyPath": "Transform.Position",
"frequency": 3,
"amplitude": 50
}
}
```
#### Link Properties with Expression
```javascript
// Link one layer's rotation to another's
{
"tool": "link_properties_with_expression",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"sourceLayer": 1,
"sourceProperty": "Transform.Rotation",
"targetLayer": 2,
"targetProperty": "Transform.Rotation",
"linkType": "multiply",
"multiplier": -1 // Inverse rotation
}
}
```
#### Add Expression Controls
```javascript
// Add a slider control for dynamic values
{
"tool": "add_expression_control",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"layerIndex": 1,
"controlType": "slider",
"name": "Speed Control",
"value": 5
}
}
// Then reference it in an expression
{
"tool": "set_expression",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"layerIndex": 1,
"propertyPath": "Transform.Rotation",
"expression": "effect('Speed Control')('Slider') * time * 10"
}
}
```
### Complete Example: Title Card with Background (Correct Order)
```javascript
// Create a professional title card with proper layer ordering
{
"tool": "batch_execute",
"params": {
"commands": [
// 1. Create foreground elements FIRST
{
"tool": "add_text_layer_advanced",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"text": "AWESOME PROJECT",
"name": "Main Title",
"position": [960, 400],
"sourceText": {
"fontSize": 80,
"font": "Arial",
"fillColor": [1, 1, 1],
"justification": "center"
}
}
},
{
"tool": "add_text_layer_advanced",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"text": "Created with AE-MCP",
"name": "Subtitle",
"position": [960, 500],
"sourceText": {
"fontSize": 30,
"font": "Arial",
"fillColor": [0.8, 0.8, 0.8],
"justification": "center"
}
}
},
{
"tool": "add_shape_layer",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"name": "Divider Line",
"shapeType": "rectangle",
"properties": {
"size": [300, 2],
"fillColor": [1, 0.8, 0],
"position": [960, 450]
}
}
},
// 2. Create background LAST - it will be at the bottom!
{
"tool": "add_solid_layer",
"params": {
"compId": 1,
"name": "Background",
"color": [0.1, 0.1, 0.2],
"width": 1920,
"height": 1080
}
}
]
}
}
```
### Rendering
- "Add the current composition to the render queue"
- "Set output to /Users/me/Renders/output.mp4"
- "Start rendering"
## 4. Check Resources
You can also ask Claude to check the current state:
- "What's in the current After Effects project?"
- "List all compositions"
- "Show me the render queue status"
## Troubleshooting
If commands aren't working:
1. Check the CEP panel in AE shows "Connected"
2. Look at the activity log in the CEP panel
3. Check `ae-mcp-server.log` for errors
4. Restart Claude Desktop after changing the config
