Softwr

Film & TV · head to head

Adobe After Effects vs OpenSCAD

Adobe After Effects logo

Adobe After Effects

Film & TV

Visual effects and motion graphics software

From
$22.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenSCAD logo

OpenSCAD

3D & CAD

The programmers solid 3D CAD modeler

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OpenSCAD has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Adobe After Effects the Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's After Effects page on 1 January 2022 priced the standalone app at US$20.99 per month, with the full Creative Cloud All Apps bundle at US$52.99 per month; current prices may differ.; OpenSCAD script-based workflow, not interactive design interface
  • They diverge on capability: Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, OpenSCAD covers Script-based modeling.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Adobe After Effects and OpenSCAD actually diverge.

Attributes where Adobe After Effects and OpenSCAD differ
AttributeAdobe After EffectsOpenSCAD
Starting price$22.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionopen-source
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, MacosWindows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly
CategoryFilm & TV3D & CAD
Founded19902009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Adobe After Effects

  • Motion graphics
  • Visual effects
  • 2D and 3D compositing
  • Animation tools
  • Keying and rotoscoping
  • Color correction
  • Text animation
  • Particle systems

Only in OpenSCAD

  • Script-based modeling
  • CSG operations
  • 2D to 3D extrusion
  • Parameterization
  • STL export
  • Preview
  • 3D printers
  • Slicers

Both cover

  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Adobe After Effects

  • Motion graphics creationnot OpenSCAD
  • Visual effects compositingnot OpenSCAD
  • Title sequencesnot OpenSCAD
  • Commercial advertisingnot OpenSCAD
  • Social media contentnot OpenSCAD

OpenSCAD

  • Parametric 3D design for manufacturing and 3D printingnot Adobe After Effects
  • Technical design with scripted control over geometrynot Adobe After Effects
  • Procedural model generationnot Adobe After Effects

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Adobe After Effects

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Adobe's After Effects page on 1 January 2022 priced the standalone app at US$20.99 per month, with the full Creative Cloud All Apps bundle at US$52.99 per month; current prices may differ.

OpenSCAD

  • Script-based workflow, not interactive design interface
  • Limited to constructive solid geometry and 2D extrusion modelling
  • Not suitable for artistic 3D modelling or computer animation
  • Complex build dependencies (Qt, CGAL, Boost)

Pricing, plan by plan

Adobe After Effects

$22.99/month
  • After Effects Single App$22.99/month
    • Motion graphics and VFX
    • 3D design space
    • Data-driven animation

OpenSCAD

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the OpenSCAD review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Adobe After Effects if

  • You need motion graphics.
  • You work on Windows, Macos.
  • You also want visual effects.
Adobe After Effects review

Choose OpenSCAD if

  • You need script-based modeling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly.
  • You also want csg operations.
OpenSCAD review

Questions people ask

Is Adobe After Effects or OpenSCAD better?
Neither clearly leads. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month and OpenSCAD at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Adobe After Effects or OpenSCAD?
OpenSCAD has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $22.99/month for Adobe After Effects and Free for OpenSCAD.
Does Adobe After Effects or OpenSCAD run on more platforms?
Adobe After Effects runs on Windows, Macos. OpenSCAD runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, WebAssembly.
Can I use OpenSCAD for free?
Yes. OpenSCAD has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Adobe After Effects starts at $22.99/month.
What is Adobe After Effects best used for?
Adobe After Effects is most often used for motion graphics creation, visual effects compositing, title sequences, commercial advertising. Of those, motion graphics creation and visual effects compositing are not what OpenSCAD is typically brought in for.
What can Adobe After Effects do that OpenSCAD cannot?
Adobe After Effects covers Motion graphics, Visual effects, 2D and 3D compositing, Animation tools. OpenSCAD covers Script-based modeling, CSG operations, 2D to 3D extrusion, Parameterization. Both handle Windows support.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Adobe After Effects

More on OpenSCAD

Keep looking

Other head to heads