SMM FX Collection for After Effects — Windows — release 2026.11.03

INCLUDED
Color Palette Match, Luminance Match, Edge Blur, Matte Feather and Motion Blur.
Tested with Windows x64 and Adobe After Effects 2026 (26.5).
This package does not support macOS, Windows ARM, Resolve or Fusion.

INSTALL OR UPDATE
1. Save your work and close After Effects and aerender.
2. Extract the ZIP and keep a backup of your previous SMM FX folder.
3. Copy the extracted "SMM FX" folder into:
   C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2026\Support Files\Plug-ins\
   Approve the Windows administrator prompt if requested.
4. Replace the same-named files in that folder. Keep all five .aex files,
   SMMFXLicensing.dll and both notices together. Avoid duplicate copies of
   these effects in other After Effects plug-in folders.
5. Launch After Effects from your normal shortcut. Find the effects in
   Effect > SMM FX. Existing scenes do not need their settings changed.

ACTIVATE THE COLLECTION
Sign into https://stopmotionmagazine.com/smm-fx-plug-in-access/
Eligible members and complimentary license recipients can create an activation
key. Other accounts can start one 30-day software trial; the software trial
creates no payment, automatic charge or magazine subscription.
Apply any SMM FX effect, open its Options window, paste your key and choose
Activate / Refresh. One activation unlocks the collection on this computer.
Two computers are included per account. Each Windows user has its own protected
activation. Keep the activation key private.

USING THE EFFECTS
Color Palette Match: choose a Reference Layer and adjust Amount to adapt color.
Luminance Match: choose a Reference Layer to adapt tones to your background.
Edge Blur: soften a cutout's edge while retaining the interior detail.
Matte Feather: adjust Feather Radius, Direction, Choke and Mix for the matte.
Motion Blur: control exposure with Shutter Angle and Shutter Timing. Choose
Draft, Standard or High quality and CPU or GPU processing. GPU processing needs
a compatible NVIDIA CUDA device available to AE and its driver; no separate
CUDA toolkit is needed. Tracking still uses the CPU. CPU mode is available
without a compatible NVIDIA GPU. High may take longer and is not always better
for every shot. Inspect fast turns and overlapping objects at full resolution.
Motion Blur supports After Effects Multi-Frame Rendering. Speed depends on
footage, hardware, memory and quality settings.

RENEWAL AND OFFLINE WORK
A fresh valid saved license is used locally. Online renewal is checked at AE
startup when due; opening Options also checks. No network work occurs per frame.
Offline access lasts up to 72 hours after a successful check, capped by your
trial, complimentary grant or known membership end date. An admitted AE session
continues until you close AE. Restarting requires valid saved or renewed access.
Use the website to manage your membership and computer slots. A released slot
remains reserved until that computer's existing offline license expires.

REMOVE OR RESTORE
Close AE and aerender, then restore your backed-up SMM FX folder or remove only
these package files. Removing files does not cancel billing or release seats.
Manage those separately on the website.

SUPPORT
https://stopmotionmagazine.com/contact/
Include your AE version, Windows version, GPU, effect quality and a description
of the problem. Never send your activation key or payment information.

The binaries are not Authenticode-signed. Only download from the official site.
Keep both third-party notices with the binaries. Render-farm licensing is separate.
