Is Rearrange AeFolder 1.1 (please test GM_FoldLayers before buiyng it) worth it if you’re shopping in Films?
Is Rearrange AeFolder 1.1 worth it if you’re drowning in After Effects layer stacks?
If your timeline looks like a digital attic—hundreds of layers, nulls, and pre-comps tangled in a way that makes simple edits feel like surgery—you know the pain of scrolling to find one specific track. Standard grouping in After Effects helps, but it rarely solves the problem of organizing those groups so they stay visible, movable, and logically arranged. That’s the specific job Rearrange AeFolder 1.1 is built to handle. It’s a $5 script that takes the basic folding capability of a free tool and turns it into a true folder system for your selected layers, letting you move, hide, and arrange them with a few clicks instead of manual dragging.
This isn’t a full plugin suite or a complex motion graphics engine. It’s a targeted utility for people who want their timeline to behave like a file system. If you’re working on complex compositions where layer order and visibility control are constant headaches, this is the kind of small, specific tool that can save you minutes every single session. (Rearrange AeFolder 1.1)
Quick answer
| Best for | After Effects users who need to group, move, and arrange layers more efficiently without a full plugin overhaul. |
| Skip if | You don’t already use the free GM_FoldLayers tool, or you need a solution that works offline without license verification. |
| Price | $5 |
| Format | .jsxbin script + Kbar icons |
| One-line take | A cheap, focused layer-organization script that turns basic grouping into a functional folder system. |
What you’re actually buying
At $5, you’re getting a script that layers on top of a free foundation. The core value is in how it handles the “folder” concept: you select layers, create a folder, and the script manages the visibility, movement, and arrangement of those layers relative to the folder’s null. It’s not just about hiding layers; it’s about keeping them organized so your timeline stays readable as your project grows. (Rearrange AeFolder 1.1)
The pack includes the .jsxbin script file and a set of icons designed for Kbar, a popular custom shortcut bar for creative apps. This means if you use Kbar, you can map actions like CreateFolder, DeleteFolder, MoveFolder, Solo, Visible, and Refresh to single keystrokes or button presses. For users who rely on speed and muscle memory, that integration is a significant quality-of-life upgrade. The script is designed to work specifically with GM_FoldLayers by Good Motion AB, which you need to install first. The seller explicitly recommends testing GM_FoldLayers before purchasing, ensuring you’re comfortable with the base functionality before adding the rearrangement layer. (Rearrange AeFolder 1.1)
Why it’s on our radar
This product stands out because it solves a very specific, recurring pain point in After Effects: the chaos of layer management in long or complex comps. Most organization tools either require manual pre-comps (which are rigid and slow) or rely on the native folder feature, which has limitations on M1 Macs and lacks the granular control of moving and arranging layers within a group. Rearrange AeFolder 1.1 bridges that gap by leveraging a free, lightweight tool and adding the “rearrange” logic that makes it truly useful for daily work.
The price point is another reason it’s worth a look. At $5, the risk is minimal. If it saves you even ten minutes of scrolling and manual adjusting per week, it pays for itself quickly. It’s a niche tool, but for the people who need it—compositors, motion designers, and editors dealing with heavy layer counts—it’s a no-brainer. The seller’s transparency about the dependency on GM_FoldLayers and the license verification requirement also signals a straightforward, no-nonsense approach to a small utility. (Rearrange AeFolder 1.1)
What actually matters
Before you buy, there are a few practical checks to make sure this fits your workflow. First, verify that you can install and use GM_FoldLayers. The seller notes that GMFolder does not work with the latest After Effects native for M1 Macs, so if you’re on a newer Mac and the free tool isn’t compatible, this script won’t be either. Test the free tool first, as recommended. (Rearrange AeFolder 1.1)
Second, consider your internet connectivity. The script requires After Effects to connect to the internet to verify the license key. If you’re in an office with a strict firewall or a remote workflow where internet access is inconsistent, this could be a friction point. Check with your IT if you’re in a corporate environment. (Rearrange AeFolder 1.1)
Finally, think about your shortcut setup. The Kbar icons are a nice bonus, but if you don’t use Kbar, you’ll still get the core script functionality. The script installs into the standard ScriptUI Panels folder, so it should be accessible via the Scripts menu or custom shortcuts. The update to version 1.3 places the null folder control in the center of selected layers, which is a small but useful refinement for precision. (Rearrange AeFolder 1.1)
Mid-check
If you’re ready to streamline your layer management and you’ve confirmed compatibility with GM_FoldLayers, See current options to grab the script and Kbar icons.
FAQ
Do I need to buy GM_FoldLayers separately? No, GM_FoldLayers is a free tool by Good Motion AB. You need to install it first, but it doesn’t cost anything. The $5 price for Rearrange AeFolder 1.1 covers the script that adds the rearrangement and folder-control features on top of the free base.
Will this work on an M1 Mac? The listing notes that GM_FoldLayers does not work with the latest After Effects native for M1 Macs. Since Rearrange AeFolder depends on GM_FoldLayers, you should test the free tool first to ensure compatibility with your specific setup before purchasing.
Can I use this without Kbar?
Yes. The core functionality is in the .jsxbin script, which installs into your After Effects Scripts folder. The Kbar icons are an optional add-on for users who want to map the actions to custom shortcuts. You can still use the script via the Scripts menu or standard keyboard shortcuts if you don’t use Kbar. (Rearrange AeFolder 1.1)
Bottom line
If you’re tired of wrestling with layer visibility and order in complex After Effects comps, Rearrange AeFolder 1.1 is a cheap, focused solution that can make your timeline significantly more manageable. It’s not a magic bullet, and it requires a free dependency and internet connectivity for license checks, but for the price, it’s a low-risk way to add a powerful layer-organization workflow to your toolkit. Test the free GM_FoldLayers tool first, and if it works for you, this script is a natural next step.