← Back to docs

Plugin Setup Guide

Get up and running in under 5 minutes

1

Download ZXP Installer

You need the free ZXP Installer by aescripts to install the plugin. Download the version for your operating system.

Mac (.dmg)Windows (.exe)
2

Install the FreeCPU Plugin

Download the FreeCPU plugin, then open ZXP Installer and drag & drop the freecpu-plugin.zxp file onto it. The installer will handle everything automatically.

Download Plugin (.zxp)
Tip: After installing, restart After Effects for the plugin to appear.
Having trouble with ZXP Installer? Try manual installation

1. Download the plugin as .zip

2. Extract it to your CEP extensions folder:

Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions/com.freecpu.remote-render/
Win: C:\Users\[you]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CEP\extensions\com.freecpu.remote-render\

3. Enable debug mode (required for unsigned extensions):

Mac: defaults write com.adobe.CSXS.11 PlayerDebugMode 1
Win: Registry: HKCU\Software\Adobe\CSXS.11 → PlayerDebugMode = "1"

4. Restart After Effects and open Window → Extensions → FreeCPU

3

Enable Scripting & Open the Plugin

Before using the plugin, you must enable script access in After Effects. Then open the FreeCPU panel.

Required: Enable Script Access

The plugin needs permission to write files and access the network. Without this, you'll get a "Permission denied" error.

Windows:

Go to Edit → Preferences → Scripting & Expressions, then check "Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network".

Mac:

Go to After Effects → Settings → Scripting & Expressions, then check "Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network".

Restart After Effects, then go to Window → Extensions → FreeCPU. The plugin panel will appear on the right side.

4

Connect Your Account

Open the FreeCPU panel in After Effects (Window → Extensions → FreeCPU), click the settings icon, and paste your API key.

Create an account or log in to get your API key.

5

Start Your First Render

Open your After Effects project, select a composition in the Project panel, then click "Start Render" in the FreeCPU panel.

  1. aOpen your .aep project in After Effects
  2. bSelect the composition you want to render
  3. cChoose your render settings (format, quality)
  4. dClick "Start Render" — your project uploads and rendering begins
  5. eWatch progress in real-time, then download when complete

Pro Tips

  • •Collect files before rendering to avoid missing assets
  • •The plugin auto-detects required third-party plugins
  • •Use the cost estimator to preview render costs before starting
  • •WebSocket monitoring shows real-time frame progress