A�er Effects Plugin Installa�on Guide

V.0.3
Windows Only
By ReealLion

Hey guys, I’ve been ge�ng a lot of people asking me about Adobe AE plugins and installing the
cracked versions of them. This is a complete guide to installing common plugins such as MBL, Boris
FX Sapphire, BorisFX BCC, Twixtor etc. Part one of the guide is Installing the plugins themselves, Part
two explains what to do if a plugin is not working.

Part 1: Installa�on
Part 1 Contents:
1. Links and Help
2. WinRAR
3. How to install MBL (Magic Bullet Looks)
4. How to install Sapphire
5. How to install BCC
6. How to install Element 3D
7. How to install Op�cal Flares
8. How to install Twixtor and RSMB
9. How to install Flow
I hope this guide will help you with installa�ons and solving any problems you may have.

1. Links & Help

Here you can find my links to many plugins I explain in this guide and others too.

GDRIVE: htps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-
UuJNXOKU8La2Nlz5A_VgFHncWOVTM56?usp=drive_link

If you require extra help, join the discord server, and open up a �cket. The server also offers so�ware
and other things that may be useful to you.

Join here: htps://discord.gg/B9wbhbQdAE

2. WinRAR
What is WinRAR?

WinRAR is a powerful compression tool with many integrated addi�onal func�ons to help you
organize your compressed archives.

It puts you ahead of the crowd when it comes to compression. By consistently crea�ng smaller
archives, WinRAR is o�en faster than the compe��on. This will save you disk space, transmission
costs AND valuable working �me as well. The so�ware supports all popular compression formats
(RAR, ZIP, CAB, ARJ, LZH, TAR, GZip, UUE, ISO, BZIP2, Z and 7-Zip). It is ideal for mul�media files.
WinRAR automa�cally recognizes and selects the best compression method. The special compression
algorithm compresses mul�media files, executables and object libraries par�cularly well.

Link:

htps://www.win-rar.com/predownload.html?&L=0

3. How to Install Magic Bullet Looks

Within my folder, there are two versions of MBL you can install. Before you install any however, you
must make sure you have removed the previous version of Magic Bullet Looks off your device (If you
had a previous version already). You can do that through the control panel.

Op�on 1- Using Codes:

The first way to install MBL is by using the codes. This works beter on Windows 11.

How to install Op�on 1:

1. Go to this website and download Maxon: htps://www.maxon.net/en/try

2. Create an account or log in- It should open the Maxon Product manager a�erwards.
3. Press the 3 lines at the top right of the screen- It should open a mini menu.
4. Press ‘Import Serial Numbers…’
5. Choose to manually enter a serial number.
6. Enter the serials down below

COBK2245921573563861

84992923234555688189

MBLK1245875960562349

7. Let the dialog box appear saying MBL is licensed.

8. Close Maxon run MagicBulletSuiteInstaller.exe. (IGNORE RG ACTIVATION SERVICE UNLOCKER)
9. Wait for it to be finished then log back into Maxon. Do not run the installer, search for it in
the taskbar. It should say MBL is up to date – if not check Plugin not working

Op�on 2- Using Ac�va�on Service Unlocker:

The second way to install is using the ac�va�on service Unlocker which is given in the zipped folder.
This works beter on Windows 10

How to install Op�on 2:

1. Install latest Maxon App: htps://www.maxon.net/en/try

(It will ask u to create an account/Login to install)

2. Make sure Your Maxon App Is in RLM Mode

3. Install Ac�va�on Service Unlocker and wait for comple�on
4. Run Magic Bullet Suite Installer and let it install.
5. Check AE for changes

4. How to Install BorisFX Sapphire

Within my folder, there are two versions of Sapphire you can install. One for in general and another
that is specifically for A�er Effects 2020. Before you install any however, you must make sure you
have removed the previous version of Sapphire off your device (If you had a previous version
already). Luckily BorisFx already does this for you when you run the setup.

How to install Sapphire (General)

1. Install. At the end of install choose the op�ons saying "Con�nue installa�on without entering
license"
2. Copy & replace patched sapphire_ae.dll in the following directory:

C:\Program Files\BorisFX\Sapphire 2023 Adobe\lib64

3. Copy en�re GenArts folders in:

C:\ProgramData.

How to install Sapphire (2020)

1. Install. At the end of install choose the op�ons saying "Con�nue installa�on without entering
license"
2. Copy & replace patched sapphire_ae.dll in the following directory:

C:\Program Files\GenArts\SapphireAE\lib64

3. Copy en�re GenArts folders in:

C:\ProgramData

If the plugin does not work check for Resolu�ons to the problem here
5. How to Install BorisFX BCC

Unlike MBL and Sapphire, there is only one version of this plugin you can install; however, it works
for every a�er effects from 2020 onwards. It also gets updated when it is no longer working. Before
you install any however, you must make sure you have removed the previous version of BCC off your
device (If you had a previous version already). Luckily BorisFx already does this for you when you run
the setup.

How to install BCC:

1. Install BCC via Setup.

2. Let It install.
3. Con�nue without license and finish installa�on.
4. Copy dll and paste inside "C:\Program Files\BorisFX\Con�nuumAE\12\lib"
5. Copy And replace GenArts folder inside "C:\ProgramData"
6. Run AE and Enjoy without worries.

If the plugin does not work check for Resolu�ons to the problem here

6. How to install Element 3D

For Video Copilot Products (Element 3D) Installa�on and Licensing is A bit different. The license is an
actual file rather than A code like Maxon and Red Giant. To install Element 3D, you must make sure
the crack file has the Setup, the AEX file And the License file. The crack folder should look a bit like
this:

The first file is the AEX file.

The second file is the License file. (.lic)

The third file is the installa�on guide text document.

And the last file is the setup.

How to install Element 3D:

 1. Run the setup and agree to the license agreement.
2. Pick the version of A�er Affects you want to install it on
If your AE version does not appear, click custom and select Plug-ins in your AE installa�on
directory.

3. Let it install- When selec�ng the default folder, I personally recommend not to modify it, the
default is the document, and the installa�on is complete.
4. Copy the AEX file into this directory: Adobe A�er Effects (Year)\Support Files\Plug-
ins\VideoCopilot
5. Apply the plugin to an adjustment layer- It should come up with a dialogue box asking for
license.
6. Click step 3 (install license file)
7. Navigate to the crack folder loca�on and open the .lic file.
8. And you’re done.

If the dialog box doesn’t come up or you need to update your license:

1. Open effect controls

2. Click scene setup.
3. Help > Re-register Product
4. Press Yes
5. Con�nue from step 6 (install license file).

If the plugin does not work check for Resolu�ons to the problem here

7. How to install Op�cal Flares

For Op�cal Flares, Installa�on and Licensing is A bit different. The license is an actual file rather than
A code like Maxon and Red Giant. To install Op�cal, you must make sure the crack file has the Setup
and the License generator file. The crack folder should look a bit like this:
This one is a bit more complicated however I’ll run you through it, you can request a video in my
discord server.

How to install Op�cal Flares:

Part 1:

1. Open Op�calFlaresInstaller_1.3.5_Win.exe
2. Allow Administrator
3. Click the custom box.
4. Select 64 Bit
5. Press the browse buton below.
6. Make your way to the plugins folder in the mini file explorer box.

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe A�er Effects (Year)\Support Files\Plug-ins

7. Select the plugins folder and press Next.

8. Let it install.
9. Con�nue to Part 2

Part 2:

1. Start A�er Effects and create a new composi�on, then apply Op�cal Flares to a solid or
Adjustment layer.
2. A�er Effects will prompt you with a Hardware Fingerprint (HWID)
3. Copy requested HWID and close A�er Effects
4. Run LicfileGen.exe (required Windows) and paste your HWID and click the "Generate
License”.
5. The Applica�on will open a mini file explorer.
6. Place a created license file in the following directory.
7. C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe A�er Effects 2023\Support Files\Plug-ins\Op�cal Flares
8. Restart A�er Effects and Op�cal Flares is ready to use!

If the plugin does not work check for Resolu�ons to the problem here

8. How to install Twixtor and RSMB

Unlike the previous plugin, Twixtor and RSMB is very easy to install. For RevisionFX Plugins, it will ask
you for a Name and serial. This is provided in the Installa�on guide (readme.txt)
How to Import License on RevisonFX:
1. Run the Setup- It will ask for the Name and serial.
2. Open up the txt file and copy the required items and paste them in the setup.
3. Con�nue with installa�on.
4. Let it finish installing then Open A�er Effects
5. It may take a minute to license.

If the plugin does not work check for Resolu�ons to the problem here

9. How to install Flow

Flow isn’t technically a plugin but an extension, but I thought I would put it here anyway. The
installa�on for this is quite different but that’s what this guide is for �.

The first thing you want to do is install the flow zip file inside the link given to you. Once you do that
you wanna extract it with WinRAR.

A�er its extracted, you should get a folder looking like this:

The first thing you want to do with this is highlight the folder named ‘flow-v1.4.2’ and then copy the
en�re folder (Ctrl C). Then you want to paste the copied folder inside the directory it says in the
Installa�on TXT file.

WIN : C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions\

To find this folder easily you can use the ‘Run’ Program Windows offers. Its already installed on your
PC so you won’t have to install anything else. Alterna�vely, you can just copy the directory into the
search bar.

A�er you’ve copied the file over, your extensions folder should look a litle like this:
NOTE: Not all the folders will be the same because of plugins and other things

Now that we’ve copied the files over, we can go back to the crack folder. Theres a file inside the crack
folder called Add Keys. This is a reg file. In order to complete the installa�on, you must run this file. It
will come up with a dialogue box similar to this:

All you have to do is press yes and let the keys get added to the system. Once that is done, reopen
A�er effects and it should be there. To open it go to Window > Extensions.

If its not there OR it won’t open, Click here.

Part 2: Plugin Not Working

If you're plugin is not working or has a watermark, this guide will help you figure out the problem
and how to solve it. If your plugin is not working when you add a CC preset, read the paragraph
below. If you know what plugin is causing the issue skip past that paragraph and move onto how to
fix the problem.
If your plugin is not working when you add a CC:
First thing you need to do is check what plugin is causing the problem. In order to do this, load up your
A�er Effects and create a new composi�on. In that composi�on, you need to add an adjustment layer
and a clip before adding your effect. Now add your CC to the adjustment layer. Then go to effect
controls (click on the adjustment layer and press F3) and slowly delete each effect un�l the watermark
is gone. When the watermark disappears that means that the plugin you just deleted was the one
causing the problem. Common Plugins that tend to have problems include Magic Bullet Looks,
Universe, BorisFx Sapphire, BorisFx BCC.

How to fix the problem:

Now that we know the plugin responsible for the watermark, we can solve the problem. There are 5
reasons why the plugin may not be working. These reasons are:

1. The crack has not been installed properly.

2. The crack may not be licensed.
3. The crack may have a separate installer.
4. The Plugin may not have been copied to the right folder (AEX files only).
5. The Plugin may be outdated.

I suggest reading through all of this because you can’t decipher which one it could possibly be unless
it’s an AEX file. I’ve put them in chronological order so try each reason in that order. If none of these
reasons help, Join my discord server or if you’re in vaszer’s server, request to dm me (Server Profile
Name: ReealLion – English)

REASONS FLOW IS NOT WORKING:

A. Flow is not appearing on the extension window.

B. Flow Appears on the extension window but doesn’t open

Reason 1: The crack may not be installed properly.

Now I know most of you reading this probably cracked the file, but you must make sure that you
have done it properly. Most cracked files and plugins come with an instruc�on file. Most of them are
labelled readme.txt and its very important you read them. Depending on the crack, it may not be
installed properly.

FOR BORISFX PLUGINS:

Both BorisFX BCC and Sapphire (S_) both involve copying the GenArts folder from the crack into
C:\ProgramData and copying a .dll file into the right folder (check readme.txt) a�er installing it from
the setup. Normally when you copy the GenArts folder it asks you to replace it due to the fact there’s
already a Folder named GenArts in there. However some�mes it doesn’t. If it doesn’t ask you to
replace the GenArts Folder, all you need to do is recopy and paste the cracked GenArts folder into
the same folder (C:\ProgramData) and it replaces the previous folder you added. This also applies for
the dll. If it doesn’t ask you to replace a current file for the same name, go through with it anyway
then copy and paste the crack again. If this hasn’t fixed your issue, Keep reading.

FOR MAXON/ RED GIANT PLUGINS:

When installing cracks for Maxon or Red Giant, Most the �me there are no cracked folders you need
to copy and paste its simply running setups and installing the applica�ons. For Red Giant has less
problems with the installa�on itself and more with the licensing, so if you’re having problems with
Red Giant, I suggest skipping to Reason 2. For Maxon Users however, you must have the license as
well as the separate plugin installer itself. So, when you register a license on Maxon, instead of
installing it through the app, you’d have to run that plugins installer separately.

Reason 2: The crack may not be licensed.

If Reason 1 Did not work for you or you’re using Red Giant, read this. Many Plugins like Element 3D,
Red Giant/Maxon Products, Twixtor, Op�cal Flares and ReVisionFX Products require licenses in order
to use. When installing a cracked folder, open the installa�on guide (readme.txt) and there should be
a License code (Red Giant/Maxon) or a Name and Serial code inside (ReVisionFX). For Video copilot
Products (Op�cal Flares & Element 3d) there will be a license file you need to import or a License file
generator.

How to Import License on Maxon:

1. Open the Maxon App
2. Create an account or log in- It should open the Maxon Product manager a�erwards.
3. Press the 3 lines at the top right of the screen- It should open a mini menu.
4. Press ‘Import Serial Numbers…’
5. Choose to manually enter a serial number.
6. Enter the serial that the is on the txt file.
7. It should come up with a dialog box saying MBL is licensed.
To finish installa�on, go back to Reason 1

How to Import License on RevisonFX:

6. Run the Setup- It will ask for the Name and serial.
7. Open up the txt file and copy the required items and paste them in the setup.
8. Con�nue with installa�on.

How to Import License on Video Copilot:

1. Run the setup and complete installa�on.
2. Open A�er Effects a�er installing.
3. Apply the plugin to an adjustment layer- It should come up with a dialogue box asking for
license.
4. Click step 3 (install license file)
5. Navigate to the crack folder loca�on and open the .lic file.
6. And you’re done.

If the dialog box doesn’t come up or you need to update your license:

6. Open effect controls

7. Click scene setup.
8. Help > Re-register Product
9. Press Yes
10. Con�nue with previous steps.

Reason 3: The plugin may have a separate Installer.

Like I said before when explaining Maxon in Reason 1, Some plugins may have a separate installer.
The only plugins I know that are like this are Maxon/Red Giant Plugins due to them merging in 2020.
Reason 4: The Plugin may not have been copied to the right folder
(AEX files only)

When Installing Plugins, some of them may not require licensing or are just AEX files rather than an
installer applica�on itself. To use these plugins, you must copy them into the right folder. This folder
directory is:

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe A�er Effects (YEAR)\Support Files\Plug-ins

Make sure the Adobe A�er Effects folder does not have CC next to is. This is the WRONG folder.

Reason 5: The plugin may be outdated.

If neither of the previous reasons helped with the installa�on, it might mean the plugins outdated or
it cannot be used with your version of adobe. There isn’t really a fix for this, you’ll just have to find
another license or a different version of the crack. You Might be able to find another license here.

If you cannot find another license, request it in my discord server a�er verifying your membership in
#verify.

htps://discord.gg/3BjRZ8MhRn

Extra: Flow Extension Not Working

Here is just a sec�on for the extension Flow. I will explain what to do if:

• The extension isn’t showing up.

• The extension shows up but won’t open.

Q: The extension won’t show up. What do I do?

A: This is a very common issue that people face when trying to install flow. The main reason for the
occurrence is that the Add Keys.reg file hasn’t worked properly. The first thing you can do rerun the
Add Keys.reg file, and let it add the windows registry keys again. If that doesn’t work, there’s one
more thing you can do. This may be a bit complex however you can request a video tutorial on how
to do it if you message me on discord. I will do a step by step guide on how to do it down below:
1. Open this directory: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions”
2. Open the flow folder inside it.
3. Look for a folder called "CSXS"
 4. Inside it, you'll see a "manifest.xml" file. Open it in Notepad & find 'Execu�on Environment' sec�on in
the xml code. It'll look something like this:

<ExecutionEnvironment>
<HostList>
<Host Name="AEFT" Version="[14.0,19.0]" />
</HostList>
<LocaleList>
<Locale Code="All" />
</LocaleList>
<RequiredRuntimeList>
<RequiredRuntime Name="CSXS" Version="6.0" />
</RequiredRuntimeList>
</ExecutionEnvironment>

5. Once you’ve found it, replace the whole sec�on with this code instead:

<ExecutionEnvironment>
<HostList>
<!-- AfterEffects -->
<Host Name="AEFT" Version="[15.0,99.9]" />

</HostList>
<LocaleList>
<Locale Code="All" />
</LocaleList>
<RequiredRuntimeList>
<RequiredRuntime Name="CSXS" Version="9.0" />
</RequiredRuntimeList>
</ExecutionEnvironment>

6. Once that is done, save the file (CTRL S) and close it

7. Rerun AE to see changes

Q: The extension won’t Open. What do I do?

Once again, this is a very common occurrence when installing the plugin, and I’ll do a step-by-step
guide on how to fix it. Only do this IF YOUR FLOW IS SHOWING IN THE EXTENSIONS TAB AND WILL
NOT OPEN.
1. Open this directory: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions”
2. Open the flow folder inside it.
3. Look for a folder called "CSXS"
4. Inside it, you'll see a "manifest.xml" file. Open it in Notepad & find 'Execu�on Environment' sec�on in
the xml code. Look at the first box here to get a visual guide.
5. Replace:
<Host Name="AEFT" Version="[13.5,20.0]" />

With:
<Host Name="AEFT" Version="[13.5,23.0]" />

6. Save the file (CTRL S) and close it

7. Open a brand new, blank notepad file
8. Copy and paste everything that is in this box to the notepad file:
 Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.6]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.7]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.8]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.5]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.9]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.10]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.11]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.12]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.13]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.14]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\So�ware\Adobe\CSXS.15]
"LogLevel"="1"
"PlayerDebugMode"="1"

9. Save the file and name it specifically “Keys.reg”. This should make the file you saved show up as a
windows registry file rather than a TXT file (notepad)
10. Once its saved, open the file and let it add the keys to the windows registry.
11. Rerun AE

If it s�ll doesn’t work:

1. Reopen “manifest.xml”
 2. Replace:
<Host Name="AEFT" Version="[13.5,23.0]" />

With:
<Host Name="AEFT" Version="[15.0,99.9]" />
3. Save the file (CTRL S) and then close it.
4. Rerun AE.

If there are further issues, feel free to open a �cket in the server

Server link: htps://discord.gg/3BjRZ8MhRn

Let me know if you want me to add any more plugins to this guide �