# Installation
This guide walks you through installing the LottieFiles plugin for Adobe After Effects, opening it for the first time, and granting the script permissions it needs to run.

## Before you start

- **Adobe After Effects CC 2015 or later** (requires AE host version 13.0+) {/* [needs review] confirm minimum AE version */}
- **A LottieFiles account** — free; you'll sign in after installation to browse and import animations
- **macOS or Windows** — the plugin supports both platforms {/* [needs review] confirm cross-platform support */}

## Choose your installation method

The plugin is available from three places. Pick one — the result is the same.

### Option A — Adobe Exchange (Creative Cloud Marketplace)

1. Open the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app.
2. Go to **Marketplace** and search for "LottieFiles for After Effects".
3. Click **Install**.

Creative Cloud installs the plugin for you. Skip ahead to **Opening the plugin** below.

### Option B — LottieFiles website

1. Visit [lottiefiles.com/plugins/after-effects](https://lottiefiles.com/plugins/after-effects).
2. Click **Download**.
3. You'll get a `.zxp` file. Install it using ZXP Installer (next section).

### Option C — aescripts

1. Visit the LottieFiles plugin page on [aescripts.com](https://aescripts.com). {/* [needs review] confirm exact aescripts URL */}
2. Download the `.zip` file and extract it. The folder contains a `.zxp` file.
3. Install the `.zxp` using ZXP Installer (next section).

## Installing with ZXP Installer (Options B and C)

ZXP Installer is a free utility from aescripts that installs `.zxp` extensions into Adobe apps.

1. Download and install [ZXP Installer](https://aescripts.com/learn/zxp-installer/) if you don't have it yet.
2. Quit After Effects if it's running.
3. Open ZXP Installer and select **Adobe After Effects** from the application dropdown.
4. Drag your `.zxp` file into the ZXP Installer window.
5. Wait for the success confirmation. The plugin is now installed.

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## Opening the plugin in After Effects

1. Open After Effects.
2. Go to **Window > Extensions > LottieFiles**.

The LottieFiles panel opens, docked or floating depending on your workspace setup.

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        alt="After Effects Window menu with Extensions > LottieFiles highlighted"
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## First-time setup — Allow scripts to write files

The first time you open the plugin, you may see a prompt about script permissions. Resolve it once and the plugin works from then on.

1. In After Effects, go to **Edit > Preferences > Scripts & Expressions** (macOS: **After Effects > Settings > Scripts & Expressions**).
2. Check **Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network**.
3. Click **OK**.
4. Return to the LottieFiles panel and click **Reload**.

{
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        src="/images/screenshots/ae-getting-started-scripts-preference.webp"
        alt="After Effects Scripts and Expressions preferences with Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network highlighted"
        caption="Enable script and network access in After Effects preferences"
        zoom
        variant="default"
      />
  ) : null
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## Verifying the result

You should see the LottieFiles panel inside After Effects, showing either a sign-in screen or your workspace if you're already signed in. From here you can browse animations, import them into compositions, and export your After Effects work as Lottie.

## Troubleshooting

- **Plugin doesn't appear under Window > Extensions** — Confirm After Effects was fully closed before installing the `.zxp`. Reinstall via ZXP Installer if needed.
- **"Allow Scripts" checkbox is greyed out** — Quit After Effects and reopen it. On Windows, opening After Effects as Administrator the first time can resolve this. {/* [needs review] verify Windows admin-launch workaround */}
- **Plugin loads but shows a blank screen** — Check your internet connection. The plugin needs network access to load the LottieFiles workspace.