Depth Scanner 1.15.6 Mac download

The Depth Map effect is where Depth Scanner earns its keep. It analyzes each frame and separates the subject from the background based on proximity to the camera. Feed that map into a 3D parallax setup, and you get convincing motion without a multi-camera rig.

Controls stay straightforward: pick your source layer, let the plugin calculate depth, then adjust falloff to taste. The output feeds directly into your comp's 3D channels or a displacement map. For editors who need depth scanner after effects free download mac setups, this plugin does the heavy lifting without burying you in sliders.

What changed in version 1.15.6

The current build refines the AI model behind the depth calculation. Earlier versions sometimes struggled with high-contrast edges or fast motion between frames. 1.15.6 handles those transitions with better consistency. The interface stayed the same — no new panels, no added sliders — so the update is purely under the hood. If you already had a project set up with an older build, the settings carry forward without needing to re-tweak.

How it fits into your workflow

Depth Scanner lives inside After Effects, so it inherits everything the host app offers. The depth map it generates works as a grayscale or alpha channel, which means you can pipe it into any effect that reads luminance or transparency. Common pairings include:

• Camera Lens Blur — map the depth channel to the blur radius for realistic focus falloff.
• Displacement Map — create a subtle parallax on a still photo by displacing separate layers.
• 3D Channel Extract — export the depth data for use in external compositing tools.
• Adjustment layers — apply color grading or contrast changes only to the foreground or background.

macOS features like Quick Actions in Finder don't interact with the plugin, but After Effects' own window snapping and virtual desktops help keep the plugin panel accessible while you work on a timeline. If you use multiple displays, drag the Depth Scanner preview onto a second monitor to watch the depth map update in real time.

A typical session with it

You open After Effects, create a new comp, and drop in a short clip — maybe a person walking through a room. The first step is to duplicate the layer. On the top copy, apply Depth Scanner from the Effects panel. It runs through the first frame, and a grayscale preview shows up: white for close objects, black for far. You adjust the falloff slider until the edge between the person and the background wall looks clean.

Next, add Camera Lens Blur to the same layer. In the Blur Map section, choose the Depth Scanner output as the channel. The scene now blurs the background while keeping the person in focus. If the camera moved during the clip, scrub through the timeline to check for flicker.

For a parallax effect, you go the other way. Keep the depth map on a separate layer, add a Displacement Map effect, and set the map to the depth channel. Duplicate the background layer, offset it slightly in X or Y, and link the displacement intensity to the depth map. Play it back — the foreground shifts more than the background, creating a 3D feel without rendering a full 3D scene.

If you work with photos, the process is identical but faster. One frame, one depth calculation, and you can apply a motion blur or a gradient transition tied to the depth. The result exports as a standard After Effects comp, ready for final render.

Requirements recap

Depth Scanner 1.15.6 runs as an Adobe After Effects plugin. It is a single-language tool in English. The installer follows the standard plugin placement for macOS. No extra background services or licensing tools are required.

• macOS version not specified
• Architecture not specified
• Adobe After Effects