In order to use an After Effects template you will need a copy of Adobe After Effects on a Mac or PC computer. If you’re not already familiar, After Effects it is an incredibly deep, yet approachable computer program used for motion graphics and VFX work. Some designers spend their entire careers mastering After Effects, but the majority of After Effects users simply use it to create simple graphics or visual effects for videos.

After Effects is one of the programs included in the Creative Cloud by Adobe. Unlike other software manufacturers, Adobe sells their software in a subscription pack called the Creative Cloud. Instead of you purchasing the software outright, you actually license their entire library of softwares for a fee each month. While this may seem strange, it actually saves artists a lot of money in the long run.

If you don’t already have After Effects on your computer, you can download a free 30 day trial from Adobe. You can fully customize and export videos during your trial, so if you simply purchased an After Effects template with no intentions of using the software again in the future, you might be able to get by without actually subscribing to the Creative Cloud.

In order to use an After Effects template, you will need an After Effects project file along with any assets (video, pictures, music, etc.) that your project file may use. It’s best to think about your After Effects template as a video project. Just because you have the project file doesn’t mean you have all of the video assets on your computer. Some templates may include video, photos or illustration graphics along with the template at no additional cost. Be sure to check what each templates includes in the description before downloading.