Premation: open-source AI motion editor launches as After Effects alternative

Premation launched on Product Hunt on July 30, 2026, as an open-source alternative to Adobe After Effects. The tool is described as AI-native, meaning AI is built into the core creation workflow rather than added as a separate layer on top of a conventional editor.

The motion editor combines a timeline-based interface with 2D and 3D motion capabilities and a built-in AI assistant called Motion Copilot. The copilot takes plain-language descriptions of the animation you want — “a logo that slides in from the left with a bounce at the end” — and generates keyframes, applies easing, and sets up looping behavior on the canvas. The output is editable, so designers can treat AI-generated motion as a starting point rather than a finished product.

Interactivity is handled through a visual State Machine system. You can wire hover, click, and scroll-triggered behaviors without writing code, which makes it viable for product designers building interactive UI elements in addition to motion designers working on standalone animations. Exports are Lottie JSON or dotLottie files, ready for use in web, mobile, and desktop products.

The open-source model is the significant structural choice here. Most professional motion design tools with this feature set are proprietary and subscription-based, which creates an access barrier for smaller teams and individual designers. Premation makes the base platform available for modification and self-hosting, with a Windows build available at launch and a Mac version announced as in progress.

For designers who currently use After Effects primarily for UI animation and motion assets — and who have been waiting for a more accessible, web-friendly option — Premation is worth watching. The open-source model also means the community can extend it in ways the core team does not.