Playbook by MediaBistro | Tools & Software for Creative Professionals
Adobe After Effects and Spline serve different corners of the animation world. After Effects dominates video production with professional compositing and motion graphics capabilities, while Spline focuses on creating 3D web experiences with real-time interactivity. Your choice depends on whether you're producing video content or building interactive web experiences.
Adobe After Effects has been the backbone of motion graphics production for over two decades. Studios, agencies, and freelancers rely on it for everything from animated titles to complex visual effects compositing. The software integrates tightly with Premiere Pro, Illustrator, and Photoshop, making it a natural fit for video-focused creative teams.
After Effects excels at layered composition work, particle systems, and frame-by-frame animation control. The software includes robust rotoscoping tools, advanced keying for green screen work, and hundreds of built-in effects. Third-party plugin support expands capabilities even further, with tools like Red Giant and Video Copilot adding specialized functions. The learning curve is steep, but the depth of control rewards professionals who need precise timing and sophisticated effects.
Spline brings 3D design into the browser with a focus on web designers and developers. The platform lets you model, animate, and add interactivity to 3D objects without leaving your web browser. What sets Spline apart is how it treats 3D design as a native web format rather than an export target. You can collaborate in real time and see changes instantly.
The tool simplifies 3D workflows that traditionally required desktop applications like Blender or Cinema 4D. Spline includes physics simulations, material editing, and event-based interactions that respond to user input. Export options include code snippets for React, vanilla JavaScript, or simply embedded iframes. The interface feels familiar to anyone who has used modern design tools, making 3D accessible to designers who primarily work in 2D. Performance stays smooth because everything runs on WebGL.
Video files for broadcast, film, and social media
Interactive 3D for web browsers and applications
Timeline-based with keyframe interpolation and expressions
Real-time 3D with state-based interactions and triggers
Industry-leading with hundreds of effects and unlimited layers
Basic post-processing for 3D scenes and materials
Limited to extruded shapes and imported 3D files
Full modeling suite with primitives, booleans, and sculpting
Project sharing via Creative Cloud with version control
Real-time multiplayer editing in browser with live cursors
Extensive tutorials, courses, and decades of community knowledge
Growing documentation with interactive examples and templates
Spline offers significantly lower entry costs and lets you test full capabilities before committing. After Effects requires a larger budget but provides tools that professionals can bill against immediately. The free Spline tier works well for learning and portfolio pieces, while After Effects demands investment upfront.
These tools solve different creative problems and rarely compete head to head. After Effects belongs in video production pipelines where you need precise control over every frame and extensive post-production capabilities. Its strength lies in compositing multiple elements and creating polished motion graphics for linear playback. The software assumes you're rendering final video files.
Spline targets a newer space where 3D becomes a responsive web element rather than a rendered asset. Choose it when your deliverable lives in a browser and needs to respond to user interaction. The real-time workflow and collaborative features make it ideal for teams building interactive experiences. If your project ends up as an MP4 file, stick with After Effects. If users will click and explore it, Spline makes more sense.
