How to Convert an After Effects File to a Screensaver

A skilled After Effects artist can create stunning visual effects using a combination of video, photo and graphic elements. Unlike Adobe Photoshop, which can only create still images, Adobe After Effects adds the dimension of time and movement to create movies that can be exported as digital video files. Showcase your After Effects projects as a personal screensaver, or create screensavers to sell or share with others. Download and install software that will take your exported After Effects video file and convert that file to a self-installing screensaver program.

Create a Screensaver with Video Screensaver

1. Step 1

   Download Video Screensaver using the Resource link provided.

2. Step 2

   Select your project composition in After Effects, then choose “Composition” and “Add to Render Queue” from the main menu.

3. Step 3

   Click the “Lossless” link from the “Output Module” and select either AVI, H.264, MPEG-2 or Quicktime Movie from the “Format” pull-down menu.

4. Step 4

   Click the “Render” button to export your composition to the chosen video format.

5. Step 5

   Install Video Screensaver by double-clicking the Video_Screensaver_Setup.exe file.

6. Step 6

   Select “rodflashvideos” from the “Screen Saver” pull-down menu in the Screen Saver Settings window that automatically launches when you install Video Screensaver.

7. Step 7

   Click the “Open” button from the Video Screensaver program window and select the After Effects video file you exported.

8. Step 8

   Click the “OK” button.

Create a Screensaver with InstantStorm

9. Step 1

   Download InstantStorm (see Resources).

10. Step 2

    Install InstantStorm by double-clicking the InstantStormSetup.exe file.

11. Step 3

    Select your project composition in After Effects, then choose “File,” “Export” and “Adobe Flash Player (SWF)” from the After Effects menu. Choose your target folder and click the “Save” button.

12. Step 4

    Launch InstantStorm. Close the initial window displayed and enter the title for your screensaver using the Screensaver Title field.

13. Step 5

    Load the SWF file exported from After Effects by clicking the “Browse” button.

14. Step 6

    Create the self-installing EXE file by clicking the “Create” button from the “Publishing” tab.

Create a Screensaver with Axialis Screensaver Producer

15. Step 1

    Download Axialis Screensaver Producer (see Resources).

16. Step 2

    Install the program by double-clicking the Axscrprod.exe file.

17. Step 3

    Select your project composition in After Effects, then choose “File,” “Export” and “Adobe Flash Player (SWF)” from the After Effects menu. Choose your target folder and click the “Save” button.

18. Step 4

    Launch Axialis Screensaver Producer and select the “New” icon.

19. Step 5

    Choose “Flash Based Screensaver” from the “New Screensaver Project” menu. Click the “Next” button to continue.

20. Step 6

    Enter the title of your screensaver in the Title field.

21. Step 7

    Click the “Finish” button.

22. Step 8

    Import your After Effects SWF file by selecting the “…” button.

23. Step 9

    Select the “Make Install” button and click the “Next” button until you see the “Go and Compile!” button. Create the self-installing EXE file by clicking this button.