Professional reviews and technical benchmarks highlight that while v18.0 pushed boundaries, it remained highly resource-dependent. After Effects 18.0 is here! - Adobe Community
For the first time, After Effects could utilize multiple CPU cores to render frames in parallel, rather than processing them sequentially on a single core. Adobe After Effects 2021 v18.0
Building on the v17.5 update, version 18.0 introduced tools to make 3D navigation and object placement more intuitive. Building on the v17
Adobe After Effects 2021 (v18.0), released in March 2021, focused on modernizing the application's core architecture through two major shifts: a redesigned and the introduction of Multi-Frame Rendering (MFR) . This version aimed to bridge the gap between 2D motion graphics and professional 3D compositing while addressing long-standing performance bottlenecks on multi-core systems. 1. Architectural Overhaul: Multi-Frame Rendering (MFR) reusable templates for editors.
A "gaming-style" engine designed from the ground up to replace the legacy OpenGL Fast Draft mode. It prioritizes interactive performance over visual fidelity, allowing for fluid camera movements in complex 3D scenes.
Motion Graphics Templates (.mogrt) were upgraded to allow users to swap out images and videos directly within Adobe Premiere Pro . This turned After Effects projects into dynamic, reusable templates for editors.