After Effects 26 Drops + The Motion Designer DNA Test | Motion Mondays

After Effects 26.0 introduces native 3D tools, new material support, and AI‑enhanced workflows that could reshape motion designers' careers. The video covers the major updates, explores three insightful articles—Michelle Higa Fox on the generalist mindset, Buck's 2026 predictions, and Vucko's Motion DNA Test that asks whether you can identify a brand purely from its motion—and showcases a luxury brand ad, Adobe's evolving Project Neo, and free tools for After Effects and Blender. It also highlights an artist blending AI with traditional animation, celebrates the Student of the Week, and previews a Midwest motion conference. 00:00:00 Coming Up 00:35 Motion Designer Reacts - Breaking Down Title Sequences 01:21 Free Black Hole Plugin - After Effects Gets Cosmic 02:02 Quad Adder for Blender - Free Mesh Flow Helper 02:41 School of Motion News - Portfolio Reviews and All Access 03:20 Three Articles You Should Read - The Generalist's Advantage 05:09 Artist Highlights - Distinctive Motion in Action 06:59 Project Neo Gets Motion - Adobe's 3D Tool Evolves 07:55 AI Meets Traditional Tools - New Hybrid Workflows 09:15 Student Spotlight - Gavin Feiritéar's 3D Journey 09:51 Making Midwest Motion - One-Day Conference in Columbus 10:30 After Effects 26.0 Drops - Big Updates Finally Here 12:00 That's A Wrap!