Changelog

Added Explore Page

We just launched the Explore page, your new hub for discovering all that Effect.app has to offer!

→ Browse all effects and curated presets in one organized gallery.

→ Save your favorites to your personal library (login required).

Find the Explore page in the left sidebar navigation and start exploring today.

New Dither Effect

Introduced a new Dither effect that applies advanced color quantization with precise dithering patterns and customizable palettes. This effect reduces color banding, adds artistic texture, and recreates the distinctive look of retro digital graphics.

→ 23 dithering patterns
→ 12 curated color palettes
→ Adjustable color count (2–18 colors)
→ Pixelation control with logarithmic scaling
→ RGB and Luma distance color matching
→ Gamma correction & dither strength sliders
→ Real-time preview with instant updates

Perfect for vintage game looks or adding a unique visual texture. The Dither effect works in real-time with both images and video.

Chrome Extension Release

You can now open any image from the web directly into Effect.app with our official Chrome Extension.

Right-click an image → "Edit in EFFECT.APP" → and it instantly opens in Effect.app with all effects available.

Added Emboss Effect

Introduced a new Emboss effect that transforms flat images into raised, dimensional surfaces with realistic lighting and shadows. This effect uses normal mapping and matcap technology to generate embossed textures that dynamically respond to light direction.

Key features:

→ 36 materials
→ Dynamic shadow casting
→ Configurable light direction
→ Highlight effects
→ Depth-based darkening
→ Gradient overlay

Ideal for metallic textures, embossed logos, and adding professional depth to design work. The Emboss effect provides real-time feedback as you adjust parameters.

Link and Random image import

You can now import images from a URL or get a random image from Unsplash.

This feature allows you to quickly test effects with different images without needing to download them first. Simply paste a link to any image or click the "Random Image" button to fetch a new photo from Unsplash.

Hover over the media loader to see the new import options, or use the keyboard shortcuts:

Ctrl/Cmd + alt + L: Import image from URL
Ctrl/Cmd + alt + O: Import random image

Mobile Export Improvements

On mobile, exports now open your system's native Share dialog instead of saving to files — making it easier to send output to apps, chats, or social platforms.

Preset Link Sharing

Share your creative configurations instantly with others through direct links. When you create a preset, you can now generate a shareable URL that opens Effect.app with your exact settings applied. Recipients can immediately see your effect configuration and use it as a starting point for their own work.

The sharing flow: copy preset → send link → recipient opens the effect with your settings loaded automatically (see example preset).

Figma Plugin Updates

The plugin window is now resizable, allowing users to drag it wider or narrower to better fit their workspace layout and design preferences.

Saved frames now appear as a fill on the selected layer without creating additional frame objects, maintaining a cleaner layer structure in your Figma files.

Mobile Interface Enhancements

Added essential controls to the mobile interface, including user authentication and the complete undo/redo system. Mobile users now have access to the same history management capabilities as desktop users, along with seamless login functionality for accessing premium features and saved presets.

NTSC Video Effect

Introduced a new analog television simulation effect that recreates the authentic look of NTSC broadcast video. This effect captures the characteristic artifacts, color bleeding, and signal degradation of analog video transmission, perfect for creating retro aesthetics or simulating vintage television broadcasts.


NTSC effect transforms digital content through the complete analog conversion cycle: digital input → simulated analog processing → digital output with authentic NTSC characteristics.

PRO Plan Launch

Launched the professional tier with enhanced capabilities for serious creators and commercial users. PRO subscribers gain access to watermark-free exports, preset saving and sharing, 4K resolution output, and the ability to export animated effects applied to still images.

Undo and Redo System

Complete action history management is now available across Effect.app. Every modification you make is tracked and reversible, eliminating the fear of experimenting with settings or accidentally breaking your work.

Keyboard shortcuts:
Ctrl/Cmd + Z: Undo last action
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z: Redo previously undone action

Tracked actions include parameter adjustments, layer visibility toggles, layer reordering, and layer deletions. The system maintains up to 50 steps in the history, providing extensive rollback capability for complex editing sessions.

Effect Dock Interface

Introduced a streamlined effect application system that dramatically speeds up creative exploration. The dock provides instant effect application with a single click, automatically generating randomized parameter settings to inspire creative directions.

Quick actions:
Click: Apply effect with random settings
Shift + Click: Apply effect to a new layer

Figma Plugin Release

Published the official Effect.app plugin for Figma, bringing real-time image and video effects directly into design workflows. Designers can now apply effects to their Figma assets without leaving their design environment, streamlining the creative process for digital design projects.

Available in the Figma Community: Effect.app Plugin

Enhanced Noise Effect Controls

Expanded the noise effect with granular control over texture characteristics and placement. The updated controls provide precise manipulation of grain appearance and behavior across different tonal ranges.

New parameters:
Size: Adjusts grain scale from fine speckles to chunky textures
Chroma: Controls color saturation in the grain (0 = monochrome, 1 = full color)
Shadows/Mids/Highlights: Targeted control over noise placement in specific tonal ranges
Speed: Animation control from static grain to drifting motion patterns

These controls enable more sophisticated noise application, from subtle film grain to dramatic textural overlays.

Mobile Platform Support

Launched full mobile support, bringing the complete Effect.app experience to smartphones and tablets. The mobile interface provides touch-optimized controls.

Dither Effect Pixel Control

Added pixel-size control to the dither effect, enabling precise adjustment of dithering granularity. You can now control the scale of dithering patterns, from fine sub-pixel dithering to large, visible pixel blocks for stylistic effect.