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
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. Adobe After Effects 2021 v18.0
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. enabling more efficient project optimization.
A diagnostic tool designed to help users identify which specific layers and effects are slowing down playback, enabling more efficient project optimization. Adobe After Effects 2021 v18.0