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AEPX File - What is a .aepx file and how do I open it?
Learn about .AEPX files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a AEPX file? An AEPX file is a video project created by Adobe After Effects, an application for creating special effects. It contains references to video assets and project settings in the XML standard, including compositions, effects, keyframes, and layer configurations, but does not embed media files directly (it points to their locations). AEPX files are an alternative project format to the standard .AEP binary format.
More Information AEPX file open in Adobe After Effects 2025 After Effects saves projects in the AEP format by default, which loads faster and takes up less space than AEPX files. However, the AEPX format can be useful in special cases. For example, AEPX files are helpful for automation workflows, manual editing, or saving a readable project backup (you can open and modify them with a text or XML editor). To save an AEPX file, go to File → Save As → Save a Copy As XML... in After Effects. After saving, you can reopen and continue editing the project just like with a standard AEP file.
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DeveloperAdobe Systems
Popularity3.7 | 19 Votes
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.AEPX File Extension
After Effects XML Project
| Developer | Adobe Systems |
| Popularity |
3.7 | 19 Votes |
What is a AEPX file?
An AEPX file is a video project created by Adobe After Effects, an application for creating special effects. It contains references to video assets and project settings in the XML standard, including compositions, effects, keyframes, and layer configurations, but does not embed media files directly (it points to their locations). AEPX files are an alternative project format to the standard .AEP binary format.
More Information
AEPX file open in Adobe After Effects 2025
After Effects saves projects in the AEP format by default, which loads faster and takes up less space than AEPX files. However, the AEPX format can be useful in special cases. For example, AEPX files are helpful for automation workflows, manual editing, or saving a readable project backup (you can open and modify them with a text or XML editor).
To save an AEPX file, go to File → Save As → Save a Copy As XML... in After Effects. After saving, you can reopen and continue editing the project just like with a standard AEP file.
How to open a AEPX file
You can only open AEPX files with Adobe After Effects (Windows and macOS). To open an AEPX file, select File → Open Project... .
Since AEPX files are text-based, you can also open and edit details in the files with an XML or text editor. However, you may need to change the .aepx file extension to .txt to open the file.
How to convert a AEPX file
Only Adobe After Effects can convert AEPX files. Possible formats you can convert AEPX files to include:
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Programs that open AEPX files
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Category: Video Files
Updated: June 13, 2025