: It may not load or may cause crashes in After Effects CC 2021 or later (versions 18.0+) due to changes in software architecture.

The is more than just software; it is a milestone in motion graphics history. While Maxon has moved the needle forward with fluid dynamics and GPU acceleration, many freelancers still keep a "time capsule" rig running AE CC 2018 specifically for the snappy, reliable workflow of 2.2.

It relies heavily on CPU processing, though it utilizes basic GPU acceleration for previewing.

Isolate the particle layer to avoid rendering heavy background assets simultaneously.

What (smoke, fire, magic trails, UI elements) you are trying to build?