AEPX File

What are AEPX files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening an AEPX file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your AEPX files.

What is an AEPX file?

An .AEPX file is an After Effects Project XML file.

After Effects Project XML is a text-based project file format used by Adobe After Effects. It represents the same project-structure as the standard binary project file (.aep), storing compositions, layers, effects, footage references, timing, and project settings, but encoded in XML so that much of its content is human-readable.

After Effects produces .aepx files when you choose Save As → Save a Copy As XML (or an equivalent menu option), starting around version CS4. These XML files are useful for workflows that require automation, version control, or editing project metadata without launching After Effects. Projects saved in this format can be reopened inside After Effects and edited normally.

Although many parts of the XML are readable, some critical data is stored in elements or attributes such as those labeled with bdata:, which encode binary or structured data in hexadecimal. Names, file paths, composition and layer comments are exposed in string elements. The file begins with an XML declaration (<?xml…?>) followed by an <AfterEffectsProject xmlns="http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects" majorVersion="1" minorVersion="0"> root element.

How to open AEPX files

Important: Different programs may use files with the AEPX file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your AEPX file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested two different AEPX openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 17, 2026

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of AEPX files. Remember, different programs may use AEPX files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about AEPX file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.