What It Does
Hacksaw applies displacement effects to footage using a random number sequencer, producing glitch-style distortion patterns. Apply it to a clip, change the seed value, and you get a completely different displacement pattern each time. The number of possible combinations is effectively unlimited.
It works in both After Effects and Premiere Pro, making it a solid option for editors who want to add distortion effects directly in their timeline without switching applications.
Key Features
Seed-based displacement generation. The core mechanic is a random number sequencer. Every seed value produces a distinct pattern, so you can dial in a specific look and reproduce it exactly, or keep randomizing until something clicks.
Built-in animation engine. Hacksaw includes an animation system that automatically drives the displacement over time. Crank it up for rapid glitch strobing, slow it down for a scanning distortion, or disable it entirely for static control via keyframes.
Adjustable effect controls. Intensity, direction, speed, chaos, edge behavior, and seed value are all exposed as individual parameters. The chaos slider, in particular, lets you push the randomness further than the base algorithm alone.
Native Apple Silicon support. Version 1.0.2 added native M-series chip support alongside compatibility with Premiere Pro and After Effects 2022.
Who It’s For
Hacksaw suits editors and motion designers working on music videos, trailers, horror content, or any project that calls for digital distortion and glitch aesthetics. Because the effect is applied directly in Premiere Pro, it fits naturally into a color or finishing pass without needing a round-trip to After Effects.
Pricing
Hacksaw is available on aescripts.com with a pay-what-you-want pricing model. A free trial is available for download before purchasing. Single User, Floating Server, and Render-Only license types are offered, with upgrade pricing available for qualifying existing users.