Templates · Beginner tutorial 2026
How to Use Plainly
Plainly is a templates tool built for Agencies and Developers. This step-by-step tutorial walks you through setup and your first project — no prior editing experience required. You can follow along free (Free trial).
Plainly tutorial: step by step
Upload AE template
Head to the Plainly site and start with the free option (Free trial). Once you are in, upload ae template — this is where most of your creative decisions begin, so take a moment to explore the interface before diving in.
Define data variables
Next, define data variables. Lean on API access to speed this up. Small adjustments here have the biggest impact on how professional your final video looks.
Trigger via API
Finally, trigger via api. Plainly handles the heavy lifting here, but always preview the result before you publish so the pacing, captions, and audio line up. This is the stage where Plainly shines for agencies.
Tips to get more out of Plainly
- • Use After Effects template automation to work faster — it's one of the reasons Plainly is rated 4.2/5.
- • Use API access to work faster — it's one of the reasons Plainly is rated 4.2/5.
- • Use Bulk rendering to work faster — it's one of the reasons Plainly is rated 4.2/5.
Common mistakes to avoid
- • Requires After Effects templates
- • Developer-friendly but not no-code
Works with your stack
Plainly integrates with After Effects, REST API, AWS S3 — handy when you are stitching it into an existing faceless YouTube or short-form pipeline.
Ready to try Plainly?
Best for agencies and dev teams automating branded video production at scale.
Start Plainly Free →Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Plainly tutorial FAQ
Is Plainly hard to learn?
No. Most people create their first templates project within an hour. Plainly is best for Agencies and Developers, and the 3-step workflow above covers everything you need to get started.
Do I need editing experience to use Plainly?
Not really. The developer-friendly video automation engine for template-driven video production. The interface is built so beginners can produce a finished video without prior editing skills, though features like After Effects template automation reward a little practice.
Is there a free way to try Plainly?
Yes — Free trial. That's more than enough to follow this tutorial end-to-end before deciding whether to upgrade. See the full Plainly pricing for paid tier details.
What can I make with Plainly?
Plainly is designed for Agencies, Developers, Video automation teams. It integrates with After Effects, REST API, AWS S3, so it slots neatly into most faceless YouTube and short-form workflows.