Contents

Part 1. The Built-in Detail-Preserving Upscale Effect
Part 2. Super-Resolution via Third-Party Plugins
Part 3. Best AI Upscaling Alternative to After Effects
Part 4. FAQs about Upscaling Video in After Effects

How to Upscale Video in Adobe After Effects (Step-by-Step Guide)

June 05, 2026Jenny Ryan

In terms of resizing and improving video quality, Adobe After Effects provides more sophisticated tools than Adobe Premiere Pro. Even though Premiere Pro is extremely capable of editing and performing quick adjustments, After Effects is geared more towards accuracy, visual effects, and elaborate image processing. This makes it a preferable option for upscaling, particularly if you want to keep intricate details, lessen blurriness, and get cleaner results.

A major benefit of After Effects is its Detail-Preserving Upscale tool, which is made to retain image sharpness when resolution is increased. Unlike the simple scaling in Premiere Pro, this tool studies the image and reduces quality loss. It is therefore a perfect choice for VFX artists and motion designers who work with high-resolution productions.

This article will show you how to upscale video in After Effects with the use of the native features, as well as with the help of advanced techniques to get the best image quality possible.

Method 1. The Built-in Detail-Preserving Upscale Effect.
Method 2. Super-Resolution via Third-Party Plugins
Best AI Upscaling Alternative to After Effects
FAQs about Upscaling Video in After Effects

Part 1. The Built-in Detail-Preserving Upscale Effect

The Detail-Preserving Upscale effect in Adobe After Effects is a specialized tool that not only enlarges your video but also preserves the fine details to a great extent. This technique is different from simple resizing as it effectively controls the blurriness and retains the sharpness of the edges, thereby making it a trustworthy option for upscaling video quality within After Effects.

Step 1.

Begin by launching Adobe After Effects and then importing your video through the project panel. Afterward, drop your video into the timeline to automatically make a composition out of it.

Step 2.

Highlight the video track that you want to work on in the timeline. Then, from the top menu, choose Effect > Distort > Detail-Preserving Upscale.

Step 3.

Under the Effects Controls tab, find Scale and modify it according to the resolution you want to achieve (e.g., 200% if you want to double the size).

Step 4.

Use the Detail control as a simple means of sharpening the image. Continue increasing the slider until you detect that noise and undesired artifacts start to appear.

Step 5.

Use the Alpha adjustment knob to perfect edge handling, especially in cases with graphics or transparencies. Next, preview your output in the composition pane in order to view the changes.

Step 6.

Keep on tweaking your parameters until you get the quality you want. Produce your upscaled movie either through Render Queue or Media Encoder.

After following these instructions, you won't have any problems doing an After Effects upscale video. Plus, you will even be capable of retaining more clarity and details.

Part 2. Super-Resolution via Third-Party Plugins

Topaz Video AI (Best for AI Upscaling)

Topaz Video AI ranks among the most powerful AI video upscalers available on the market. It has recently been made available as a plugin for After Effects, which lets you improve video quality right inside the program without having to export to another software. It employs machine learning to restore details, eliminate noise, and enhance the clarity of the video much more than standard upscaling methods.

Step 1.

Run Topaz Video AI installation on your system, and sign in to your account. Go to Plugins > Install After Effects Plugin within the Topaz app.

Step 2.

Launch the After Effects program and bring your video files. Add the imported video onto the timeline, which will automatically create a composition.

Step 3.

Head to the Effects & Presets tab, then find the folder of the Topaz Video AI plugin. Drag and drop the plugin on your video layer.

Step 4.

Choose the AI model that you want to use (Enhancement, Sharpen, or Deblur) from the Effect Controls panel. You can decide on the scale factor, detail restoration, and noise reduction levels, etc.

Step 5.

Take a look at the result and adjust the setting. Save a very high-resolution video file.

Boris FX Sapphire (Best for Professional Enhancement + Effects)

Boris FX Sapphire is a set of professional plugins featuring 250+ effects and image enhancement tools that are primarily used in the film and visual effects (VFX) industry.

Although it doesn't function only as an upscaler, it greatly increases the perceived quality through the use of such techniques as sharpening, glow edge enhancement, and high-level compositing tools.

Step 1.

Download a Sapphire plugin and restart After Effects. Launch After Effects and get a video.

Step 2.

Put your film on the track and pick the video clip.

Step 3.

Select Effect > Sapphire and choose an option (like Sharpen, Glow, or Edge Enhance).

Step 4.

Go to the Effect Controls panel to change parameters. To make the image clearer, raise the sharpness or other detail-related settings.

Step 5.

Adjust glow, contrast, or grain settings to achieve the best visual quality. Watch your video and keep making changes.

Step 6.

Save your improved video for final usage.

Part 3. Best AI Upscaling Alternative to After Effects

If Adobe After Effects overwhelms you with its complexity or time-consuming process for upscaling, here is a strong AI-driven alternative that can do the job very well and offer high-quality results with minimum manual efforts: Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate. In contrast to After Effects, which needs manual adjustments and fine-tuning, Aiseesoft generates upscaling, enhancement, and restoration of videos through automated AI models, taking just a few clicks. This program is very suitable for those who desire quick, neat, and professional-looking results but without complex workflows.

Downloads

Video Converter Ultimate

Improves video quality and clarity automatically, without any adjustments needed
Brightens, sharpens, and enhances the contrast instantaneously through artificial intelligence
Eliminates the noise and recovers the lost details
Upscales the frame rates to offer a smooth viewing experience
Enhances multiple videos simultaneously without changing the settings
GPU acceleration allows faster rendering, even for high-resolution videos

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How to Upscale Videos with Aiseesoft VCU (No Minimal Effort)

Step 1.

Click the download button to install Aiseesoft VCU on your PC. From the toolbar, choose Video Enhancer and hit the Add Files to add your video file.

Step 2.

Select an AI model from the menu that suits your requirements, like General Enhancement or Video Denoise Model.

Step 3.

See the enhanced video output and set your desired output format and resolution.

Step 4.

Click on Convert All or Export Full Video to run the AI algorithm automatically.

By using this tool, you can achieve professional-level enhancement without complicated workflows, making it a strong solution for After Effects video upscaler needs.

Part 4. FAQs about Upscaling Video in After Effects

Does composition size affect upscaling results in After Effects?

Yes, composition resolution is what scales the footage after all. So if your comp setting is above your source. After Effects will be scaling the source for you automatically. In that case, sharpness may be affected.

Should I pre-compose before applying Detail-Preserving Upscale?

Sometimes, yes. Isolating effects and scaling by pre-composing, especially when your clip has multiple effects, can even be one of the upsides that will make the upscale both cleaner and marked by better control.

Why does my preview look low quality even after upscaling?

For performance reasons, After Effects may be rendering the previews in lower resolution (Half or Quarter). To get the actual quality, you need to set your preview to Full.

Conclusion

Upscaling video in After Effects is a great way to improve a low-res image, as the tool will enhance details through increased sharpness and clarity by means of built-in features and good settings. If done correctly, you will be able to get high-quality, natural results that are even professionally usable.

Acquiring After Effects upscale video skills will not only greatly improve your editing workflow, but also upgrade the overall quality of your output.