After Effects CS6 Scripting Guide

After%20Effects%20CS6%20Scripting%20Guide

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After%20Effects%20CS6%20Scripting%20Guide

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Overview
After Effects scripting reference
Examples

ADOBE® AFTER EFFECTS® CS6

SCRIPTING GUIDE

DRAFT

Adobe® After Effects® CS6 Scripting Guide

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Overview

Introduction to scripting in After Effects

A script is a series of commands that tells an application to perform a series of operations. You can use scripts

in most Adobe applications to automate repetitive tasks, perform complex calculations, and even use some

functionality not directly exposed through the graphical user interface. For example, you can direct After

Effects to reorder the layers in a composition, find and replace source text in text layers, or send an e-mail

message when rendering is complete.

See “Examples” on page 191 for examples of what scripts can do.

Although both the After Effects expressions language and the After Effects ExtendScript scripting language are

based on JavaScript, the expressions features and scripting features of After Effects are separate and distinct.

Expressions cannot access information from scripts (such as variables and functions). Whereas a script tells an

application to do something, an expression says that a property is something. However, because the After

Effects expression language and ExtendScript are both based on JavaScript, familiarity with either one is very

helpful in understanding the other.

The heart of a scriptable application is the object model. When you use Adobe After Effects, you create projects,

compositions, and render queue items along with all of the elements that they contain: footage, images, solids,

layers, masks, effects, and properties. Each of these items, in scripting terms, is an object. This guide describes

the ExtendScript objects that have been defined for After Effects projects.

The After Effects object model is composed of a project, items, compositions, layers, and render queue items.

Each object has its own special attributes, and every object in an After Effects project has its own identity

(although not all are accessible to scripting). You should be familiar with the After Effects object model in order

to create scripts.

NOTE: JavaScript objects normally referred to as “properties” are consistently called “attributes” in this guide, to

avoid confusion with After Effects’ own definition of a property (an animatable value of an effect, mask, or

transform within an individual layer).

Nearly all of what scripting can accomplish replicates what can be done by means of the After Effects graphical

user interface. A thorough knowledge of the application itself and its graphical user interface is essential to

understanding how to use scripting in After Effects.

The ExtendScript language

After Effects scripts use the Adobe ExtendScript language, which is an extended form of JavaScript used by

several Adobe applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. ExtendScript implements the

JavaScript language according to the ECMA-262 specification. The After Effects scripting engine supports the

3rd Edition of the ECMA-262 Standard, including its notational and lexical conventions, types, objects, expres-

sions, and statements. ExtendScript also implements the E4X ECMA-357 specification, which defines access

to data in XML format.

ExtendScript defines a global debugging object, the dollar ($) object, and a reporting utility for ExtendScript

elements, the ExtendScript Reflection interface.

Overview The ExtendScript Toolkit (ESTK)

File and Folder Objects: Because path name syntax is very different in different operating systems, Adobe

ExtendScript defines File and Folder objects to provide platform-independent access to the underlying file

system.

ScriptUI User Interface Module: The ExtendScript ScriptUI module provides the ability to create and interact

with user interface elements. ScriptUI provides an object model for windows and UI control elements that you

can use to create a user interface for your scripts.

Tools and Utilities: In addition, ExtendScript provides tools and features such as a localization utility for

providing user-interface string values in different languages and global functions for displaying short

messages in dialog boxes (alert, confirm, and prompt).

External Communication: ExtendScript provides a Socket object that allows you to communicate with remote

systems from your After Effects scripts.

Interapplication Communication: ExtendScript provides a common scripting environment for all Adobe

applications, and allows interapplication communication through scripts.

The ExtendScript Toolkit (ESTK)

After Effects includes a script editor and debugger, the ExtendScript Toolkit (ESTK), which provides a conve-

nient interface for creating and testing your own scripts.

To start the ESTK, choose File > Scripts > Open Script Editor.

If you choose to use another text editor to create, edit, and save scripts, be sure to choose an application that

does not automatically add header information when saving files and that saves with Unicode (UTF-8)

encoding. In many text editors, you can set preferences for saving with UTF-8 encoding. Some applications

(such as Microsoft Word) by default add header information to files that can cause “line 0” errors in scripts,

causing them to fail.

For detailed information on the ExtendScript Toolkit, see the JavaScript Tools Guide.

The .jsx and .jsxbin file-name extensions

ExtendScript script files are distinguished by the .jsx file-name extension, a variation on the standard .js

extension used with JavaScript files. After Effects scripts must include the .jsx file extension in order to be

properly recognized by the application. Any UTF-8-encoded text file with the .jsx extension is recognized as

an ExtendScript file.

You can use the ExtendScript Toolkit to export a binary version of an ExtendScript file, which has the

extension .jsxbin. Such a binary file may not be usable with all of the scripting integration features in After

Effects.

Activating full scripting features

The default is for scripts to not be allowed to write files or send or receive communication over a network. To

allow scripts to write files and communicate over a network, choose Edit > Preferences > General (Windows)

or After Effects > Preferences > General (Mac OS), and select the Allow Scripts To Write Files And Access

Network option.

Overview Loading and running scripts

Any After Effects script that contains an error preventing it from being completed generates an error message

from the application. This error message includes information about the nature of the error and the line of the

script on which it occurred. The ExtendScript Toolkit (ESTK) debugger can open automatically when the

application encounters a script error. This feature is disabled by default so that casual users do not encounter

it. To activate this feature, choose Preferences > General, and select Enable JavaScript Debugger.

Loading and running scripts

Running scripts directly from the File > Scripts menu

When After Effects starts, it searches the Scripts folder for scripts to load. Loaded scripts are available from

the File > Scripts menu.

To run a loaded script, choose File > Scripts > [script name].

If you edit a script while After Effects is running, you must save your changes for the changes to be applied. If

you place a script in the Scripts folder while After Effects is running, you must restart After Effects for the

script to appear in the Scripts menu, though you can immediately run the new script using the Run Script File

command.

Running scripts using File > Scripts > Run Script File

To run a script that has not been loaded, choose File > Scripts > Run Script File, locate and select a script, and

click Open.

Running scripts from the command line, a batch file, or an AppleScript script

If you are familiar with how to run a script from the command line in Windows or via AppleScript, you can

send a script directly to the open After Effects application, so that the application automatically runs the script.

To run a script from the command line, call afterfx.exe from the command line. Use the -r switch and the full

path of the script to run as arguments. This command does not open a new instance of the After Effects appli-

cation; it runs the script in the existing instance.

Example (for Windows):

afterfx -r c:\script_path\example_script.jsx

You can use this command-line technique—together with the software that comes with a customizable

keyboard—to bind the invocation of a script to a keyboard shortcut.

Following are examples of Windows command-line entries that will send an After Effects script to the appli-

cation without using the After Effects user interface to execute the script.

In the first example, you copy and paste your After Effects script directly on the command line and then run

it. The script text appears in quotation marks following the afterfx.exe -s command:

afterfx.exe -s "alert("You just sent an alert to After Effects")"

Alternatively, you can specify the location of the JSX file to be executed. For example:

afterfx.exe -r c:\myDocuments\Scripts\yourAEScriptHere.jsx

afterfx.exe -r "c:\myDocuments\Scripts\Script Name with Spaces.jsx"

Overview Loading and running scripts

How to include After Effects scripting in an AppleScript (Mac OS)

Following are three examples of AppleScript scripts that will send an existing JSX file containing an After

Effects script to the application without using the After Effects user interface to execute the script.

In the first example, you copy your After Effects script directly into the Script Editor and then run it. The script

text appears within quotation marks following the DoScript command, so internal quotes in the script must

be escaped using the backslash escape character, as follows:

tell application "Adobe After Effects CS6"

DoScript "alert(\"You just sent an alert to After Effects\")"

end tell

Alternatively, you could display a dialog box asking for the location of the JSX file to be executed, as follows:

set theFile to choose file

tell application "Adobe After Effects CS6"

DoScript theFile

end tell

Finally, this script is perhaps most useful when you are working directly on editing a JSX script and want to

send it to After Effects for testing or to run. To use it effectively you must enter the application that contains

the open JSX file (in this example it is TextEdit); if you do not know the proper name of the application, type

in your best guess to replace “TextEdit” and AppleScript prompts you to locate it.

Simply highlight the script text that you want to run, and then activate this AppleScript:

This script sends the current selection to After Effects as a script.

tell application "TextEdit"

set the_script to text of front document

end tell

tell application "Adobe After Effects CS6"

activate

DoScript the_script

end tell

Running scripts automatically during application startup or shutdown

Within the Scripts folder are two folders called Startup and Shutdown. After Effects runs scripts in these

folders automatically, in alphabetical order, on starting and quitting, respectively.

In the Startup folder you can place scripts that you wish to execute at startup of the application. They are

executed after the application is initialized and all plug-ins are loaded.

Scripting shares a global environment, so any script executed at startup can define variables and functions that

are available to all scripts. In all cases, variables and functions, once defined by running a script that contains

them, persist in subsequent scripts during a given After Effects session. Once the application is quit, all such

globally defined variables and functions are cleared. Be sure to give variables in scripts unique names, so that

a script does not inadvertently reassign global variables intended to persist throughout a session.

Attributes can also be added to existing objects such as the Application object (see “Application object” on

page 17) to extend the application for other scripts.

Overview Loading and running scripts

The Shutdown folder scripts are executed as the application quits. This occurs after the project is closed but

before any other application shutdown occurs.

Running scripts from the Window menu

Scripts in the ScriptUI Panels folder are available from the bottom of the Window menu. If a script has been

written to provide a user interface in a dockable panel, the script should be put in the ScriptUI folder. ScriptUI

panels work much the same as the default panels in the After Effects user interface.

Instead of creating a Window object and adding controls to it, a ScriptUI Panels script uses the this object that

represents the panel. For example, the following code adds a button to a panel:

var myPanel = this;

myPanel.add("button", [10, 10, 100, 30], "Tool #1");

If your script creates its user interface in a function, you cannot use this as it will refer to the function itself,

not the panel. In this case, you should pass the this object as an argument to your function. For example:

function createUI(thisObj) {

var myPanel = thisObj;

myPanel.add("button", [10, 10, 100, 30], "Tool #1");

return myPanel;

}

var myToolsPanel = createUI(this);

You cannot use the File > Scripts > Run Script File menu command to run a script that refers to this. To make

your script work with either a Window object (accessible from the File > Scripts menu) or a native panel

(accessible from the Window menu), check whether this is a Panel object. For example:

function createUI(thisObj) {

var myPanel = (thisObj instanceof Panel) ? thisObj : new Window("palette", "My Tools",

[100, 100, 300, 300]);

myPanel.add("button", [10, 10, 100, 30], "Tool #1");

return myPanel;

}

var myToolsPanel = createUI(this);

Stopping a running script

A script can be stopped by pressing Esc or Cmd+period (in Mac OS) when the After Effects or the script’s user

interface has focus. However, a script that is busy processing a lot of data might not be very responsive.

After Effects scripting reference

This chapter lists and describes JavaScript classes, objects, methods, attributes, and global functions defined by

After Effects.

The After Effects scripting engine supports ExtendScript, Adobe’s extended version of JavaScript, which imple-

ments the 3rd Edition of the ECMA-262 Standard, including its notational and lexical conventions, types,

objects, expressions and statements. For a complete listing of the keywords and operators included with

ECMAScript, refer to ECMA-262.pdf, available at www.ecma-international.org/publications/standards/Ecma-

262.htm. For an overview of the most common keywords and statements available from ECMA-262, see

“JavaScript keywords and statement syntax” on page 8.

Elements of basic JavaScript relevant to After Effects scripting

JavaScript variables

Scripting shares a global environment, so any script executed at startup can define variables and functions that

are available to all scripts. In all cases, variables and functions, once defined by running a script that contains

them, persist in subsequent scripts during a given After Effects session. Once the application is quit, all such

globally defined variables and functions are cleared. Scripters should be careful about giving variables in scripts

unique names, so that a script does not inadvertently reassign global variables intended to persist throughout

a session.

JavaScript keywords and statement syntax

Although it is not possible to provide an exhaustive resource describing usage of JavaScript, the following tables

provide an overview of keywords, statements, operators, precedence, and associativity.

The following table lists and describes all keywords and statements recognized by the After Effects scripting

engine.

Table 1 Keywords and Statement Syntax

Keyword/Statement Description

break Standard JavaScript; exit the currently executing loop.

continue Standard JavaScript; cease execution of the current loop iteration.

case Label used in a switch statement.

default Label used in a switch statement when a case label is not found.

do...while Standard JavaScript construct. Similar to the while loop, except loop condition evaluation occurs

at the end of the loop.

false Literal representing the Boolean false value.

for Standard JavaScript loop construct.

After Effects scripting reference Elements of basic JavaScript relevant to After Effects scripting

JavaScript operators

The following tables list and describe all operators recognized by the After Effects scripting engine and show

the precedence and associativity for all operators.

Table 2 Description of Operators

for...in Standard JavaScript construct. Provides a way to easily loop through the properties of an object.

function Used to define a function.

if/if...else Standard JavaScript conditional constructs.

new Standard JavaScript constructor statement.

null Assigned to a variable, array element, or object property to indicate that it does not contain a legal

value.

return Standard JavaScript way of returning a value from a function or exiting a function.

switch Standard JavaScript way of evaluating a JavaScript expression and attempting to match the expres-

sion’s value to a case label.

this Standard JavaScript method of indicating the current object.

true Literal representing the Boolean true value.

undefined Indicates that the variable, array element, or object property has not yet been assigned a value.

var Standard JavaScript syntax used to declare a local variable.

while Standard JavaScript construct. Similar to the do...while loop, except loop condition evaluation

occurs at the beginning of the loop.

with Standard JavaScript construct used to specify an object to use in subsequent statements.

Operators Description

new Allocate object.

delete Deallocate object.

typeof Returns data type.

void Returns undefined value.

.Structure member.

[] Array element.

() Function call.

++ Pre- or post-increment.

–– Pre- or post-decrement.

–Unary negation or subtraction.

~Bitwise NOT.

!Logical NOT.

*Multiply.

/Divide.

Keyword/Statement Description

After Effects scripting reference Elements of basic JavaScript relevant to After Effects scripting

%Modulo division.

+Add.

<< Bitwise left shift.

>> Bitwise right shift.

>>> Unsigned bitwise right shift.

<Less than.

<= Less than or equal.

>Greater than.

>= Greater than or equal.

== Equal.

!= Not equal.

&Bitwise AND.

^Bitwise XOR.

|Bitwise OR.

&& Logical AND.

|| Logical OR.

?: Conditional (ternary).

=Assignment.

+= Assignment with add operation.

–= Assignment with subtract operation.

*= Assignment with multiply operation.

/= Assignment with divide operation.

%= Assignment with modulo division operation.

<<= Assignment with bitwise left shift operation.

>>= Assignment with bitwise right shift operation.

>>>= Assignment with unsigned bitwise right shift operation.

&= Assignment with bitwise AND operation.

^= Assignment with bitwise XOR operation.

|= Assignment with bitwise OR operation.

,Multiple evaluation.

Operators Description

After Effects scripting reference The After Effects Object Model

Table 3 Operator Precedence

The After Effects Object Model

As you look through this reference section, which is organized alphabetically by object, you can refer to the

following diagrams for an overview of where the various objects fall within the hierarchy, and their correspon-

dence to the user interface.

Hierarchy diagram of the main After Effects scripting objects

Operators (highest precedence to lowest) Associativity

[], (), .left to right

new, delete, – (unary negation), !, typeof, void, ++, –– right to left

*, /, % left to right

+, – (subtraction) left to right

<<, >>, >>> left to right

<, <=, >, >= left to right

==, != left to right

&left to right

^left to right

|left to right

&& left to right

|| left to right

?: right to left

=, /=, %=, <<=, >>=, >>>=, &=, ^=, |=, +=, –=, *= right to left

,left to right

APPLICATION

PROJECT

SETTINGS

RENDER1UEUE ITEMS

ITEMSMAYBEANYOFTHEFOLLOWINGTYPESOFITEM

ITEMS

RENDER1UEUE)TEMS

OUTPUT-ODULES

SOCKETFILE FOLDERSYSTEM

FOLDER)TEMFOOTAGE)TEM

PROXY3OURCE PROXY3OURCEMAIN3OURCE

SOLID3OURCE

COLOR

FILE3OURCE

FILE

PLACEHOLDER3OURCE

LAYERS

PROPERTIES

COMP)TEM

MAIN3OURCEPROXY3OURCE

MAYBEANYOFTHEFOLLOWINGTYPESOFITEM

After Effects scripting reference The After Effects Object Model

Note that the File, Folder, and Socket objects are defined by ExtendScript, and are documented in the JavaS-

cript Tools Guide. ExtendScript also defines the ScriptUI module, a set of window and user-interface control

objects, which are available to After Effects scripts. These are also documented in the JavaScript Tools Guide.

The hierarchy of objects in scripting corresponds to the hierarchy in the user interface.

The application contains a Project panel, which displays a project. The project contains compositions, which

contain layers. The source for a layer can be a footage file, placeholder, or solid, also listed in the Project panel.

Each layer contains settings known as properties, and these can contain markers and keyframes. The render

queue contains render-queue items as well as render settings and output modules. All of these entities are repre-

sented by objects in scripting.

NOTE: To avoid ambiguity, this manual uses the term “attribute” to refer to JavaScript object properties, and the

term “property” or “AE property” to refer to After Effects layer properties.

Object summary

The following table lists all objects alphabetically, with links to the documentation page for each.

Object Description

“Global functions” on page 14 Globally available functions that allow you to display text for script debugging purposes,

and help convert time values between seconds and frames.

“Application object” on page 17 A single global object, available by its name (app), that provides access to objects and

application settings within the After Effects application.

“AVItem object” on page 30 Represents audio/visual files imported into After Effects.

“AVLayer object” on page 38 Represents those layers that contain AVItem objects (composition layers, footage layers,

solid layers, text layers, and sound layers).

“CameraLayer object” on page 50 Represents a camera layer within a composition.

“Collection object” on page 51 Associates a set of objects or values as a logical group and provides access to them by

index.

“CompItem object” on page 52 Represents a composition, and allows you to manipulate it and get information about it.

After Effects scripting reference The After Effects Object Model

“FileSource object” on page 61 Describes footage that comes from a file.

“FolderItem object” on page 63 Represents a folder in the Project panel.

“FootageItem object” on page 65 Represents a footage item imported into a project, which appears in the Project panel.

“FootageSource object” on page 69 Describes the file source of some footage.

“ImportOptions object” on page 75 Encapsulates options for importing files into After Effects.

“Item object” on page 78 Represents an item in a project that appears in the Project panel.

“ItemCollection object” on page 82 Collects items in a project.

“KeyframeEase object” on page 84 Encapsulates keyframe ease values in an After Effects property.

“Layer object” on page 86 A base class for layer classes.

“LayerCollection object” on page 95 Collects layers in a project.

“LightLayer object” on page 100 Represents a light layer within a composition.

“MarkerValue object” on page 102 Encapsulates marker values in an After Effects property.

“MaskPropertyGroup object” on

page 106

Encapsulates mask attributes in a layer.

“OMCollection object” on page 109 Collects output modules in a render queue.

“OutputModule object” on page 110 Represents an output module for a render queue.

“PlaceholderSource object” on page 113 Describes a placeholder for footage.

“Project object” on page 114 Represents an After Effects project.

“Property object” on page 124 Represents an After Effects property.

“PropertyBase object” on page 148 A base class for After Effects property and property group classes.

“PropertyGroup object” on page 155 Represents an After Effects property group.

“RenderQueue object” on page 160 Represents the After Effects render queue.

“RenderQueueItem object” on page 163 Represents a renderable item in a render queue.

“RenderQueueItem object” on page 163 Collects render-queue items in a render queue.

“RQItemCollection object” on page 169 Provides access to application settings and preferences.

“Shape object” on page 172 Encapsulates the outline shape information for a mask.

“ShapeLayer object” on page 178 Represents a shape layer within a composition.

“SolidSource object” on page 179 Describes a solid color that is the source of some footage.

“System object” on page 180 Provides access to the operating system from the application.

“TextDocument object” on page 182 Encapsulates the text in a text layer.

“TextLayer object” on page 188 Represents a text layer within a composition.

“Viewer object” on page 189 Represents a Composition, Layer, or Footage panel.

Object Description

After Effects scripting reference Global functions

Global functions

These globally available functions that are specific to After Effects. Any JavaScript object or function can call

these functions, which allow you to display text in a small (3-line) area of the Info panel, and to convert

numeric time values to and from string values.

Additional global functions for standard user I/O (alert, confirm, and prompt) and static functions for file

I/O, are defined by ExtendScript; for detailed reference information, see the JavaScript Tools Guide (available

from the ExtendScript Toolkit’s Help menu).

clearOutput() global function

clearOutput()

Description

Clears the output in the Info panel.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

currentFormatToTime() global function

currentFormatToTime(formattedTime, fps, isDuration)

Description

Converts a formatted string for a frame time value to a number of seconds, given a specified frame rate. For

example, if the formatted frame time value is 0:00:12 (the exact string format is determined by a project

setting), and the frame rate is 24 fps, the time would be 0.5 seconds (12/24). If the frame rate is 30 fps, the time

would be 0.4 seconds (12/30).

If the time is a duration, the frames are counted from 0. Otherwise, the frames are counted from the project’s

starting frame (see “Project displayStartFrame attribute” on page 117).

Parameters

Global function Description

clearOutput() Clears text from the Info panel.

currentFormatToTime() Converts string time value to a numeric time value.

timeToCurrentFormat() Converts a numeric time value to a string time value.

write() Writes text to the Info panel, with no line break added.

writeLn() Writes text to the Info panel, adding a line break at the end.

isValid() When true, the specified object exists.

formattedTime The frame time value, a string specifying a number of frames in the project’s current time display format.

fps The frames-per-second, a floating-point value.

After Effects scripting reference Global functions

Returns

Floating-point value, the number of seconds.

isValid() global function

isValid(obj)

Description

Determines if the specified After Effects object (e.g., composition, layer, mask, etc.) still exists. Some opera-

tions, such as the PropertyBase moveTo() method, might invalidate existing variable assignments to related

objects. This function allows you to test whether those assignments are still valid before attempting to access

them.

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Example

var layer = app.project.activeItem.layer(1); // assume layer has three masks

alert(isValid(layer)); // displays “true”

var mask1 = layer.mask(1);

var mask2 = layer.mask(2);

var mask3 = layer.mask(3);

mask3.moveTo(1); // move the third mask to the top of the mask stack

alert(isValid(mask1)); // displays “false”; mask2 and mask3 do as well

timeToCurrentFormat() global function

timeToCurrentFormat(time, fps, isDuration)

Description

Converts a numeric time value (a number of seconds) to a frame time value; that is, a formatted string that

shows which frame corresponds to that time, at the specified rate. For example, if the time is 0.5 seconds, and

the frame rate is 24 fps, the frame would be 0:00:12 (when the project is set to display as timecode). If the frame

rate is 30 fps, the frame would be 0:00:15. The format of the timecode string is determined by a project setting.

If the time is a duration, the frames are counted from 0. Otherwise, the frames are counted from the project’s

starting frame (see “Project displayStartFrame attribute” on page 117).

Parameters

isDuration Optional. When true, the time is a duration (measured from frame 0). When false (the default), the time is

measured from the project’s starting frame.

obj The After Effects object to check for validity.

time The number of seconds, a floating-point value.

fps The frames-per-second, a floating-point value.

After Effects scripting reference Global functions

Returns

String in the project’s current time display format.

write() global function

write(text)

Description

Writes output to the Info panel, with no line break added.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Example

write("This text appears in Info panel ");

write("with more on same line.");

writeLn() global function

writeLn(text)

Description

Writes output to the Info panel and adds a line break at the end.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Example

writeln("This text appears on first line");

writeln("This text appears on second line");

isDuration Optional. When true, the time is a duration (measured from frame 0). When false (the default), the time is

measured from the project’s starting frame.

text The string to display. Truncated if too long for the Info panel.

text The string to display.

After Effects scripting reference Application object

Application object

app

Description

Provides access to objects and application settings within the After Effects application. The single global object

is always available by its name, app.

Attributes of the Application object provide access to specific objects within After Effects. Methods of the

Application object can create a project, open an existing project, control Watch Folder mode, purge memory,

and quit the After Effects application. When the After Effects application quits, it closes the open project,

prompting the user to save or discard changes as necessary, and creates a project file as necessary.

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

project “Application project attribute” on

page 26 and “Project object” on

page 114

The current After Effects project.

isoLanguage “Application isoLanguage attribute” on

page 22

The locale (language and region) in which the applica-

tion is running.

version “Application version attribute” on

page 29

The version number of the After Effects application.

buildName “Application buildName attribute” on

page 19

The name of this build of the application.

buildNumber “Application buildNumber attribute” on

page 20

The number of this build of the application.

isWatchFolder “Application isWatchFolder attribute” on

page 23

When true, the local application is running in Watch

Folder mode.

isRenderEngine “Application isRenderEngine attribute”

on page 23

When true, the local After Effects application is running

as a render engine.

settings “Application settings attribute” on

page 28 and “RQItemCollection object”

on page 169

Application settings that can be set via scripting.

onError “Application onError attribute” on

page 24

A callback function that is called when an error occurs

in the application.

exitCode “Application exitCode attribute” on

page 22

A numeric status code used when executing a script

externally (that is, from a command line or AppleScript).

0 if no error occurred. A positive number indicates an

error that occurred while running the script.

exitAfterLaunchAndEval “Application exitAfterLaunchAndEval

attribute” on page 22

When true, the application remains open after running

a script from the command line on Windows.

saveProjectOnCrash “Application saveProjectOnCrash attri-

bute” on page 27

When true, the project is saved if the application closes

unexpectedly.

memoryInUse “Application memoryInUse attribute” on

page 23

Memory in use by this application.

effects “Application effects attribute” on

page 20

The effects available in the application.

activeViewer “Application activeViewer attribute” on

page 19

The currently focused or last-focused viewer panel.

After Effects scripting reference Application object

Methods

Application activate() method

app.activate()

Description

Opens the application main window if it is minimized or iconified, and brings it to the front of the desktop.

Parameters

None.

Method Reference Description

newProject() “Application newProject() method” on

page 24

Creates a new project in After Effects.

open() “Application open() method” on page 24 Opens a project or an Open Project dialog box.

quit() “Application quit() method” on page 27 Quits the application.

watchFolder() “Application watchFolder() method” on

page 29

Starts Watch Folder mode; does not return

until Watch Folder mode is turned off.

pauseWatchFolder() “Application pauseWatchFolder() method”

on page 26

Pauses a current watch-folder process.

endWatchFolder() “Application endWatchFolder() method” on

page 21

Ends a current watch-folder process.

purge() “Application purge() method” on page 26 Purges a targeted type of cached information

(replicates Purge options in the Edit menu).

beginUndoGroup() “Application beginUndoGroup() method”

on page 19

Groups the actions that follow it into a single

undoable step.

endUndoGroup() “Application endUndoGroup() method” on

page 21

Ends an undo group; needed only when a

script contains more than one undo group.

beginSuppressDialogs() “Application beginSuppressDialogs()

method” on page 19

Begins suppression of dialogs in the user inter-

face.

endSuppressDialogs() “Application endSuppressDialogs()

method” on page 21

Ends suppression of dialogs in the user inter-

face.

setMemoryUsageLimits() “Application setMemoryUsageLimits()

method” on page 28

Sets memory usage limits as in the Memory &

Cache preferences area.

setSavePreferencesOnQuit() “Application setSavePreferencesOnQuit()

method” on page 28

Sets whether preferences are saved when the

application is quit.

activate() “Application activate() method” on page 18 Brings the After Effects main window to the

front of the screen.

scheduleTask() “Application scheduleTask() method” on

page 27

Schedules a JavaScript script for delayed exe-

cution.

cancelTask() “Application cancelTask() method” on

page 20

Cancels a scheduled task.

parseSwatchFile() “Application parseSwatchFile() method” on

page 25

Loads a color swatch from an Adobe Swatch

Exchange (ASE) file.

After Effects scripting reference Application object

Returns

Nothing.

Application activeViewer attribute

app.activeViewer

Description

The Viewer object for the currently focused or active-focused viewer (Composition, Layer, or Footage) panel.

Returns null if no viewers are open.

Type

Viewer object; read-only.

Application beginSuppressDialogs() method

app.beginSuppressDialogs()

Description

Begins suppression of script error dialog boxes in the user interface. Use endSuppressDialogs() to resume the

display of error dialogs. See “Application endSuppressDialogs() method” on page 21.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

Application beginUndoGroup() method

app.beginUndoGroup(undoString)

Description

Marks the beginning of an undo group, which allows a script to logically group all of its actions as a single

undoable action (for use with the Edit > Undo/Redo menu items). Use the endUndoGroup() method to mark

the end of the group. (See “Application endUndoGroup() method” on page 21.)

beginUndoGroup() and endUndoGroup() pairs can be nested. Groups within groups become part of the

larger group, and will undo correctly. In this case, the names of inner groups are ignored.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Application buildName attribute

app.buildName

undoString The text that will appear for the Undo command in the Edit menu (that is, “Undo <undoString>”)

After Effects scripting reference Application object

Description

The name of the build of After Effects being run, used internally by Adobe for testing and troubleshooting.

Type

String; read-only.

Application buildNumber attribute

app.buildNumber

Description

The number of the build of After Effects being run, used internally by Adobe for testing and troubleshooting.

Type

Integer; read-only.

Application cancelTask() method

app.cancelTask(taskID)

Description

Removes the specified task from the queue of tasks scheduled for delayed execution.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Application effects attribute

app.effects

Description

The effects available in the application.

Type

Array, with each element containing the following properties; read-only:

Example

var effectName = app.effects[12].displayName;

taskID An integer that identifies the task, as returned by app.scheduleTask().

displayName String representing the localized display name of the effect as seen in the Effect menu.

category String representing the localized category label as seen in the Effect menu. This can be "" for synthetic

effects that aren’t normally shown to the user.

matchName String representing the internal unique name for the effect. This name does not change between ver-

sions of After Effects. Use this value to apply the effect.

After Effects scripting reference Application object

Application endSuppressDialogs() method

app.endSuppressDialogs(alert)

Description

Ends the suppression of script error dialog boxes in the user interface. Error dialogs are displayed by default;

call this method only if beginSuppressDialogs() has previously been called. See “Application beginSuppress-

Dialogs() method” on page 19.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Application endUndoGroup() method

app.endUndoGroup()

Description

Marks the end of an undo group begun with the app.beginUndoGroup() method. You can use this method to

place an end to an undo group in the middle of a script, should you wish to use more than one undo group for

a single script.

If you are using only a single undo group for a given script, you do not need to use this method; in its absence

at the end of a script, the system will close the undo group automatically.

Calling this method without having set a beginUndoGroup() method yields an error.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

Application endWatchFolder() method

app.endWatchFolder()

Description

Ends Watch Folder mode.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

alert Boolean; when true, errors that have occurred following the call to beginSuppressDialogs() are displayed in a

dialog box.

After Effects scripting reference Application object

See also

“Application endWatchFolder() method” on page 21

“Application parseSwatchFile() method” on page 25

“Application isWatchFolder attribute” on page 23

folder_object_to_watch The ExtendScript Folder object for the folder to watch.

After Effects scripting reference AVItem object

AVItem object

app.project.item(index)

Description

The AVItem object provides access to attributes and methods of audio/visual files imported into After Effects.

•AVItem is a subclass of Item. All methods and attributes of Item, in addition to those listed below, are

available when working with AVItem. See “Item object” on page 78.

•AVItem is the base class for both CompItem and FootageItem, so AVItem attributes and methods are also

available when working with CompItem and FootageItem objects. See “CompItem object” on page 52 and

“FootageItem object” on page 65.

Attributes

Methods

Attribute Reference Description

name “AVItem name attribute” on page 33 The name of the object as shown in the Project panel.

width “AVItem width attribute” on page 37 The width of the item.

height “AVItem height attribute” on page 32 The height of the item.

pixelAspect “AVItem pixelAspect attribute” on page 33 The pixel aspect ratio of the item.

frameRate “AVItem frameRate attribute” on page 32 The frame rate of the item.

frameDuration “AVItem frameDuration attribute” on page 31 The frame duration for the item.

duration “AVItem duration attribute” on page 31 The total duration of the item.

useProxy “AVItem useProxy attribute” on page 36 When true, a proxy source is used for this item.

proxySource “AVItem proxySource attribute” on page 34 The FootageItem object used as proxy for the item.

time “AVItem time attribute” on page 36 Current time of the item.

usedIn “AVItem usedIn attribute” on page 36 The CompItem objects that use this item.

hasVideo “AVItem hasVideo attribute” on page 32 When true, the item has a video component.

hasAudio “AVItem hasAudio attribute” on page 32 When true, the item has an audio component.

footageMissing “AVItem footageMissing attribute” on

page 31

When true, the item cannot be found or is a placeholder.

Method Reference Description

setProxy() “AVItem setProxy() method” on page 34 Sets a proxy for the item.

setProxyWithSequence() “AVItem setProxyWithSequence() method” on

page 35

Sets a sequence as a proxy for the item.

setProxyWithSolid() “AVItem setProxyWithSolid() method” on

page 35

Sets a solid as a proxy for the item.

setProxyWithPlaceholder() “AVItem setProxyWithPlaceholder() method” on

page 35

Sets a placeholder as a proxy for the item.

setProxyToNone() “AVItem setProxyToNone() method” on page 34 Removes the proxy for the item.

After Effects scripting reference AVItem object

AVItem duration attribute

app.project.item(index).duration

Description

Returns the duration, in seconds, of the item. Still footage items have a duration of 0.

•In a CompItem, the value is linked to the duration of the composition, and is read/write.

•In a FootageItem, the value is linked to the duration of the mainSource object, and is read-only.

Type

Floating-point value in the range [0.0..10800.0]; read/write for a CompItem; otherwise, read-only.

AVItem footageMissing attribute

app.project.item(index).footageMissing

Description

When true, the AVItem is a placeholder, or represents footage with a source file that cannot be found. In this

case, the path of the missing source file is in the missingFootagePath attribute of the footage item’s source-file

object. See “FootageItem mainSource attribute” on page 66 and “FileSource missingFootagePath attribute” on

page 61.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVItem frameDuration attribute

app.project.item(index).frameDuration

Description

Returns the length of a frame for this AVItem, in seconds. This is the reciprocal of frameRate. When set, the

reciprocal is automatically set as a new frameRate value.

This attribute returns the reciprocal of the frameRate, which may not be identical to a value you set, if that

value is not evenly divisible into 1.0 (for example, 0.3). Due to numerical limitations, (1 / (1 / 0.3)) is close to,

but not exactly, 0.3.

If the AVItem is a FootageItem, this value is linked to the mainSource, and is read-only. To change it, set the

conformFrameRate of the mainSource object. This sets both the frameRate and frameDuration of the

FootageItem.

Type

Floating-point value in the range [1/99.. 1.0]; read-only for a FootageItem, otherwise read/write.

After Effects scripting reference AVItem object

AVItem frameRate attribute

app.project.item(index).frameRate

Description

The frame rate of the AVItem, in frames-per-second. This is the reciprocal of the frameDuration. When set,

the reciprocal is automatically set as a new frameDuration value.

•In a CompItem, the value is linked to the frameRate of the composition, and is read/write.

•In a FootageItem, the value is linked to the frameRate of the mainSource object, and is read-only. To change

it, set the conformFrameRate of the mainSource object. This sets both the frameRate and frameDuration

of the FootageItem.

Type

Floating-point value in the range [1.0..99.0]; read-only for a FootageItem, otherwise read/write.

AVItem hasAudio attribute

app.project.item(index).hasAudio

Description

When true, the AVItem has an audio component.

•In a CompItem, the value is linked to the composition.

•In a FootageItem, the value is linked to the mainSource object.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVItem hasVideo attribute

app.project.item(index).hasVideo

Description

When true, the AVItem has an video component.

•In a CompItem, the value is linked to the composition.

•In a FootageItem, the value is linked to the mainSource object.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVItem height attribute

app.project.item(index).height

Description

The height of the item in pixels.

•In a CompItem, the value is linked to the composition, and is read/write.

After Effects scripting reference AVItem object

•In a FootageItem, the value is linked to the mainSource object, and is read/write only if the mainSource

object is a SolidSource. Otherwise, it is read-only.

Type

Integer in the range [1...30000]; read/write, except as noted.

AVItem name attribute

app.project.item(index).name

Description

The name of the item, as shown in the Project panel.

•In a FootageItem, the value is linked to the mainSource object. If the mainSource object is a FileSource, this

value controls the display name in the Project panel, but does not affect the file name.

Type

String; read/write.

AVItem pixelAspect attribute

app.project.item(index).pixelAspect

Description

The pixel aspect ratio (PAR) of the item.

•In a CompItem, the value is linked to the composition.

•In a FootageItem, the value is linked to the mainSource object.

The value you retrieve after setting may be slightly different from the value you supplied. The following table

compares the value as it appears in the UI with the more-accurate value returned by this attribute.

Type

Floating-point value, in the range [0.01..100.0]; read/write.

PAR in the After Effects UI PAR returned by the pixelAspect attribute

0.91 0.90909090909091

1.5 1.5

1.09 1.09401709401709

1.21 1.21212121212121

1.33 1.33333333333333

1.46 1.45868945868946

After Effects scripting reference AVItem object

AVItem proxySource attribute

app.project.item(index).proxySource

Description

The FootageSource being used as a proxy. The attribute is read-only; to change it, call any of the AVItem

methods that change the proxy source: setProxy(), setProxyWithSequence(), setProxyWithSolid(), or

setProxyWithPlaceholder().

Type

FootageSource object; read-only.

AVItem setProxy() method

app.project.item(index).setProxy(file)

Description

Sets a file as the proxy of this AVItem. Loads the specified file into a new FileSource object, sets this as the

value of the proxySource attribute, and sets useProxy to true. It does not preserve the interpretation param-

eters, instead using the user preferences. If the file has an unlabeled alpha channel, and the user preference

says to ask the user what to do, the method estimates the alpha interpretation, rather than asking the user.

This differs from setting a FootageItem's main source, but both actions are performed as in the user interface.

Parameters

Returns

None.

AVItem setProxyToNone() method

app.project.item(index).setProxyToNone()

Description

Removes the proxy from this AVItem, sets the value of proxySource to null, and sets the value of useProxy to

false.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

file An ExtendScript File object for the file to be used as a proxy.

After Effects scripting reference AVItem object

AVItem setProxyWithPlaceholder() method

app.project.item(index).setProxyWithPlaceholder(name, width, height, frameRate, duration)

Description

Creates a PlaceholderSource object with specified values, sets this as the value of the proxySource attribute,

and sets useProxy to true. It does not preserve the interpretation parameters, instead using the user prefer-

ences.

NOTE: There is no direct way to set a placeholder as a proxy in the user interface; this behavior occurs when a

proxy has been set and then moved or deleted.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

AVItem setProxyWithSequence() method

app.project.item(index).setProxyWithSequence(file, forceAlphabetical)

Description

Sets a sequence of files as the proxy of this AVItem, with the option of forcing alphabetical order. Loads the

specified file sequence into a new FileSource object, sets this as the value of the proxySource attribute, and sets

useProxy to true. It does not preserve the interpretation parameters, instead using the user preferences. If any

file has an unlabeled alpha channel, and the user preference says to ask the user what to do, the method

estimates the alpha interpretation, rather than asking the user.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

AVItem setProxyWithSolid() method

app.project.item(index).setProxyWithSolid(color, name, width, height, pixelAspect)

Description

Creates a SolidSource object with specified values, sets this as the value of the proxySource attribute, and sets

useProxy to true. It does not preserve the interpretation parameters, instead using the user preferences.

name A string containing the name of the new object.

width, height The pixel dimensions of the placeholder, an integer in the range [4..30000].

frameRate The frames-per-second, an integer in the range [1..99].

duration The total length in seconds, up to 3 hours. An integer in the range [0.0..10800.0].

file An ExtendScript File object for the first file in the sequence.

forceAlphabetical When true, use the “Force alphabetical order” option.

After Effects scripting reference AVItem object

NOTE: There is no way, using the user interface, to set a solid as a proxy; this feature is available only through

scripting.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

AVItem time attribute

app.project.item(index).time

Description

The current time of the item when it is being previewed directly from the Project panel. This value is a number

of seconds. Use the global method timeToCurrentFormat to convert it to a string value that expresses the time

in terms of frames; see “timeToCurrentFormat() global function” on page 15.

It is an error to set this value for a FootageItem whose mainSource is still (item.mainSource.isStill is true).

Type

Floating-point value; read/write.

AVItem usedIn attribute

app.project.item(index).usedIn

Description

All the compositions that use this AVItem.

Note that upon retrieval, the array value is copied, so it is not automatically updated. If you get this value, then

add this item into another composition, you must retrieve the value again to get an array that includes the new

item.

Type

Array of CompItem objects; read-only.

AVItem useProxy attribute

app.project.item(index).useProxy

Description

When true, a proxy is used for the item. It is set to true by all the SetProxy methods, and to false by the

SetProxyToNone() method.

color The color of the solid, an array of 3 floating-point values, [R, G, B], in the range [0.0..1.0].

name A string containing the name of the new object.

width, height The pixel dimensions of the placeholder, an integer in the range [1...30000].

pixelAspect The pixel aspect of the solid, a floating-point value in the range [0.01... 100.0].

After Effects scripting reference AVItem object

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVItem width attribute

app.project.item(index).width

Description

The width of the item, in pixels.

•In a CompItem, the value is linked to the composition, and is read/write.

•In a FootageItem, the value is linked to the mainSource object, and is read/write only if the mainSource

object is a SolidSource. Otherwise, it is read-only.

Type

Integer in the range [1...30000]; read/write, except as noted.

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

AVLayer object

app.project.item(index).layer(index)

Description

The AVLayer object provides an interface to those layers that contain AVItem objects (composition layers,

footage layers, solid layers, text layers, and sound layers).

•AVLayer is a subclass of Layer. All methods and attributes of Layer, in addition to those listed below, are

available when working with AVLayer. See “Layer object” on page 86.

•AVLayer is a base class for TextLayer, so AVLayer attributes and methods are available when working with

TextLayer objects. See “TextLayer object” on page 188.

AE Properties

Different types of layers have different AE properties. AVLayer has the following properties and property

groups:

Marker

Time Remap

Motion Trackers

Masks

Effects

Transform

Anchor Point

Position

Scale

Orientation

X Rotation

Y Rotation

Rotation

Opacity

Layer Styles

Geometry Options // Ray-traced 3D

Material Options

Casts Shadows

Light Transmission

Accepts Shadows

Accepts Lights

Appears in Reflections // Ray-traced 3D

Ambient

Diffuse

Specular Intensity

Specular Shininess

Metal

Reflection Intensity // Ray-traced 3D

Reflection Sharpness // Ray-traced 3D

Reflection Rolloff // Ray-traced 3D

Transparency // Ray-traced 3D

Transparency Rolloff // Ray-traced 3D

Index of Refraction // Ray-traced 3D

Audio

Audio Levels

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

Example

If the first item in the project is a CompItem, and the first layer of that CompItem is an AVLayer, the following

sets the layer quality, startTime, and inPoint.

var firstLayer = app.project.item(1).layer(1);

firstLayer.quality = LayerQuality.BEST;

firstLayer.startTime = 1;

firstLayer.inPoint = 2;

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

source “AVLayer source attribute” on page 47 The source item for this layer.

isNameFromSource “AVLayer isNameFromSource attribute”

on page 46

When true, the layer has no expressly set name,

but contains a named source.

height “AVLayer height attribute” on page 45 The height of the layer.

width “AVLayer width attribute” on page 49 The width of the layer.

audioEnabled “AVLayer audioEnabled attribute” on

page 41

When true, the layer's audio is enabled.

motionBlur “AVLayer motionBlur attribute” on

page 46

When true, the layer's motion blur is enabled.

effectsActive “AVLayer effectsActive attribute” on

page 44

When true, the layer's effects are active.

adjustmentLayer “AVLayer adjustmentLayer attribute” on

page 40

When true, this is an adjustment layer.

guideLayer “AVLayer guideLayer attribute” on

page 45

When true, this is a guide layer.

threeDLayer “AVLayer threeDLayer attribute” on

page 48

When true, this is a 3D layer.

threeDPerChar “AVLayer threeDPerChar attribute” on

page 48

When true, 3D is set on a per-character basis in

this text layer.

environmentLayer “AVLayer environmentLayer attribute”

on page 44

When true, this is an environment layer.

canSetCollapseTransformation “AVLayer canSetCollapseTransformation

attribute” on page 43

When true, it is legal to change the value of

collapseTransformation.

collapseTransformation “AVLayer collapseTransformation attri-

bute” on page 44

When true, collapse transformation is on.

frameBlending “AVLayer frameBlending attribute” on

page 44

When true, frame blending is enabled.

frameBlendingType “AVLayer frameBlendingType attribute”

on page 44

The type of frame blending for the layer.

canSetTimeRemapEnabled “AVLayer canSetTimeRemapEnabled

attribute” on page 43

When true, it is legal to change the value of

timeRemapEnabled.

timeRemapEnabled “AVLayer timeRemapEnabled attribute”

on page 48

When true, time remapping is enabled on this

layer.

hasAudio “AVLayer hasAudio attribute” on

page 45

When true, the layer contains an audio compo-

nent.

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

Methods

AVLayer adjustmentLayer attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).adjustmentLayer

Description

True if the layer is an adjustment layer.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer audioActive attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).audioActive

Description

True if the layer's audio is active at the current time.

audioActive “AVLayer audioActive attribute” on

page 40

When true, the layer's audio is active at the cur-

rent time.

blendingMode “AVLayer blendingMode attribute” on

page 42

The blending mode of the layer.

preserveTransparency “AVLayer preserveTransparency attri-

bute” on page 47

When true, preserve transparency is enabled.

trackMatteType “AVLayer trackMatteType attribute” on

page 49

if layer has a track matte, specifies the way it is

applied.

isTrackMatte “AVLayer isTrackMatte attribute” on

page 46

When true, this layer is being used as a track

matte for the layer below it.

hasTrackMatte “AVLayer hasTrackMatte attribute” on

page 45

When true, the layer above is being used as a

track matte on this layer.

quality “AVLayer quality attribute” on page 47 The layer quality setting.

autoOrient “AVLayer autoOrient attribute” on

page 41

The type of automatic orientation for the layer.

Method Reference Description

audioActiveAtTime() “AVLayer audioActiveAtTime() method”

on page 41

Reports whether this layer's audio is

active at a given time.

calculateTransformFromPoints() “AVLayer calculateTransform-

FromPoints() method” on page 43

Calculates a transformation from a set of

points in this layer.

replaceSource() “AVLayer replaceSource() method” on

page 47

Changes the source item for this layer.

sourceRectAtTime() “AVLayer sourceRectAtTime() method”

on page 48

Retrieves the source rectangle of a layer.

openInViewer() “AVLayer openInViewer() method” on

page 46

Opens the layer in a Layer panel.

Attribute Reference Description

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

For this value to be true, audioEnabled must be true, no other layer with audio may be soloing unless this layer

is soloed too, and the time must be between the inPoint and outPoint of this layer.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVLayer audioActiveAtTime() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).audioActiveAtTime(time)

Description

Returns true if this layer's audio will be active at the specified time.

For this method to return true, audioEnabled must be true, no other layer with audio may be soloing unless

this layer is soloed too, and the time must be between the inPoint and outPoint of this layer.

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

AVLayer audioEnabled attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).audioEnabled

Description

When true, the layer's audio is enabled. This value corresponds to the audio toggle switch in the Timeline

panel.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer autoOrient attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).autoOrient

Description

The type of automatic orientation to perform for the layer.

Type

An AutoOrientType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

time The time, in seconds. A floating-point value.

AutoOrientType.ALONG_PATH Layer faces in the direction of the motion path.

AutoOrientType.CAMERA_OR_POINT_OF_INTEREST Layer always faces the active camera or points at its

point of interest.

AutoOrientType.CHARACTERS_TOWARD_CAMERA Each character in a per-character 3D text layer auto-

matically faces the active camera.

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

AVLayer blendingMode attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).blendingMode

Description

The blending mode of the layer.

Type

A BlendingMode enumerated value; read/write. One of:

BlendingMode.ADD

BlendingMode.ALPHA_ADD

BlendingMode.CLASSIC_COLOR_BURN

BlendingMode.CLASSIC_COLOR_DODGE

BlendingMode.CLASSIC_DIFFERENCE

BlendingMode.COLOR

BlendingMode.COLOR_BURN

BlendingMode.COLOR_DODGE

BlendingMode.DANCING_DISSOLVE

BlendingMode.DARKEN

BlendingMode.DARKER_COLOR

BlendingMode.DIFFERENCE

BlendingMode.DISSOLVE

BlendingMode.EXCLUSION

BlendingMode.HARD_LIGHT

BlendingMode.HARD_MIX

BlendingMode.HUE

BlendingMode.LIGHTEN

BlendingMode.LIGHTER_COLOR

BlendingMode.LINEAR_BURN

BlendingMode.LINEAR_DODGE

BlendingMode.LINEAR_LIGHT

BlendingMode.LUMINESCENT_PREMUL

BlendingMode.LUMINOSITY

BlendingMode.MULTIPLY

BlendingMode.NORMAL

BlendingMode.OVERLAY

BlendingMode.PIN_LIGHT

BlendingMode.SATURATION

BlendingMode.SCREEN

BlendingMode.SILHOUETE_ALPHA

BlendingMode.SILHOUETTE_LUMA

BlendingMode.SOFT_LIGHT

BlendingMode.STENCIL_ALPHA

BlendingMode.STENCIL_LUMA

BlendingMode.VIVID_LIGHT

AutoOrientType.NO_AUTO_ORIENT Layer rotates freely, independent of any motion

path, point of interest, or other layers.

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

AVLayer calculateTransformFromPoints() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).calculateTransformFromPoints(pointTopLeft, pointTopRight, point-

BottomRight)

Description

Calculates a transformation from a set of points in this layer.

Parameters

Returns

An Object with the transformation properties set.

Example

var newLayer = comp.layers.add(newFootage);

newLayer.threeDLayer = true;

newLayer.blendingMode = BlendingMode.ALPHA_ADD;

var transform = newLayer.calculateTransformFromPoints(tl, tr, bl);

for(var sel in transform) {

newLayer.transform[sel].setValue(transform[sel]);

}

AVLayer canSetCollapseTransformation attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).canSetCollapseTransformation

Description

True if it is legal to change the value of the collapseTransformation attribute on this layer.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVLayer canSetTimeRemapEnabled attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).canSetTimeRemapEnabled

Description

True if it is legal to change the value of the timeRemapEnabled attribute on this layer.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

pointTopLeft The top left point coordinates in the form of an array, [x, y, z].

pointTopRight The top right point coordinates in the form of an array, [x, y, z].

pointBottomRight The bottom right point coordinates in the form of an array, [x, y, z].

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

AVLayer collapseTransformation attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).collapseTransformation

Description

True if collapse transformation is on for this layer.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer effectsActive attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).effectsActive

Description

True if the layer's effects are active, as indicated by the <f> icon next to it in the user interface.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer environmentLayer attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).environmentLayer

Description

True if this is an environment layer in a Ray-traced 3D composition. Setting this attribute to true automatically

makes the layer 3D (threeDLayer becomes true).

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer frameBlending attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).frameBlending

Description

True if frame blending is enabled for the layer.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVLayer frameBlendingType attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).frameBlendingType

Description

The type of frame blending to perform when frame blending is enabled for the layer.

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

Type

A FrameBlendingType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

FrameBlendingType.FRAME_MIX

FrameBlendingType.NO_FRAME_BLEND

FrameBlendingType.PIXEL_MOTION

AVLayer guideLayer attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).guideLayer

Description

True if the layer is a guide layer.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer hasAudio attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).hasAudio

Description

True if the layer contains an audio component, regardless of whether it is audio-enabled or soloed.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVLayer hasTrackMatte attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).hasTrackMatte

Description

True if the layer in front of this layer is being used as a track matte on this layer. When true, this layer's track-

MatteType value controls how the matte is applied.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVLayer height attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).height

Description

The height of the layer in pixels.

Type

Floating-point; read-only.

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

AVLayer isNameFromSource attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).isNameFromSource

Description

True if the layer has no expressly set name, but contains a named source. In this case, layer.name has the same

value as layer.source.name.

False if the layer has an expressly set name, or if the layer does not have a source.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVLayer isTrackMatte attribute

app.project.item(index)layer(index).isTrackMatte

Description

True if this layer is being used as a track matte for the layer behind it.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

AVLayer motionBlur attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).motionBlur

Description

True if motion blur is enabled for the layer.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer openInViewer() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).openInViewer()

Description

Opens the layer in a Layer panel, and moves the Layer panel to front and gives it focus.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Viewer object for the Layer panel, or null if the layer could not be opened (e.g., for text or shape layers, which

cannot be opened in the Layer panel).

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

AVLayer preserveTransparency attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).preserveTransparency

Description

True if preserve transparency is enabled for the layer.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer quality attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).quality

Description

The quality with which this layer is displayed.

Type

A LayerQuality enumerated value; read/write. One of:

LayerQuality.BEST

LayerQuality.DRAFT

LayerQuality.WIREFRAME

AVLayer replaceSource() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).replaceSource (newSource, fixExpressions)

Description

Replaces the source for this layer.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

AVLayer source attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).source

Description

The source AVItem for this layer. The value is null in a Text layer. Use AVLayer.replaceSource() to change the

value.

Type

AVItem object; read-only.

newSource The new source AVItem object.

fixExpressions True to adjust expressions for the new source, false otherwise. Note that this feature can be

resource-intensive; if replacing a large amount of footage, do this only at the end of the operation.

See also “Project autoFixExpressions() method” on page 115.

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

AVLayer sourceRectAtTime() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).sourceRectAtTime(timeT, extents)

Description

Retrieves the rectangle bounds of the layer at the specified time index, corrected for text or shape layer content.

Use, for example, to write text that is properly aligned to the baseline.

Parameters

Returns

A JavaScript object with four attributes, [top, left, width, height].

AVLayer threeDLayer attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).threeDLayer

Description

True if this is a 3D layer.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer threeDPerChar attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).threeDPerChar

Description

True if this layer has the Enable Per-character 3D switch set, allowing its characters to be animated off the

plane of the text layer. Applies only to text layers.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

AVLayer timeRemapEnabled attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).timeRemapEnabled

Description

True if time remapping is enabled for this layer.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

timeT The time index, in seconds. A floating-point value.

extents True to include the extents, false otherwise. Extents apply to shape layers, increasing the size of

the layer bounds as necessary.

After Effects scripting reference AVLayer object

AVLayer trackMatteType attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).trackMatteType

Description

If this layer has a track matte, specifies the way the track matte is applied.

Type

A TrackMatteType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

TrackMatteType.ALPHA

TrackMatteType.ALPHA_INVERTED

TrackMatteType.LUMA

TrackMatteType.LUMA_INVERTED

TrackMatteType.NO_TRACK_MATTE

AVLayer width attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).width

Description

The width of the layer in pixels.

Type

Floating-point; read-only.

After Effects scripting reference CameraLayer object

CameraLayer object

app.project.item(index).layer(index)

Description

The CameraLayer object represents a camera layer within a composition. Create it using the LayerCollection

object’s addCamera method; see “LayerCollection addCamera() method” on page 96. It can be accessed in an

item’s layer collection either by index number or by a name string.

•CameraLayer is a subclass of Layer. All methods and attributes of Layer are available when working with

CameraLayer. See “Layer object” on page 86.

AE Properties

CameraLayer defines no additional attributes, but has different AE properties than other layer types. It has the

following properties and property groups:

Marker

Transform

Point of Interest

Position

Scale

Orientation

X Rotation

Y Rotation

Rotation

Opacity

Camera Options

Zoom

Depth of Field

Focus Distance

Blur Level

After Effects scripting reference Collection object

Collection object

Like an array, a collection associates a set of objects or values as a logical group and provides access to them

by index. However, most collection objects are read-only. You do not assign objects to them yourself—their

contents update automatically as objects are created or deleted.

The index numbering of a collection starts with 1, not 0.

Objects

Attributes

Methods

Object Reference Description

ItemCollection “ItemCollection object” on page 82 All of the items (imported files, folders, solids, and so on) found in

the Project panel.

LayerCollection “LayerCollection object” on

page 95

All of the layers in a composition.

OMCollection “OMCollection object” on page 109 All of the Output Module items in the project.

RQItemCollection “RenderQueueItem object” on

page 163

All of the render-queue items in the project.

length The number of objects in the collection.

[] Retrieves an object in the collection by its index number. The first object is at index 1.

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

CompItem object

app.project.item(index)

app.project.items[index]

Description

The CompItem object represents a composition, and allows you to manipulate and get information about it.

Access the objects by position index number in a project’s item collection.

•CompItem is a subclass of AVItem, which is a subclass of Item. All methods and attributes of AVItem and

Item, in addition to those listed below, are available when working with CompItem. See “AVItem object” on

page 30 and “Item object” on page 78.

Example

Given that the first item in the project is a CompItem, the following code displays two alerts. The first shows

the number of layers in the CompItem, and the second shows the name of the last layer in the CompItem.

var firstComp = app.project.item(1);

alert("number of layers is " + firstComp.numLayers);

alert("name of last layer is " + firstComp.layer(firstComp.numLayers).name);

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

frameDuration “CompItem frameDuration attribute” on

page 55

The duration of a single frame.

dropFrame “CompItem dropFrame attribute” on

page 54

When true, indicates that the composi-

tion uses drop-frame timecode.

workAreaStart “CompItem workAreaStart attribute” on

page 60

The work area start time.

workAreaDuration “CompItem workAreaDuration attribute” on

page 59

The work area duration.

numLayers “CompItem numLayers attribute” on page 57 The number of layers in the composi-

tion.

hideShyLayers “CompItem hideShyLayers attribute” on

page 55

When true, shy layers are visible in the

Timeline panel.

motionBlur “CompItem motionBlur attribute” on

page 56

When true, motion blur is enabled for

this composition.

draft3d “CompItem draft3d attribute” on page 54 When true, Draft 3D mode is enabled

for the Composition panel.

frameBlending “CompItem frameBlending attribute” on

page 55

When true, time filtering is enabled for

this composition.

preserveNestedFrameRate “CompItem preserveNestedFrameRate attri-

bute” on page 57

When true, the frame rate of nested

compositions is preserved.

preserveNestedResolution “CompItem preserveNestedResolution attri-

bute” on page 58

When true, the resolution of nested

compositions is preserved.

bgColor “CompItem bgColor attribute” on page 54 The background color of the composi-

tion.

activeCamera “CompItem activeCamera attribute” on

page 53

The current active camera layer.

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

Methods

CompItem activeCamera attribute

app.project.item(index).activeCamera

Description

The active camera, which is the front-most camera layer that is enabled. The value is null if the composition

contains no enabled camera layers.

Type

CameraLayer object; read-only.

displayStartTime “CompItem displayStartTime attribute” on

page 54

Changes the display of the start time in

the Timeline panel.

resolutionFactor “CompItem resolutionFactor attribute” on

page 58

The factor by which the x and y resolu-

tion of the Composition panel is

downsampled.

shutterAngle “CompItem shutterAngle attribute” on

page 59

The camera shutter angle.

shutterPhase “CompItem shutterPhase attribute” on

page 59

The camera shutter phase.

motionBlurSamplesPerFrame “CompItem motionBlurSamplesPerFrame

attribute” on page 57

The minimum number of motion blur

samples per frame for Classic 3D layers,

shape layers, and certain effects.

motionBlurAdaptiveSampleLimit “CompItem motionBlurAdaptiveSample-

Limit attribute” on page 56

The maximum number of motion blur

samples of 2D layer motion.

layers “CompItem layers attribute” on page 56

“LayerCollection object” on page 95

The layers of the composition.

selectedLayers “CompItem selectedLayers attribute” on

page 59

The selected layers of the composition.

selectedProperties “CompItem selectedProperties attribute” on

page 59

The selected properties of the compo-

sition.

renderer “CompItem renderer attribute” on page 58 The rendering plug-in module to be

used to render this composition.

renderers “CompItem renderers attribute” on page 58 The set of available rendering plug-in

modules.

Method Reference Description

duplicate() “CompItem duplicate() method” on page 54 Creates and returns a duplicate of this composition.

layer() “CompItem layer() method” on page 55 Gets a layer from this composition.

openInViewer() “CompItem openInViewer() method” on

page 57

Opens the composition in a Composition panel.

Attribute Reference Description

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

CompItem bgColor attribute

app.project.item(index).bgColor

Description

The background color of the composition. The three array values specify the red, green, and blue components

of the color.

Type

An array containing three floating-point values, [R, G, B], in the range [0.0..1.0]; read/write.

CompItem displayStartTime attribute

app.project.item(index).displayStartTime

Description

The time set as the beginning of the composition, in seconds. This is the equivalent of the Start Timecode or

Start Frame setting in the Composition Settings dialog box.

Type

Floating-point value in the range [0.0...86339.0] (1 second less than 25 hours); read/write.

CompItem draft3d attribute

app.project.item(index).draft3d

Description

When true, Draft 3D mode is enabled for the Composition panel. This corresponds to the value of the Draft

3D button in the Composition panel.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

CompItem dropFrame attribute

app.project.item(index).dropFrame

Description

When true, indicates that the composition uses drop-frame timecode. When false, indicates non-drop-frame

timecode. This corresponds to the setting in the Composition Settings dialog box.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

CompItem duplicate() method

app.project.item(index).duplicate()

Description

Creates and returns a duplicate of this composition, which contains the same layers as the original.

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

Parameters

None.

Returns

CompItem object.

CompItem frameBlending attribute

app.project.item(index).frameBlending

Description

When true, frame blending is enabled for this Composition. Corresponds to the value of the Frame Blending

button in the Composition panel.

Type

Boolean; if true, frame blending is enabled; read/write.

CompItem frameDuration attribute

app.project.item(index).frameDuration

Description

The duration of a frame, in seconds. This is the inverse of the frameRate value (frames-per-second).

Type

Floating-point; read/write.

CompItem hideShyLayers attribute

app.project.item(index).hideShyLayers

Description

When true, only layers with shy set to false are shown in the Timeline panel. When false, all layers are visible,

including those whose shy value is true. Corresponds to the value of the Hide All Shy Layers button in the

Composition panel.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

CompItem layer() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index)

app.project.item(index).layer(otherLayer, relIndex)

app.project.item(index).layer(name)

Description

Returns a Layer object, which can be specified by name, an index position in this layer, or an index position

relative to another layer.

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

Parameters

—or—

Returns

Layer object.

CompItem layers attribute

app.project.item(index).layers

Description

A LayerCollection object that contains all the Layer objects for layers in this composition. See “LayerCol-

lection object” on page 95.

Type

LayerCollection object; read-only.

CompItem motionBlur attribute

app.project.item(index).motionBlur

Description

When true, motion blur is enabled for the composition. Corresponds to the value of the Motion Blur button

in the Composition panel.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

CompItem motionBlurAdaptiveSampleLimit attribute

app.project.item(index).motionBlurAdaptiveSampleLimit

Description

The maximum number of motion blur samples of 2D layer motion. This corresponds to the Adaptive Sample

Limit setting in the Advanced tab of the Composition Settings dialog box.

index The index number of the desired layer in this composition. An integer in the range [1...num-

Layers], where numLayers is the number of layers in the composition.

otherLayer A Layer object in this composition. The relIndex value is added to the index value of this

layer to find the position of the desired layer.

relIndex The position of the desired layer, relative to otherLayer. An integer in the range [1–other-

Layer.index...numLayers–otherLayer.index], where numLayers is the number of

layers in the composition.

This value is added to the otherLayer value to derive the absolute index of the layer to

return.

name The string containing the name of the desired layer.

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

Type

Integer (between 16 and 256); read/write.

CompItem motionBlurSamplesPerFrame attribute

app.project.item(index).motionBlurSamplesPerFrame

Description

The minimum number of motion blur samples per frame for Classic 3D layers, shape layers, and certain

effects. This corresponds to the Samples Per Frame setting in the Advanced tab of the Composition Settings

dialog box.

Type

Integer (between 2 and 64); read/write.

CompItem numLayers attribute

app.project.item(index).numLayers

Description

The number of layers in the composition.

Type

Integer; read-only.

CompItem openInViewer() method

app.project.item(index).openInViewer()

Description

Opens the composition in a Composition panel, and moves the Composition panel to front and gives it focus.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Viewer object for the Composition panel, or null if the composition could not be opened.

CompItem preserveNestedFrameRate attribute

app.project.item(index).preserveNestedFrameRate

Description

When true, the frame rate of nested compositions is preserved in the current composition. Corresponds to the

value of the “Preserve frame rate when nested or in render queue” option in the Advanced tab of the Compo-

sition Settings dialog box.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

CompItem preserveNestedResolution attribute

app.project.item(index).preserveNestedResolution

Description

When true, the resolution of nested compositions is preserved in the current composition. Corresponds to the

value of the “Preserve Resolution When Nested” option in the Advanced tab of the Composition Settings

dialog box.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

CompItem renderer attribute

app.project.item(index).renderer

Description

The current rendering plug-in module to be used to render this composition, as set in the Advanced tab of the

Composition Settings dialog box. Allowed values are the members of compItem.renderers.

Type

String; read/write.

CompItem renderers attribute

app.project.item(index).renderers

Description

The available rendering plug-in modules. Member strings reflect installed modules, as seen in the Advanced

tab of the Composition Settings dialog box.

Type

Array of strings; read-only.

CompItem resolutionFactor attribute

app.project.item(index).resolutionFactor

Description

The x and y downsample resolution factors for rendering the composition.

The two values in the array specify how many pixels to skip when sampling; the first number controls

horizontal sampling, the second controls vertical sampling. Full resolution is [1,1], half resolution is [2,2], and

quarter resolution is [4,4]. The default is [1,1].

Type

Array of two integers in the range [1..99]; read/write.

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

CompItem selectedLayers attribute

app.project.item(index).selectedLayers

Description

All of the selected layers in this composition. This is a 0-based array (the first object is at index 0).

Type

Array of Layer objects; read-only.

CompItem selectedProperties attribute

app.project.item(index).selectedProperties

Description

All of the selected properties (Property and PropertyGroup objects) in this composition. The first property is

at index position 0.

Type

Array of Property and PropertyGroup objects; read-only.

CompItem shutterAngle attribute

app.project.item(index).shutterAngle

Description

The shutter angle setting for the composition. This corresponds to the Shutter Angle setting in the Advanced

tab of the Composition Settings dialog box.

Type

Integer in the range [0...720]; read/write.

CompItem shutterPhase attribute

app.project.item(index).shutterPhase

Description

The shutter phase setting for the composition. This corresponds to the Shutter Phase setting in the Advanced

tab of the Composition Settings dialog box.

Type

Integer in the range [–360...360]; read/write.

CompItem workAreaDuration attribute

app.project.item(index).workAreaDuration

Description

The duration of the work area in seconds. This is the difference of the start-point and end-point times of the

Composition work area.

After Effects scripting reference CompItem object

Type

Floating-point; read/write.

CompItem workAreaStart attribute

app.project.item(index).workAreaStart

Description

The time when the Composition work area begins, in seconds.

Type

Floating-point; read/write.

After Effects scripting reference FileSource object

FileSource object

app.project.item(index).mainSource

app.project.item(index).proxySource

Description

The FileSource object describes footage that comes from a file.

•FileSource is a subclass of FootageSource. All methods and attributes of FootageSource, in addition to those

listed below, are available when working with FileSource. See “FootageSource object” on page 69.

Attributes

Methods

FileSource file attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.file

app.project.item(index).proxySource.file

Description

The ExtendScript File object for the file that defines this asset. To change the value:

•If this FileSource is a proxySource of an AVItem, call setProxy() or setProxyWithSequence().

•If this FileSource is a mainSource of a FootageItem, call replace() or replaceWithSequence().

Type

File object; read-only.

FileSource missingFootagePath attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.file.missingFootagePath

app.project.item(index).proxySource.file.missingFootagePath

Description

The path and filename of footage that is missing from this asset. See also “AVItem footageMissing attribute”

on page 31.

Type

String; read-only.

Attribute Reference Description

file “FileSource file attribute” on page 61 The file that defines this asset.

missingFootagePath “FileSource missingFootagePath attribute”

on page 61

The file that contains footage missing from this asset.

Method Reference Description

reload() “FileSource reload() method” on page 62 Reloads the asset from the file, if it is a mainSource of

a FootageItem.

After Effects scripting reference FileSource object

FileSource reload() method

app.project.item(index).mainSource.file.mainSource.reload()

Description

Reloads the asset from the file. This method can be called only on a mainSource, not a proxySource.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

After Effects scripting reference FolderItem object

FolderItem object

app.project.FolderItem

Description

The FolderItem object corresponds to a folder in your Project panel. It can contain various types of items

(footage, compositions, solids) as well as other folders.

Example

Given that the second item in the project is a FolderItem, the following code puts up an alert for each top-level

item in the folder, showing that item’s name.

var secondItem = app.project.item(2);

if ( !(secondItem instanceof FolderItem) ) {

alert("problem: second item is not a folder");

} else {

for (i = 1; i <= secondItem.numItems; i++) {

alert("item number " + i + " within the folder is named "

+ secondItem.item(i).name);

}

Attributes

Methods

FolderItem item() method

app.project.item(index).item

Description

Returns the top-level item in this folder at the specified index position. Note that “top-level” here means top-

level within the folder, not necessarily within the project.

Parameters

Returns

Item object.

Attribute Reference Description

items “FolderItem items attribute” on page 64 The contents of this folder.

numItems “FolderItem numItems attribute” on page 64 The number of items contained in the folder.

Method Reference Description

item() “FolderItem item() method” on page 63 Gets an item from the folder.

index An integer, the position index of the item to retrieve. The first item is at index 1.

After Effects scripting reference FolderItem object

FolderItem items attribute

app.project.item(index).items

Description

An ItemCollection object containing Item object that represent the top-level contents of this folder.

Unlike the ItemCollection in the Project object, this collection contains only the top-level items in the folder.

Top-level within the folder is not the same as top-level within the project. Only those items that are top-level

in the root folder are also top-level in the Project.

Type

ItemCollection object; read only.

FolderItem numItems attribute

app.project.item(index).numItems

Description

The number of items contained in the items collection (folderItem.items.length).

If the folder contains another folder, only the FolderItem for that folder is counted, not any subitems contained

in it.

Type

Integer; read only.

After Effects scripting reference FootageItem object

FootageItem object

app.project.item(index)

app.project.items[index]

Description

The FootageItem object represents a footage item imported into a project, which appears in the Project panel.

These are accessed by position index number in a project’s item collection.

•FootageItem is a subclass of AVItem, which is a subclass of Item. All methods and attributes of AVItem and

Item, in addition to those listed below, are available when working with FootageItem. See “AVItem object”

on page 30 and “Item object” on page 78.

Attributes

Methods

FootageItem file attribute

app.project.item(index).file

Description

The ExtendScript File object for the footage's source file.

If the FootageItem's mainSource is a FileSource, this is the same as FootageItem.mainSource.file. Otherwise

it is null.

Type

File object; read only.

Attribute Reference Description

file “FootageItem file attribute” on page 65 The footage source file.

mainSource “FootageItem mainSource attribute” on page 66 All settings related to the footage item.

Method Reference Description

replace() “FootageItem replace() method” on

page 66

Replaces a footage file with another footage file.

replaceWithPlaceholder() “FootageItem replaceWithPlaceholder()

method” on page 67

Replaces a footage file with a placeholder object.

replaceWithSequence() “FootageItem replaceWithSequence()

method” on page 67

Replaces a footage file with an image sequence.

replaceWithSolid() “FootageItem replaceWithSolid()

method” on page 67

Replaces a footage file with a solid.

openInViewer() “FootageItem openInViewer() method”

on page 66

Opens the footage in a Footage panel.

After Effects scripting reference FootageItem object

FootageItem mainSource attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource

Description

The footage source, an object that contains all of the settings related to that footage item, including those that

are normally accessed through the Interpret Footage dialog box. The attribute is read-only. To change its value,

call one of the FootageItem “replace” methods.

See the “FootageSource object” on page 69, and its three types:

•“SolidSource object” on page 179

•“FileSource object” on page 61

•“PlaceholderSource object” on page 113

If this is a FileSource object, and the footageMissing value is true, the path to the missing footage file is in the

FileSource.missingFootagePath attribute. See “AVItem footageMissing attribute” on page 31 and “FileSource

missingFootagePath attribute” on page 61.

Type

FootageSource object; read-only.

FootageItem openInViewer() method

app.project.item(index).openInViewer()

Description

Opens the footage in a Footage panel, and moves the Footage panel to front and gives it focus.

NOTE: Missing and placeholder footage can be opened using this method, but cannot manually (via double-

clicking it).

Parameters

None.

Returns

Viewer object for the Footage panel, or null if the footage could not be opened.

FootageItem replace() method

app.project.item(index).replace(file)

Description

Changes the source of this FootageItem to the specified file. In addition to loading the file, the method creates

a new FileSource object for the file and sets mainSource to that object. In the new source object, it sets the

name, width, height, frameDuration, and duration attributes (see “AVItem object” on page 30) based on the

contents of the file.

The method preserves interpretation parameters from the previous mainSource object. If the specified file has

an unlabeled alpha channel, the method estimates the alpha interpretation.

After Effects scripting reference FootageItem object

Parameters

FootageItem replaceWithPlaceholder() method

app.project.item(index).replaceWithPlaceholder(name, width, height, frameRate, duration)

Description

Changes the source of this FootageItem to the specified placeholder. Creates a new PlaceholderSource object,

sets its values from the parameters, and sets mainSource to that object.

Parameters

FootageItem replaceWithSequence() method

app.project.item(index).replaceWithSequence(file, forceAlphabetical)

Description

Changes the source of this FootageItem to the specified image sequence. In addition to loading the file, the

method creates a new FileSource object for the file and sets mainSource to that object. In the new source

object, it sets the name, width, height, frameDuration, and duration attributes (see “AVItem object” on

page 30) based on the contents of the file.

The method preserves interpretation parameters from the previous mainSource object. If the specified file has

an unlabeled alpha channel, the method estimates the alpha interpretation.

Parameters

FootageItem replaceWithSolid() method

app.project.item(index).replaceWithSolid(color, name, width, height, pixelAspect)

Description

Changes the source of this FootageItem to the specified solid. Creates a new SolidSource object, sets its values

from the parameters, and sets mainSource to that object.

file An ExtendScript File object for the file to be used as the footage main source.

name A string containing the name of the placeholder.

width The width of the placeholder in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

height The height of the placeholder in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

frameRate The frame rate of the placeholder, a floating-point value in the range [1.0..99.0]

duration The duration of the placeholder in seconds, a floating-point value in the range [0.0..10800.0].

file An ExtendScript File object for the first file in the sequence to be used as the footage main source.

forceAlphabetical When true, use the “Force alphabetical order” option.

After Effects scripting reference FootageItem object

Parameters

color The color of the solid, an array of three floating-point values, [R, G, B], in the range [0.0..1.0].

name A string containing the name of the solid.

width The width of the solid in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

height The height of the solid in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

pixelAspect The pixel aspect ratio of the solid, a floating-point value in the range [0.01..100.0].

After Effects scripting reference FootageSource object

FootageSource object

app.project.item(index).mainSource

app.project.item(index).proxySource

Description

The FootageSource object holds information describing the source of some footage. It is used as the

mainSource of a FootageItem, or the proxySource of a CompItem or FootageItem. See “FootageItem object”

on page 65 and “CompItem object” on page 52.

•FootageSource is the base class for SolidSource, so FootageSource attributes and methods are available

when working with SolidSource objects. See “SolidSource object” on page 179.

Attributes

Methods

Attribute Reference Description

hasAlpha “FootageSource hasAlpha attribute” on

page 72

When true, a footage clip or proxy includes an

alpha channel.

alphaMode “FootageSource alphaMode attribute”

on page 70

The mode of an alpha channel.

premulColor “FootageSource premulColor attribute”

on page 73

The color to be premultiplied.

invertAlpha “FootageSource invertAlpha attribute”

on page 72

When true, an alpha channel in a footage clip or

proxy should be inverted.

isStill “FootageSource isStill attribute” on

page 72

When true, footage is a still image.

fieldSeparationType “FootageSource fieldSeparationType

attribute” on page 71

The field separation type.

highQualityFieldSeparation “FootageSource highQualityFieldSepa-

ration attribute” on page 72

How the fields are to be separated in non-still foot-

age.

removePulldown “FootageSource removePulldown attri-

bute” on page 73

The pulldown type for the footage.

loop “FootageSource loop attribute” on

page 73

How many times an image sequence is set to loop.

nativeFrameRate “FootageSource nativeFrameRate attri-

bute” on page 73

The native frame rate of the footage.

displayFrameRate “FootageSource displayFrameRate

attribute” on page 70

The effective frame rate as displayed and rendered

in compositions by After Effects.

conformFrameRate “FootageSource conformFrameRate

attribute” on page 70

The rate to which footage should conform.

Method Reference Description

guessAlphaMode() “FootageSource guessAlphaMode()

method” on page 71

Estimates the alphaMode setting.

guessPulldown() “FootageSource guessPulldown()

method” on page 71

Estimates the pulldownType setting.

After Effects scripting reference FootageSource object

FootageSource alphaMode attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.alphaMode

app.project.item(index).proxySource.alphaMode

Description

The alphaMode attribute of footageSource defines how the alpha information in the footage is to be inter-

preted. If hasAlpha is false, this attribute has no relevant meaning.

Type

An AlphaMode enumerated value; (read/write). One of:

AlphaMode.IGNORE

AlphaMode.STRAIGHT

AlphaMode.PREMULTIPLIED

FootageSource conformFrameRate attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.conformFrameRate

app.project.item(index).proxySource.conformFrameRate

Description

A frame rate to use instead of the nativeFrameRate value. If set to 0, the nativeFrameRate is used instead.

It is an error to set this value if FootageSource.isStill is true. It is an error to set this value to 0 if remove-

Pulldown is not set to PulldownPhase.OFF. If this is 0 when you set removePulldown to a value other than

PulldownPhase.OFF, then this is automatically set to the value of nativeFrameRate.

Type

Floating-point value in the range [0.0.. 99.0]; read/write.

FootageSource displayFrameRate attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.displayFrameRate

app.project.item(index).proxySource.displayFrameRate

Description

The effective frame rate as displayed and rendered in compositions by After Effects.

If removePulldown is PulldownPhase.OFF, then this is the same as the conformFrameRate (if non-zero) or

the nativeFrameRate (if conformFrameRate is 0). If removePulldown is not PulldownPhase.OFF, this is

conformFrameRate * 0.8, the effective frame rate after removing 1 of every 5 frames.

Type

Floating-point value in the range [0.0.. 99.0]; read-only.

After Effects scripting reference FootageSource object

FootageSource fieldSeparationType attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.fieldSeparationType

app.project.item(index).proxySource.fieldSeparationType

Description

How the fields are to be separated in non-still footage.

It is an error to set this attribute if isStill is true. It is an error to set this value to FieldSeparationType.OFF if

removePulldown is not PulldownPhase.OFF.

Type

A FieldSeparationType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

FieldSeparationType.OFF

FieldSeparationType.UPPER_FIELD_FIRST

FieldSeparationType.LOWER_FIELD_FIRST

FootageSource guessAlphaMode() method

app.project.item(index).mainSource.guessAlphaMode()

app.project.item(index).proxySource.guessAlphaMode()

Description

Sets alphaMode, premulColor, and invertAlpha to the best estimates for this footage source. If hasAlpha is

false, no change is made.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

FootageSource guessPulldown() method

app.project.item(index).mainSource.guessPulldown(method)

app.project.item(index).proxySource.guessPulldown(method)

Description

Sets fieldSeparationType and removePulldown to the best estimates for this footage source. If isStill is true,

no change is made.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

method The method to use for estimation. A PulldownMethod enumerated value, one of:

PulldownMethod.PULLDOWN_3_2

PulldownMethod.ADVANCE_24P

After Effects scripting reference FootageSource object

FootageSource hasAlpha attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.hasAlpha

app.project.item(index).proxySource.hasAlpha

Description

When true, the footage has an alpha component. In this case, the attributes alphaMode, invertAlpha, and

premulColor have valid values. When false, those attributes have no relevant meaning for the footage.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

FootageSource highQualityFieldSeparation attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.highQualityFieldSeparation

app.project.item(index).proxySource.highQualityFieldSeparation

Description

When true, After Effects uses special algorithms to determine how to perform high-quality field separation.

It is an error to set this attribute if isStill is true, or if fieldSeparationType is FieldSeparationType.OFF.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

FootageSource invertAlpha attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.invertAlpha

app.project.item(index).proxySource.invertAlpha

Description

When true, an alpha channel in a footage clip or proxy should be inverted.

This attribute is valid only if an alpha is present. If hasAlpha is false, or if alphaMode is AlphaMode.IGNORE,

this attribute is ignored.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

FootageSource isStill attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.isStill

app.project.item(index).proxySource.isStill

Description

When true the footage is still; when false, it has a time-based component.

Examples of still footage are JPEG files, solids, and placeholders with duration of 0. Examples of non-still

footage are movie files, sound files, sequences, and placeholders of non-zero duration.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

After Effects scripting reference FootageSource object

FootageSource loop attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.loop

app.project.item(index).proxySource.loop

Description

The number of times that the footage is to be played consecutively when used in a composition.

It is an error to set this attribute if isStill is true.

Type

Integer in the range [1.. 9999]; default is 1; read/write.

FootageSource nativeFrameRate attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.nativeFrameRate

app.project.item(index).proxySource.nativeFrameRate

Description

The native frame rate of the footage.

Type

Floating-point; read/write.

FootageSource premulColor attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.premulColor

app.project.item(index).proxySource.premulColor

Description

The color to be premultiplied. This attribute is valid only if the alphaMode is alphaMode.PREMULTIPLIED.

Type

Array of three floating-point values [R, G, B], in the range [0.0..1.0]; read/write.

FootageSource removePulldown attribute

app.project.item(index).mainSource.removePulldown

app.project.item(index).proxySource.removePulldown

Description

How the pulldowns are to be removed when field separation is used.

It is an error to set this attribute if isStill is true. It is an error to attempt to set this to a value other than

PulldownPhase.OFF in the case where fieldSeparationType is FieldSeparationType.OFF.

Type

A PulldownPhase enumerated value; read/write. One of:

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.OFF

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.WSSWW

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.SSWWW

After Effects scripting reference FootageSource object

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.SWWWS

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.WWWSS

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.WWSSW

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.WSSWW_24P_ADVANCE

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.SSWWW_24P_ADVANCE

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.SWWWS_24P_ADVANCE

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.WWWSS_24P_ADVANCE

PulldownPhase.RemovePulldown.WWSSW_24P_ADVANCE

After Effects scripting reference ImportOptions object

ImportOptions object

new ImportOptions();

new ImportOptions(file);

Description

The ImportOptions object encapsulates the options used to import a file with the Project.importFile

methods. See “Project importFile() method” on page 118.

The constructor takes an optional parameter, an ExtendScript File object for the file. If it is not supplied, you

must explicitly set the value of the file attribute before using the object with the importFile method. For

example:

new ImportOptions().file = new File("myfile.psd");

Attributes

Methods

ImportOptions canImportAs() method

importOptions.canImportAs(type)

Description

Reports whether the file can be imported as the source of a particular object type. If this method returns true,

you can set the given type as the value of the importAs attribute. See “ImportOptions importAs attribute” on

page 76.

Parameters

Attributes Reference Description

importAs “ImportOptions importAs attribute” on

page 76

The type of file to be imported.

sequence “ImportOptions sequence attribute” on

page 77

When true, import a sequence of files, rather than an individ-

ual file.

forceAlphabetical “ImportOptions forceAlphabetical attri-

bute” on page 76

When true, the “Force alphabetical order” option is set.

file “ImportOptions file attribute” on

page 76

The file to import, or the first file of the sequence to import.

Method Reference Description

canImportAs() “ImportOptions canImportAs() method”

on page 75

Restricts input to a particular file type.

type The type of file that can be imported. An ImportAsType enumerated value; one of:

ImportAsType.COMP

ImportAsType.FOOTAGE

ImportAsType.COMP_CROPPED_LAYERS

ImportAsType.PROJECT

After Effects scripting reference ImportOptions object

Returns

Boolean.

Example

var io = new ImportOptions(File(“c:\\myFile.psd”));

if io.canImportAs(ImportAsType.COMP);

io.importAs = ImportAsType.COMP;

ImportOptions file attribute

importOptions.file

Description

The file to be imported. If a file is set in the constructor, you can access it through this attribute.

Type

ExtendScript File object; read/write.

ImportOptions forceAlphabetical attribute

importOptions.forceAlphabetical

Description

When true, has the same effect as setting the “Force alphabetical order” option in the File > Import > File

dialog box.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

ImportOptions importAs attribute

importOptions.importAs

Description

The type of object for which the imported file is to be the source. Before setting, use canImportAs to check

that a given file can be imported as the source of the given object type. See “ImportOptions canImportAs()

method” on page 75.

Type

An ImportAsType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

ImportAsType.COMP_CROPPED_LAYERS

ImportAsType.FOOTAGE

ImportAsType.COMP

ImportAsType.PROJECT

After Effects scripting reference ImportOptions object

ImportOptions sequence attribute

importOptions.sequence

Description

When true, a sequence is imported; otherwise, an individual file is imported.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

After Effects scripting reference Item object

Item object

app.project.item(index)

app.project.items[index]

Description

The Item object represents an item that can appear in the Project panel.

The first item is at index 1.

•Item is the base class for AVItem and for FolderItem, which are in turn the base classes for various other

item types, so Item attributes and methods are available when working with all of these item types. See

“AVItem object” on page 30 and “FolderItem object” on page 63.

Attributes

Methods

Example

This example gets the second item from the project and checks that it is a folder. It then removes from the

folder any top-level item that is not currently selected. It also checks to make sure that, for each item in the

folder, the parent is properly set to the correct folder.

var myFolder = app.project.item(2);

if (myFolder.typeName != "Folder") {

alert("error: second item is not a folder");

}

else {

var numInFolder = myFolder.numItems;

// Always run loops backwards when deleting things:

for(i = numInFolder; i >= 1; i--) {

var curItem = myFolder.item(i);

if ( curItem.parentFolder != myFolder) {

alert("error within AE: the parentFolder is not set correctly");

}

else {

if ( !curItem.selected && curItem.typeName == "Footage") {

Attributes Reference Description

name “Item name attribute” on page 79 The name of the object as shown in the Project panel.

comment “Item comment attribute” on page 79 A descriptive string.

id “Item id attribute” on page 79 A unique identifier for this item.

parentFolder “Item parentFolder attribute” on page 80 The parent folder of this item.

selected “Item selected attribute” on page 80 When true, this item is currently selected.

typeName “Item typeName attribute” on page 81 The type of item.

label “Item label attribute” on page 79 The label color for the item.

Method Reference Description

remove() “Item remove() method” on page 80 Deletes the item from the project.

After Effects scripting reference Item object

//found an unselected solid.

curItem.remove();

}

Item comment attribute

app.project.item(index).comment

Description

A string that holds a comment, up to 15,999 bytes in length after any encoding conversion. The comment is

for the user's purpose only; it has no effect on the item's appearance or behavior.

Type

String; read/write.

Item id attribute

app.project.item(index).id

Description

A unique and persistent identification number used internally to identify an item between sessions. The value

of the ID remains the same when the project is saved to a file and later reloaded. However, when you import

this project into another project, new IDs are assigned to all items in the imported project. The ID is not

displayed anywhere in the user interface.

Type

Integer; read-only.

Item label attribute

app.project.item(index).label

Description

The label color for the item. Colors are represented by their number (0 for None, or 1 to 16 for one of the preset

colors in the Labels preferences).

Custom label colors cannot be set programmatically.

Type

Integer (0 to 16); read/write.

Item name attribute

app.project.item(index).name

Description

The name of the item as displayed in the Project panel.

After Effects scripting reference Item object

Type

String; read/write.

Item parentFolder attribute

app.project.item(index).parentFolder

Description

The FolderItem object for the folder that contains this item. If this item is at the top level of the project, this is

the project's root folder (app.project.rootFolder). You can use the ItemCollection’s addFolder method to add

a new folder, and set this value to put items in the new folder. See “ItemCollection addFolder() method” on

page 82.

Type

FolderItem object; read/write.

Example

This script creates a new FolderItem in the Project panel and moves compositions into it.

// create a new FolderItem in project, with name “comps”

var compFolder = app.project.items.addFolder(“comps”);

// move all compositions into new folder by setting

// compItem’s parentFolder to “comps” folder

for(var i = 1; i <= app.project.numItems; i++) {

if(app.project.item(i) instanceof CompItem)

app.project.item(i).parentFolder = compFolder;

}

Item remove() method

app.project.item(index).remove()

Description

Deletes this item from the project and from the Project panel. If the item is a FolderItem, all the items

contained in the folder are also removed from the project. No files or folders are removed from disk.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

Item selected attribute

app.project.item(index).selected

Description

When true, this item is selected. Multiple items can be selected at the same time. Set to true to select the item

programmatically, or to false to deselect it.

After Effects scripting reference Item object

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Item typeName attribute

app.project.item(index).typeName

Description

A user-readable name for the item type; for example, “Folder”, “Footage”, or “Composition”.

Type

String; read-only.

After Effects scripting reference ItemCollection object

ItemCollection object

app.project.items

Description

The ItemCollection object represents a collection of items. The ItemCollection belonging to a Project object

contains all the Item objects for items in the project. The ItemCollection belonging to a FolderItem object

contains all the Item objects for items in that folder.

•ItemCollection is a subclass of Collection. All methods and attributes of Collection, in addition to those

listed below, are available when working with ItemCollection. See “Collection object” on page 51.

Methods

ItemCollection addComp() method

app.project.items.addComp(name, width, height, pixelAspect, duration, frameRate)

Description

Creates a new composition. Creates and returns a new CompItem object and adds it to this collection.

If the ItemCollection belongs to the project or the root folder, then the new item’s parentFolder is the root

folder. If the ItemCollection belongs to any other folder, the new item’s parentFolder is that FolderItem.

Parameters

Returns

CompItem object.

ItemCollection addFolder() method

app.project.items.addFolder(name)

Description

Creates a new folder. Creates and returns a new FolderItem object and adds it to this collection.

Method Reference Description

addComp() “ItemCollection addComp() method” on

page 82

Creates a new CompItem object and adds it to the collection.

addFolder() “ItemCollection addFolder() method” on

page 82

Creates a new FolderItem object and adds it to the collection.

name A string containing the name of the composition.

width The width of the composition in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

height The height of the composition in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

pixelAspect The pixel aspect ratio of the composition, a floating-point value in the range [0.01..100.0].

duration The duration of the composition in seconds, a floating-point value in the range [0.0..10800.0].

frameRate The frame rate of the composition, a floating-point value in the range [1.0..99.0]

After Effects scripting reference ItemCollection object

If the ItemCollection belongs to the project or the root folder, then the new folder’s parentFolder is the root

folder. If the ItemCollection belongs to any other folder, the new folder’s parentFolder is that FolderItem.

To put items in the folder, set the item object’s parentFolder attribute; see “Item parentFolder attribute” on

page 80.

Parameters

Returns

FolderItem object.

Example

This script creates a new FolderItem in the Project panel and moves compositions into it.

// create a new FolderItem in project, with name “comps”

var compFolder = app.project.items.addFolder(“comps”);

// move all compositions into new folder by setting

// compItem’s parentFolder to “comps” folder

for(var i = 1; i <= app.project.numItems; i++) {

if(app.project.item(i) instanceof CompItem)

app.project.item(i).parentFolder = compFolder;

}

name A string containing the name of the folder.

After Effects scripting reference KeyframeEase object

KeyframeEase object

myKey = new KeyframeEase(speed, influence);

Description

The KeyframeEase object encapsulates the keyframe ease settings of a layer’s AE property. Keyframe ease is

determined by the speed and influence values that you set using the property’s setTemporalEaseAtKey

method. See “Property setTemporalEaseAtKey() method” on page 144.

The constructor creates a KeyframeEase object. Both parameters are required.

•speed: A floating-point value. Sets the speed attribute.

•influence: A floating-point value in the range [0.1..100.0]. Sets the influence attribute.

Example

This example assumes that the Position, a spatial property, has more than two keyframes.

var easeIn = new KeyframeEase(0.5, 50);

var easeOut = new KeyframeEase(0.75, 85);

var myPositionProperty = app.project.item(1).layer(1).property("Position")

myPositionProperty.setTemporalEaseAtKey(2, [easeIn], [easeOut]);

This example sets the Scale, a temporal property with either two or three dimensions. For 2D and 3D

properties you must set an easeIn and easeOut value for each dimension:

var easeIn = new KeyframeEase(0.5, 50);

var easeOut = new KeyframeEase(0.75, 85);

var myScaleProperty = app.project.item(1).layer(1).property("Scale")

myScaleProperty.setTemporalEaseAtKey(2, [easeIn, easeIn, easeIn], [easeOut, easeOut, easeOut]);

Attributes

KeyframeEase influence attribute

myKey.influence

Description

The influence value of the keyframe, as shown in the Keyframe Velocity dialog box.

Type

Floating-point value in the range [0.1..100.0]; read/write.

Attribute Reference Description

speed “KeyframeEase speed attribute” on page 85 The speed setting for a keyframe.

influence “KeyframeEase influence attribute” on page 84 The influence setting for a keyframe.

After Effects scripting reference KeyframeEase object

KeyframeEase speed attribute

myKey.speed

Description

The speed value of the keyframe. The units depend on the type of keyframe, and are displayed in the Keyframe

Velocity dialog box.

Type

Floating-point value; read/write.

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Layer object

app.project.item(index).layer(index)

Description

The Layer object provides access to layers within compositions. It can be accessed from an item’s layer

collection either by index number or by a name string.

•Layer is the base class for CameraLayer, LightLayer, and AVLayer, so Layer attributes and methods are

available when working with all layer types. See “AVLayer object” on page 38,

“CameraLayer object” on page 50, and “LightLayer object” on page 100.

Layers contain AE properties, in addition to their JavaScript attributes and methods. For examples of how to

access properties in layers, see “PropertyBase object” on page 148.

Example

If the first item in the project is a CompItem, this example disables the first layer in that composition and

renames it. This might, for example, turn an icon off in the composition.

var firstLayer = app.project.item(1).layer(1);

firstLayer.enabled = false;

firstLayer.name = "Disabled Layer";

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

index “Layer index attribute” on page 90 The index position of the layer.

name “Layer name attribute” on page 92 The name of the layer.

parent “Layer parent attribute” on page 92 The parent of this layer.

time “Layer time attribute” on page 94 The current time of the layer.

startTime “Layer startTime attribute” on page 94 The start time of the layer.

stretch “Layer stretch attribute” on page 94 The time stretch percentage of the layer.

inPoint “Layer inPoint attribute” on page 90 The “in” point of the layer.

outPoint “Layer outPoint attribute” on page 92 The “out” point of the layer.

enabled “Layer enabled attribute” on page 89 When true, the layer is enabled.

solo “Layer solo attribute” on page 94 When true, the layer is soloed.

shy “Layer shy attribute” on page 93 When true, the layer is shy.

locked “Layer locked attribute” on page 90 When true, the layer is locked.

hasVideo “Layer hasVideo attribute” on page 89 When true, the layer contains a video component.

active “Layer active attribute” on page 87 When true, the layer is active at the current time.

nullLayer “Layer nullLayer attribute” on page 92 When true, this is a null layer.

selectedProperties “Layer selectedProperties attribute” on page 93 All selected AE properties in the layer.

comment “Layer comment attribute” on page 88 A descriptive comment for the layer.

containingComp “Layer containingComp attribute” on page 88 The composition that contains this layer.

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Methods

Layer active attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).active

Description

When true, the layer's video is active at the current time.

For this to be true, the layer must be enabled, no other layer may be soloing unless this layer is soloed too, and

the time must be between the inPoint and outPoint values of this layer.

This value is never true in an audio layer; there is a separate audioActive attribute in the AVLayer object.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Layer activeAtTime() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).activeAtTime(time)

Description

Returns true if this layer will be active at the specified time. To return true, the layer must be enabled, no other

layer may be soloing unless this layer is soloed too, and the time must be between the inPoint and outPoint

values of this layer.

isNameSet “Layer isNameSet attribute” on page 90 When true, the layer’s name has been explicitly set.

Method Reference Description

remove() “Layer remove() method” on page 93 Deletes the layer from the composition.

moveToBeginning() “Layer moveToBeginning() method” on

page 91

Moves the layer to the top of the composition (makes it the

first layer).

moveToEnd() “Layer moveToEnd() method” on

page 91

Moves the layer to the bottom of the composition (makes it

the last layer).

moveAfter() “Layer moveAfter() method” on page 90 Moves the layer below another layer.

moveBefore() “Layer moveBefore() method” on

page 91

Moves the layer above another layer.

duplicate() “Layer duplicate() method” on page 89 Duplicates the layer.

copyToComp() “Layer copyToComp() method” on

page 89

Copies the layer to the top (beginning) of another compo-

sition.

activeAtTime() “Layer activeAtTime() method” on

page 87

Reports whether this layer will be active at a specified time.

setParentWithJump() “Layer setParentWithJump() method”

on page 93

Sets a new parent for this layer.

applyPreset() “Layer applyPreset() method” on

page 88

Applies a named collection of animation settings to the

layer.

Attribute Reference Description

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Layer applyPreset() method

appapp.project.item(index).layer(index).applyPreset(presetName);

Description

Applies the specified collection of animation settings (an animation preset) to the layer. Predefined animation

preset files are installed in the Presets folder, and users can create new animation presets through the user

interface.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Layer comment attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).comment

Description

A descriptive comment for the layer.

Type

String; read/write.

Layer containingComp attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).containingComp

Description

The composition that contains this layer.

Type

CompItem object; read-only.

time The time in seconds, a floating-point value.

presetName An ExtendScript File object for the file containing the animation preset.

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Layer copyToComp() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).copyToComp(intoComp)

Description

Copies the layer into the specified composition. The original layer remains unchanged. Creates a new Layer

object with the same values as this one, and prepends the new object to the layers collection in the target

CompItem. Retrieve the copy using intoComp.layer(1).

Copying in a layer changes the index positions of previously existing layers in the target composition. This is

the same as copying and pasting a layer through the user interface.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Layer duplicate() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).duplicate()

Description

Duplicates the layer. Creates a new Layer object in which all values are the same as in this one. This has the

same effect as selecting a layer in the user interface and choosing Edit > Duplicate, except the selection in the

user interface does not change when you call this method.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Layer object.

Layer enabled attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).enabled

Description

When true, the layer is enabled; otherwise false. This corresponds to the video switch state of the layer in the

Timeline panel.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Layer hasVideo attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).hasVideo

Description

When true, the layer has a video switch (the eyeball icon) in the Timeline panel; otherwise false.

intoComp The target composition, and CompItem object.

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Layer index attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).index

Description

The index position of the layer.

Type

Integer in the range [1..numLayers]; read-only.

Layer inPoint attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).inPoint

Description

The “in” point of the layer, expressed in composition time (seconds).

Type

Floating-point value in the range [-10800.0..10800.0] (minus or plus three hours); read/write.

Layer isNameSet attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).isNameSet

Description

True if the value of the name attribute has been set explicitly, rather than automatically from the source.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Layer locked attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).locked

Description

When true, the layer is locked; otherwise false. This corresponds to the lock toggle in the Layer panel.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Layer moveAfter() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).moveAfter(layer)

Description

Moves this layer to a position immediately after (below) the specified layer.

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Layer moveBefore() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).moveBefore(layer)

Description

Moves this layer to a position immediately before (above) the specified layer.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Layer moveToBeginning() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).moveToBeginning()

Description

Moves this layer to the topmost position of the layer stack (the first layer).

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

Layer moveToEnd() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).moveToEnd()

Description

Moves this layer to the bottom position of the layer stack (the last layer).

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

layer The target layer, a layer object in the same composition.

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Layer name attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).name

Description

The name of the layer. By default, this is the same as the Source name (which cannot be changed in the Layer

panel), but you can set it to be different.

Type

String; read/write.

Layer nullLayer attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).nullLayer

Description

When true, the layer was created as a null object; otherwise false.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Layer outPoint attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).outPoint

Description

The “out” point of the layer, expressed in composition time (seconds).

Type

Floating-point value in the range [-10800.0..10800.0] (minus or plus three hours); read/write.

Layer parent attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).parent

Description

The parent of this layer; can be null.

Offset values are calculated to counterbalance any transforms above this layer in the hierarchy, so that when

you set the parent there is no apparent jump in the layer's transform. For example, if the new parent has a

rotation of 30 degrees, the child layer is assigned a rotation of -30 degrees.

To set the parent without changing the child layer's transform values, use the setParentWithJump method.

Type

Layer object or null; read/write.

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Layer remove() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).remove()

Description

Deletes the specified layer from the composition.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

Layer selectedProperties attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).selectedProperties

Description

An array containing all of the currently selected Property and PropertyGroup objects in the layer.

Type

Array of PropertyBase objects; read-only.

Layer setParentWithJump() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).setParentWithJump()

app.project.item(index).layer(index).setParentWithJump(newParent)

Description

Sets the parent of this layer to the specified layer, without changing the transform values of the child layer.

There may be an apparent jump in the rotation, translation, or scale of the child layer, as this layer’s transform

values are combined with those of its ancestors.

If you do not want the child layer to jump, set the parent attribute directly. In this case, an offset is calculated

and set in the child layer's transform fields, to prevent the jump from occurring.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Layer shy attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).shy

Description

When true, the layer is “shy,” meaning that it is hidden in the Layer panel if the composition’s “Hide all shy

layers” option is toggled on.

newParent Optional, a layer object in the same composition. If not specified, it sets the parent to None.

After Effects scripting reference Layer object

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Layer solo attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).solo

Description

When true, the layer is soloed, otherwise false.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Layer startTime attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).startTime

Description

The start time of the layer, expressed in composition time (seconds).

Type

Floating-point value in the range [-10800.0..10800.0] (minus or plus three hours); read/write.

Layer stretch attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).stretch

Description

The layer’s time stretch, expressed as a percentage. A value of 100 means no stretch. Values between 0 and 1

are set to 1, and values between -1 and 0 (not including 0) are set to -1.

Type

Floating-point value in the range [-9900.0..9900.0]; read/write.

Layer time attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).time

Description

The current time of the layer, expressed in composition time (seconds).

Type

Floating-point value; read-only.

After Effects scripting reference LayerCollection object

LayerCollection object

app.project.item(index).layers

Description

The LayerCollection object represents a set of layers. The LayerCollection belonging to a CompItem object

contains all the layer objects for layers in the composition. The methods of the collection object allow you to

manipulate the layer list.

•LayerCollection is a subclass of Collection. All methods and attributes of Collection, in addition to those

listed below, are available when working with LayerCollection. See “Collection object” on page 51.

Example

Given that the first item in the project is a CompItem and the second item is an AVItem, this example shows

the number of layers in the CompItem's layer collection, adds a new layer based on an AVItem in the project,

then displays the new number of layers.

var firstComp = app.project.item(1);

var layerCollection = firstComp.layers;

alert("number of layers before is " + layerCollection.length);

var anAVItem = app.project.item(2);

layerCollection.add(anAVItem);

alert("number of layers after is " + layerCollection.length);

Methods

Method Reference Description

add() “LayerCollection add() method” on

page 96

Creates a new AVLayer and adds it to this collection.

addNull() “LayerCollection addNull() method” on

page 97

Creates a new, null layer and adds it to this collection.

addSolid() “LayerCollection addSolid() method” on

page 98

Creates a new layer, a FootageItem with a SolidSource, and adds it

to this collection.

addText() “LayerCollection addText() method” on

page 98

Creates a new point text layer and adds it to this collection.

addBoxText() “LayerCollection addBoxText() method”

on page 96

Creates a new paragraph (box) text layer and adds it to this collec-

tion.

addCamera() “LayerCollection addCamera() method”

on page 96

Creates a new camera layer and adds it to this collection.

addLight() “LayerCollection addLight() method” on

page 97

Creates a new light layer and adds it to this collection.

addShape() “LayerCollection addShape() method”

on page 97

Creates a new shape layer and adds it to this collection.

byName() “LayerCollection byName() method” on

page 99

Retrieves the layer object with a specified name.

precompose() “LayerCollection precompose()

method” on page 99

Collects specified layers into a new composition.

After Effects scripting reference LayerCollection object

LayerCollection add() method

app.project.item(index).layers.add(item, duration)

Description

Creates a new AVLayer object containing the specified item, and adds it to this collection.

The new layer honors the Create Layers at Composition Start Time preference.

This method generates an exception if the item cannot be added as a layer to this CompItem.

Parameters

Returns

AVLayer object.

LayerCollection addBoxText() method

app.project.item(index).layers.addBoxText(sourceText)

Description

Creates a new paragraph (box) text layer and adds the new TextLayer object to this collection.

To create a point text layer, use the addText() method. For more information, see “LayerCollection addText()

method” on page 98.

Parameters

Returns

TextL ayer object.

LayerCollection addCamera() method

app.project.item(index).layers.addCamera(name, centerPoint)

Description

Creates a new camera layer and adds the CameraLayer object to this collection.

The new layer honors the Create Layers at Composition Start Time preference.

Parameters

item The AVItem object for the item to be added.

duration Optional, the length of a still layer in seconds, a floating-point value. Used only if the item contains a piece of

still footage. Has no effect on movies, sequences or audio.

If supplied, sets the duration value of the new layer. Otherwise, the duration value is set according to user

preferences. By default, this is the same as the duration of the containing CompItem. To set another preferred

value, choose Edit > Preferences > Import (Windows) or After Effects > Preferences > Import (Mac OS), and spec-

ify options under Still Footage.

sourceText Optional; a string containing the source text of the new layer, or a TextDocument object contain-

ing the source text of the new layer. See “TextDocument object” on page 182.

name A string containing the name of the new layer.

After Effects scripting reference LayerCollection object

Returns

CameraLayer object.

LayerCollection addLight() method

app.project.item(index).layers.addLight(name, centerPoint)

Description

Creates a new light layer and adds the LightLayer object to this collection.

The new layer honors the Create Layers at Composition Start Time preference.

Parameters

Returns

LightLayer object.

LayerCollection addNull() method

app.project.item(index).layers.addNull(duration)

Description

Creates a new null layer and adds the AVLayer object to this collection. This is the same as choosing

Layer > New > Null Object.

Parameters

Returns

AVLayer object.

LayerCollection addShape() method

app.project.item(index).layers.addShape()

Description

Creates a new ShapeLayer object for a new, empty Shape layer. Use the ShapeLayer object to add properties,

such as shape, fill, stroke, and path filters.

centerPoint The center of the new camera, a floating-point array [x, y]. This is used to set the initial x and y values of the

new camera’s Point of Interest property. The z value is set to 0.

name A string containing the name of the new layer.

centerPoint The center of the new light, a floating-point array [x, y].

duration Optional, the length of a still layer in seconds, a floating-point value.

If supplied, sets the duration value of the new layer. Otherwise, the duration value is set according to user

preferences. By default, this is the same as the duration of the containing CompItem. To set another preferred

value, choose Edit > Preferences > Import (Windows) or After Effects > Preferences > Import (Mac OS), and specify

options under Still Footage.

After Effects scripting reference LayerCollection object

This is the same as using a shape tool in "Tool Creates Shape" mode. Tools automatically add a vector group

that includes Fill and Stroke as specified in the tool options.

Parameters

None.

Returns

ShapeLayer object.

LayerCollection addSolid() method

app.project.item(index).layers.addSolid(color, name, width, height, pixelAspect, duration)

Description

Creates a new SolidSource object, with values set as specified; sets the new SolidSource as the mainSource

value of a new FootageItem object, and adds the FootageItem to the project. Creates a new AVLayer object,

sets the new FootageItem as its source, and adds the layer to this collection.

Parameters

Returns

AVLayer object.

LayerCollection addText() method

app.project.item(index).layers.addText(sourceText)

Description

Creates a new point text layer and adds the new TextLayer object to this collection.

To create a paragraph (box) text layer, use the addBoxText() method. For more information, see “LayerCol-

lection addBoxText() method” on page 96.

Parameters

color The color of the solid, an array of three floating-point values, [R, G, B], in the range [0.0..1.0].

name A string containing the name of the solid.

width The width of the solid in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

height The height of the solid in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

pixelAspect The pixel aspect ratio of the solid, a floating-point value in the range [0.01..100.0].

duration Optional, the length of a still layer in seconds, a floating-point value.

If supplied, sets the duration value of the new layer. Otherwise, the duration value is set according to

user preferences. By default, this is the same as the duration of the containing CompItem. To set another

preferred value, choose Edit > Preferences > Import (Windows) or After Effects > Preferences > Import (Mac

OS), and specify options under Still Footage.

sourceText Optional; a string containing the source text of the new layer, or a TextDocument object contain-

ing the source text of the new layer. See “TextDocument object” on page 182.

After Effects scripting reference LayerCollection object

Returns

TextL ayer object.

LayerCollection byName() method

app.project.item(index).layers.byName(name)

Description

Returns the first (topmost) layer found in this collection with the specified name, or null if no layer with the

given name is found.

Parameters

Returns

Layer object or null.

LayerCollection precompose() method

app.project.item(index).layers.precompose(layerIndicies, name, moveAllAttributes)

Description

Creates a new CompItem object and moves the specified layers into its layer collection. It removes the

individual layers from this collection, and adds the new CompItem to this collection.

Parameters

Returns

CompItem object.

name A string containing the name.

layerIndices The position indexes of the layers to be collected. An array of integers.

name The name of the new CompItem object.

moveAllAttributes Optional. When true (the default), retains all attributes in the new composition.

This is the same as selecting the “Move all attributes into the new composition”

option in the Pre-compose dialog box.

You can only set this to false if there is just one index in the layerIndices array.

This is the same as selecting the “Leave all attributes in” option in the Pre-com-

pose dialog box.

100

After Effects scripting reference LightLayer object

100

LightLayer object

app.project.item(index).layer(index)

Description

The LightLayer object represents a light layer within a composition. Create it using the LayerCollection

object’s addLight method; see “LayerCollection addLight() method” on page 97. It can be accessed in an item’s

layer collection either by index number or by a name string.

•LightLayer is a subclass of Layer. All methods and attributes of Layer are available when working with Light-

Layer. See “Layer object” on page 86.

AE Properties

LightLayer defines no additional attributes, but has different AE properties than other layer types. It has the

following properties and property groups:

Marker

Transform

Point of Interest

Position

Scale

Orientation

X Rotation

Y Rotation

Rotation

Opacity

Light Options

Intensity

Color

Cone Angle

Cone Feather

Casts Shadows

Shadow Darkness

Shadow Diffusion

Attributes

LightLayer lightType attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).lightType

Description

For a light layer, its light type.

Trying to set this attribute for a non-light layer produces an error.

Attribute Reference Description

lightType “LightLayer lightType attribute” on page 100 For light layers, the type of light.

101

After Effects scripting reference LightLayer object

101

Type

A LightType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

LightType.PARALLEL

LightType.SPOT

LightType.POINT

LightType.AMBIENT

102

After Effects scripting reference MarkerValue object

102

MarkerValue object

new MarkerValue(comment, chapter, url, frameTarget, cuePointName, params)

Description

The MarkerValue object represents a layer marker, which associates a comment, and optionally a chapter

reference point, Web-page link, or Flash Video cue point with a particular point in a layer. Create it with the

constructor; all arguments except comment are optional. All arguments are strings that set in the corre-

sponding attributes of the returned MarkerValue object, except params. This is an array containing key-value

pairs., which can then be accessed with the getParameters() and setParameters() methods. A script can set

any number of parameter pairs; the order does not reflect the order displayed in the application.

To associate a marker with a layer, set the MarkerValue object in the Marker AE property of the layer:

layerObject.property("Marker").setValueAtTime(time, markerValueObject);

For information on the usage of markers see “Using markers” in After Effects Help.

Attributes

Methods

Examples

•To set a marker that says “Fade Up” at the 2 second mark:

var myMarker = new MarkerValue("Fade Up");

myLayer.property("Marker").setValueAtTime(2, myMarker);

Attribute Reference Description

comment “MarkerValue comment attribute” on

page 103

A comment on the associated layer.

duration “MarkerValue duration attribute” on

page 103

The amount of time represented by the marker.

chapter “MarkerValue chapter attribute” on

page 103

A chapter link reference point for the associated layer.

cuePointName “MarkerValue cuePointName attribute”

on page 103

The Flash Video cue point name.

eventCuePoint “MarkerValue eventCuePoint attribute”

on page 104

Whether the Flash Video cue point is for an event or navigation.

url “MarkerValue url attribute” on page 105 A URL for Web page to be associated with the layer.

frameTarget “MarkerValue frameTarget attribute” on

page 104

A specific frame target within the Web page specified by url.

Method Reference Description

getParameters() “MarkerValue getParameters() method”

on page 104

Retrieves the key-value pairs associated with the marker value.

setParameters() “MarkerValue setParameters() method”

on page 104

Sets the key-value pairs associated with the marker value.

103

After Effects scripting reference MarkerValue object

103

•To get comment values from a particular marker:

var commentOfFirstMarker = app.project.item(1).layer(1).property("Marker").keyValue(1).comment;

var commentOfMarkerAtTime4 =

app.project.item(1).layer(1).property("Marker").valueAtTime(4.0,true).comment

var markerProperty = app.project.item(1).layer(1).property("Marker");

var markerValueAtTimeClosestToTime4 =

markerProperty.keyValue(markerProperty.nearestKeyIndex(4.0));

var commentOfMarkerClosestToTime4 = markerValueAtTimeClosestToTime4.comment;

MarkerValue chapter attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).chapter

Description

A text chapter link for this marker. Chapter links initiate a jump to a chapter in a QuickTime movie or in other

formats that support chapter marks.

Type

String; read/write.

MarkerValue comment attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).comment

Description

A text comment for this marker. This comment appears in the Timeline panel next to the layer marker.

Type

String; read/write.

MarkerValue cuePointName attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).cuePointName

Description

The Flash Video cue point name, as shown in the Marker dialog box.

Type

String; read/write.

MarkerValue duration attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).duration

Description

The marker’s duration, in seconds. The duration appears in the Timeline panel as a short bar extending from

the marker location.

Type

Floating point; read/write.

104

After Effects scripting reference MarkerValue object

104

MarkerValue eventCuePoint attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).eventCuePoint

Description

When true, the FlashVideo cue point is for an event; otherwise, it is for navigation.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

MarkerValue frameTarget attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).frameTarget

Description

A text frame target for this marker. Together with the URL value, this targets a specific frame within a Web

page.

Type

String; read/write.

MarkerValue getParameters() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).getParameters()

Description

Returns the key-value pairs for Flash Video cue-point parameters, for a cue point associated with this marker

value.

Parameters

None.

Returns

An object with an attribute matching each parameter name, containing that parameter’s value.

MarkerValue setParameters() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).setParameters(keyValuePairs)

Description

Associates a set of key-value pairs for Flash Video cue-point parameters, for a cue point associated with this

marker value. A cue point can have any number of parameters, but you can add only three through the user

interface; use this method to add more than three parameters.

Parameters

keyValuePairs An object containing the key-value pairs as attributes and values. The object’s toString()

method is called to assign the string value of each attribute to the named key.

105

After Effects scripting reference MarkerValue object

105

Returns

Nothing.

Example

var mv = new MarkerValue("My Marker");

var parms = new Object;

parms.timeToBlink = 1;

parms.assignMe = "A string"

mv.setParameters(parms);

myLayer.property("Marker").setValueAtTime(2, mv);

MarkerValue url attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Marker").keyValue(index).url

Description

A URL for this marker. This URL is an automatic link to a Web page.

Type

String; read/write.

106

After Effects scripting reference MaskPropertyGroup object

106

MaskPropertyGroup object

app.project.item(index).layer(index).mask

Description

The MaskPropertyGroup object encapsulates mask attributes in a layer.

•MaskPropertyGroup is a subclass of PropertyGroup. All methods and attributes of PropertyBase and

PropertyGroup, in addition to those listed below, are available when working with MaskPropertyGroup. See

“PropertyBase object” on page 148 and “PropertyGroup object” on page 155.

Attributes

MaskPropertyGroup color attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).mask(index).color

Description

The color used to draw the mask outline as it appears in the user interface (Composition panel, Layer panel,

and Timeline panel).

Type

Array of three floating-point values, [R, G, B], in the range [0.0..1.0]; read/write.

MaskPropertyGroup inverted attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).mask(index).inverted

Description

When true, the mask is inverted; otherwise false.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Attribute Reference Description

maskMode “MaskPropertyGroup maskMode attribute”

on page 107

The mask mode.

inverted “MaskPropertyGroup inverted attribute” on

page 106

When true, the mask is inverted.

rotoBezier “MaskPropertyGroup rotoBezier attribute”

on page 108

When true, the shape of the mask is RotoBezier.

maskMotionBlur “MaskPropertyGroup maskMotionBlur attri-

bute” on page 107

How motion blur is applied to this mask.

locked “MaskPropertyGroup locked attribute” on

page 107

When true, the mask is locked.

color “MaskPropertyGroup color attribute” on

page 106

The color used to draw the mask outline in the user

interface.

maskFeatherFalloff “MaskPropertyGroup maskFeatherFalloff

attribute” on page 107

The feather falloff mode for the mask.

107

After Effects scripting reference MaskPropertyGroup object

107

MaskPropertyGroup locked attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).mask(index).locked

Description

When true, the mask is locked and cannot be edited in the user interface; otherwise, false.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

MaskPropertyGroup maskFeatherFalloff attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).mask(index).maskFeatherFalloff

Description

The feather falloff mode for the mask. Equivalent to the Layer > Mask > Feather Falloff setting.

Type

A MaskFeatherFalloff enumerated value; read/write. One of:

MaskFeatherFalloff.FFO_LINEAR

MaskFeatherFalloff.FFO_SMOOTH

MaskPropertyGroup maskMode attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).mask(index).maskMode

Description

The masking mode for this mask.

Type

A MaskMode enumerated value; read/write. One of:

MaskMode.NONE

MaskMode.ADD

MaskMode.SUBTRACT

MaskMode.INTERSECT

MaskMode.LIGHTEN

MaskMode.DARKEN

MaskMode.DIFFERENCE

MaskPropertyGroup maskMotionBlur attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).mask(index).maskMotionBlur

Description

How motion blur is applied to this mask.

108

After Effects scripting reference MaskPropertyGroup object

108

Type

A MakMotionBlur enumerated value; read/write. One of:

MaskMotionBlur.SAME_AS_LAYER

MaskMotionBlur.ON

MaskMotionBlur.OFF

MaskPropertyGroup rotoBezier attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).mask(index).rotoBezier

Description

When true, the mask is a RotoBezier shape; otherwise, false.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

109

After Effects scripting reference OMCollection object

109

OMCollection object

app.project.renderQueue.items.outputModules

Description

The OMCollection contains all of the output modules in a render queue. The collection provides access to the

OutputModule objects, but does not provide any additional functionality. The first OutputModule object in

the collection is at index position 1. See “OutputModule object” on page 110

•OMCollection is a subclass of Collection. All methods and attributes of Collection are available when

working with OMCollection. See “Collection object” on page 51.

110

After Effects scripting reference OutputModule object

110

OutputModule object

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index)

Description

An OutputModule object of a RenderQueueItem generates a single file or sequence via a render operation,

and contains attributes and methods relating to the file to be rendered.

Attributes

Methods

OutputModule applyTemplate() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index).applyTemplate(templateName)

Description

Applies the specified existing output-module template.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Attribute Reference Description

file “OutputModule file attribute” on

page 111

The path and name of the file to be rendered.

postRenderAction “OutputModule postRenderAction attri-

bute” on page 111

An action to be taken after rendering.

name “OutputModule name attribute” on

page 111

The user-interface name of the output module.

templates “OutputModule templates attribute” on

page 112

All templates for the output module.

includeSourceXMP “OutputModule includeSourceXMP

attribute” on page 111

When true, writes all source footage XMP metadata to

the output file.

Method Reference Description

remove() “OutputModule remove() method” on

page 112

Removes this output module from the render-queue item’s list.

saveAsTemplate() “OutputModule saveAsTemplate()

method” on page 112

Saves a new output-module template.

applyTemplate() “OutputModule applyTemplate()

method” on page 110

Applies an output-module template.

templateName A string containing the name of the template to be applied.

111

After Effects scripting reference OutputModule object

111

OutputModule file attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index).file

Description

The ExtendScript File object for the file this output module is set to render.

Type

ExtendScript File object; read/write.

OutputModule includeSourceXMP attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index).includeSourceXMP

Description

When true, writes all source footage XMP metadata to the output file. Corresponds to the Include Source

XMP Metadata option in the Output Module Settings dialog box.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

OutputModule name attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index).name

Description

The name of the output module, as shown in the user interface.

Type

String; read-only.

OutputModule postRenderAction attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index).postRenderAction

Description

An action to be performed when the render operation is completed.

Type

A PostRenderAction enumerated value (read/write); one of:

postRenderAction.NONE

postRenderAction.IMPORT

postRenderAction.IMPORT_AND_REPLACE_USAGE

postRenderAction.SET_PROXY

112

After Effects scripting reference OutputModule object

112

OutputModule remove() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index).remove()

Description

Removes this OutputModule object from the collection.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

OutputModule saveAsTemplate() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index).saveAsTemplate(name)

Description

Saves this output module as a template and adds it to the templates array.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

OutputModule templates attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index).templates

Description

The names of all output-module templates available in the local installation of After Effects.

Type

Array of strings; read-only.

name A string containing the name of the new template.

113

After Effects scripting reference PlaceholderSource object

113

PlaceholderSource object

app.project.item(index).mainSource

app.project.item(index).proxySource

Description

The PlaceholderSource object describes the footage source of a placeholder.

PlaceholderSource is a subclass of FootageSource. All methods and attributes of FootageSource are available

when working with PlaceholderSource. See “FootageSource object” on page 69. PlaceholderSource does not

define any additional methods or attributes.

114

After Effects scripting reference Project object

114

Project object

app.project

Description

The project object represents an After Effects project. Attributes provide access to specific objects within the

project, such as imported files or footage and compositions, and also to project settings such as the timecode

base. Methods can import footage, create solids, compositions and folders, and save changes.

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

file “Project file attribute” on page 117 The file for the currently open project.

rootFolder “Project rootFolder attribute” on

page 121

The folder containing all the contents of the

project; the equivalent of the Project panel

items “Project items attribute” on page 119 All items in the project.

activeItem “Project activeItem attribute” on

page 115

The currently active item.

bitsPerChannel “Project bitsPerChannel attribute” on

page 116

The color depth of the current project.

transparencyGridThumbnails “Project transparencyGridThumbnails

attribute” on page 123

When true, thumbnail views use the transpar-

ency checkerboard pattern.

numItems “Project numItems attribute” on

page 120

The total number of items contained in the

project.

selection “Project selection attribute” on

page 122

All items selected in the Project panel.

renderQueue “Project renderQueue attribute” on

page 121

The project’s render queue.

timeDisplayType “Project timeDisplayType attribute” on

page 122

The time display style, corresponding to the Time

Display Style section in the Project Settings

dialog box.

footageTimecodeDisplay-

StartType

“Project footageTimecodeDisplayStart-

Type attribute” on page 117

The Footage Start Time setting in the Project

Settings dialog box, which is enabled when

Timecode is selected as the time display style.

framesUseFeetFrames “Project framesUseFeetFrames attri-

bute” on page 118

The Use Feet + Frames setting in the Project

Settings dialog box.

feetFramesFilmType “Project feetFramesFilmType attribute”

on page 117

The Use Feet + Frames menu setting in the

Project Settings dialog box.

framesCountType “Project framesCountType attribute” on

page 118

The Frame Count menu setting in the Project

Settings dialog box.

displayStartFrame “Project displayStartFrame attribute” on

page 117

The frame at which to start numbering when

displaying the project.

linearBlending “Project linearBlending attribute” on

page 120

When true, linear blending is used for the project.

xmpPacket “Project xmpPacket attribute” on

page 123

The project’s XMP metadata.

115

After Effects scripting reference Project object

115

Methods

Project activeItem attribute

app.project.activeItem

Description

The item that is currently active and is to be acted upon, or a null if no item is currently selected or if multiple

items are selected.

Type

Item object or null; read-only.

Project autoFixExpressions() method

app.project.autoFixExpressions(oldText, newText)

Description

Automatically replaces text found in broken expressions in the project, if the new text causes the expression

to evaluate without errors.

Parameters

Method Reference Description

item() “Project item() method” on page 119 Retrieves an item from the project.

consolidateFootage() “Project consolidateFootage() method”

on page 116

Consolidates all footage in the project.

removeUnusedFootage() “Project removeUnusedFootage()

method” on page 121

Removes unused footage from the project.

reduceProject() “Project reduceProject() method” on

page 120

Reduces the project to a specified set of items.

close() “Project close() method” on page 116 Closes the project with normal save options.

save() “Project save() method” on page 121 Saves the project.

saveWithDialog() “Project saveWithDialog() method” on

page 122

Displays a Save dialog box.

importPlaceholder() “Project importFileWithDialog()

method” on page 119

Imports a placeholder into the project.

importFile() “Project importFile() method” on

page 118

Imports a file into the project.

importFileWithDialog() “Project importFileWithDialog()

method” on page 119

Displays an Import File dialog box.

showWindow() “Project showWindow() method” on

page 122

Shows or hides the Project panel.

autoFixExpressions() “Project autoFixExpressions() method”

on page 115

Automatically replaces text in all expressions.

oldText The text to replace.

newText The new text.

116

After Effects scripting reference Project object

116

Returns

Nothing.

Project bitsPerChannel attribute

app.project.bitsPerChannel

Description

The color depth of the current project, either 8, 16, or 32 bits.

Type

Integer (8, 16, or 32 only); read/write.

Project close() method

app.project.close(closeOptions)

Description

Closes the project with the option of saving changes automatically, prompting the user to save changes or

closing without saving changes.

Parameters

Returns

Boolean. True on success. False if the file has not been previously saved, the user is prompted, and the user

cancels the save.

Project consolidateFootage() method

app.project.consolidateFootage()

Description

Consolidates all footage in the project. Same as the File > Consolidate All Footage command.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Integer; the total number of footage items removed.

closeOptions Action to be performed on close. A CloseOptions enumerated value, one of:

CloseOptions.DO_NOT_SAVE_CHANGES: Close without saving.

CloseOptions.PROMPT_TO_SAVE_CHANGES: Prompt for whether to save changes before

close.

CloseOptions.SAVE_CHANGES: Save automatically on close.

117

After Effects scripting reference Project object

117

Project displayStartFrame attribute

app.project.displayStartFrame

Description

An alternate way of setting the Frame Count menu setting in the Project Settings dialog box to 0 or 1, and is

equivalent to using the FramesCountType.FC_START_0 or FramesCountType.FC_START_1 enumerated

values for the framesCountType attribute. For more information, see “Project framesCountType attribute” on

page 118.

Type

Integer (0 or 1); read/write.

Project feetFramesFilmType attribute

app.project.feetFramesFilmType

Description

The Use Feet + Frames menu setting in the Project Settings dialog box.

Use this attribute instead of the old timecodeFilmType attribute.

Type

A FeetFramesFilmType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

FeetFramesFilmType.MM16

FeetFramesFilmType.MM35

Project file attribute

app.project.file

Description

The ExtendScript File object for the file containing the project that is currently open.

Type

File object or null if project has not been saved; read-only.

Project footageTimecodeDisplayStartType attribute

app.project.footageTimecodeDisplayStartType

Description

The Footage Start Time setting in the Project Settings dialog box, which is enabled when Timecode is selected

as the time display style.

Type

A FootageTimecodeDisplayStartType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

FootageTimecodeDisplayStartType.FTCS_START_0

FootageTimecodeDisplayStartType.FTCS_USE_SOURCE_MEDIA

118

After Effects scripting reference Project object

118

Project framesCountType attribute

app.project.framesCountType

Description

The Frame Count menu setting in the Project Settings dialog box.

Type

A FramesCountType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

FramesCountType.FC_START_1

FramesCountType.FC_START_0

FramesCountType.FC_TIMECODE_CONVERSION

NOTE: Setting this attribute to FramesCountType.FC_TIMECODE_CONVERSION resets the displayStart-

Frame attribute to 0.

Project framesUseFeetFrames attribute

app.project.framesUseFeetFrames

Description

The Use Feet + Frames setting in the Project Settings dialog box. True if using Feet + Frames; false if using

Frames.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Project importFile() method

app.project.importFile(importOptions)

Description

Imports the file specified in the specified ImportOptions object, using the specified options. Same as the

File > Import File command. Creates and returns a new FootageItem object from the file, and adds it to the

project’s items array.

Parameters

Returns

FootageItem object.

Example

app.project.importFile(new ImportOptions(File(“sample.psd”))

importOptions An ImportOptions object specifying the file to import and the options for the operation. See

“ImportOptions object” on page 75.

119

After Effects scripting reference Project object

119

Project importFileWithDialog() method

app.project.importFileWithDialog()

Description

Shows an Import File dialog box. Same as the File > Import > File command.

Returns

Array of Item objects created during import; or null if the user cancels the dialog box.

Project importPlaceholder() method

app.project.importPlaceholder(name, width, height, frameRate, duration)

Description

Creates and returns a new PlaceholderItem object and adds it to the project’s items array. Same as the

File > Import > Placeholder command.

Parameters

Returns

PlaceholderItem object.

Project item() method

app.project.item(index)

Description

Retrieves an item at a specified index position.

Parameters

Returns

Item object.

Project items attribute

app.project.items

Description

All of the items in the project.

name A string containing the name of the placeholder.

width The width of the placeholder in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

height The height of the placeholder in pixels, an integer in the range [4..30000].

frameRate The frame rate of the placeholder, a floating-point value in the range [1.0..99.0]

duration The duration of the placeholder in seconds, a floating-point value in the range [0.0..10800.0].

index The index position of the item, an integer. The first item is at index 1.

120

After Effects scripting reference Project object

120

Type

ItemCollection object; read-only.

Project linearBlending attribute

app.project.linearBlending

Description

True if linear blending should be used for this project; otherwise false.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Project numItems attribute

app.project.numItems

Description

The total number of items contained in the project, including folders and all types of footage.

Type

Integer; read-only.

Example

n = app.project.numItems;

alert("There are " + n + " items in this project.")

Project reduceProject() method

app.project.reduceProject(array_of_items)

Description

Removes all items from the project except those specified. Same as the File > Reduce Project command.

Parameters

Returns

Integer; the total number of items removed.

Example

var theItems = new Array();

theItems[theItems.length] = app.project.item(1);

theItems[theItems.length] = app.project.item(3);

app.project.reduceProject(theItems);

array_of_items An array containing the Item objects that are to be kept.

121

After Effects scripting reference Project object

121

Project removeUnusedFootage() method

app.project.removeUnusedFootage()

Description

Removes unused footage from the project. Same as the File > Remove Unused Footage command.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Integer; the total number of FootageItem objects removed.

Project renderQueue attribute

app.project.renderQueue

Description

The render queue of the project.

Type

RenderQueue object; read-only.

Project rootFolder attribute

app.project.rootFolder

Description

The root folder containing the contents of the project; this is a virtual folder that contains all items in the

Project panel, but not items contained inside other folders in the Project panel.

Type

FolderItem object; read-only.

Project save() method

app.project.save()

app.project.save(file)

Description

Saves the project. The same as the File > Save or File > Save As command. If the project has never previously

been saved and no file is specified, prompts the user for a location and file name. Pass a File object to save a

project to a new file without prompting.

Parameters

Returns

None.

file Optional. An ExtendScript File object for the file to save.

122

After Effects scripting reference Project object

122

Project saveWithDialog() method

app.project.saveWithDialog()

Description

Shows the Save dialog box. The user can name a file with a location and save the project, or click Cancel to exit

the dialog box.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Boolean; true if the project was saved.

Project selection attribute

app.project.selection

Description

All items selected in the Project panel, in the sort order shown in the Project panel.

Type

Array of Item objects; read-only.

Project showWindow() method

app.project.showWindow(doShow)

Description

Shows or hides the Project panel.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Project timeDisplayType attribute

app.project.timeDisplayType

Description

The time display style, corresponding to the Time Display Style section in the Project Settings dialog box.

Type

A TimeDisplayType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

TimeDisplayType.FRAMES

TimeDisplayType.TIMECODE

doShow When true, show the Project panel. When false, hide the Project panel.

123

After Effects scripting reference Project object

123

Project transparencyGridThumbnails attribute

app.project.transparencyGridThumbnails

Description

When true, thumbnail views use the transparency checkerboard pattern.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Project xmpPacket attribute

app.project.xmpPacket

Description

The project’s XMP metadata, stored as RDF (XML-based). For more information on XMP, see the JavaScript

Tools Guide.

Type

String; read/write.

Example

The following example code accesses the XMP metadata of the current project, and modifies the Label project

metadata field.

var proj = app.project;

// load the XMP library as an ExtendScript ExternalObject

if (ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript == undefined) {

ExternalObject.AdobeXMPScript = new

ExternalObject('lib:AdobeXMPScript');

}

var mdata = new XMPMeta(app.project.xmpPacket); // get the project’s XMP metadata

// update the Label project metadata’s value

var schemaNS = XMPMeta.getNamespaceURI("xmp");

var propName = "xmp:Label";

try {

mdata.setProperty(schemaNS, propName, "final version...no, really!");

}

catch(e) {

alert(e);

}

app.project.xmpPacket = mdata.serialize();

124

After Effects scripting reference Property object

124

Property object

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec

Description

The Property object contains value, keyframe, and expression information about a particular AE property of

a layer. An AE property is an value, often animatable, of an effect, mask, or transform within an individual

layer. For examples of how to access properties, see “PropertyBase object” on page 148 and “PropertyGroup

property() method” on page 157.

•Property is a subclass of PropertyBase. All methods and attributes of PropertyBase, in addition to those

listed below, are available when working with Property. See “PropertyBase object” on page 148.

NOTE: JavaScript objects commonly referred to as “properties” are called “attributes” in this guide, to avoid

confusion with the After Effects definition of property.

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

propertyValueType “Property propertyValueType attribute”

on page 138

Type of value stored in this property.

value “Property value attribute” on page 146 Current value of the property.

hasMin “Property hasMin attribute” on

page 130

When true, there is a minimum permitted value.

hasMax “Property hasMax attribute” on

page 130

When true, there is a maximum permitted value.

minValue “Property minValue attribute” on

page 137

The minimum permitted value.

maxValue “Property maxValue attribute” on

page 137

The maximum permitted value.

isSpatial “Property isSpatial attribute” on

page 132

When true, the property defines a spatial value.

canVaryOverTime “Property canVaryOverTime attribute”

on page 129

When true, the property can be keyframed.

isTimeVarying “Property isTimeVarying attribute” on

page 132

When true, the property has keyframes or an

expression enabled that can vary its values.

numKeys “Property numKeys attribute” on

page 138

The number of keyframes on this property.

unitsText “Property unitsText attribute” on

page 146

A text description of the units in which the value is

expressed.

expression “Property expression attribute” on

page 129

The expression string for this property.

canSetExpression “Property canSetExpression attribute”

on page 128

When true, the expression can be set by a script.

expressionEnabled “Property expressionEnabled attribute”

on page 129

When true, the expression is used to generate val-

ues for the property.

expressionError “Property expressionError attribute” on

page 130

The error, if any, that occurred when the last expres-

sion was evaluated.

125

After Effects scripting reference Property object

125

Methods

selectedKeys “Property selectedKeys attribute” on

page 140

All selected keyframes of the property.

propertyIndex “Property propertyIndex attribute” on

page 138

The position index of this property.

dimensionsSeparated “Property dimensionsSeparated attri-

bute” on page 129

When true, the property’s dimensions are repre-

sented as separate properties.

isSeparationFollower “Property isSeparationFollower attri-

bute” on page 131

When true, the property represents one of the

separated dimensions for a multidimensional

property.

isSeparationLeader “Property isSeparationLeader attribute”

on page 131

When true, the property is multidimensional and

can be separated.

separationDimension “Property separationDimension attri-

bute” on page 140

For a separated follower, the dimension it repre-

sents in the multidimensional leader.

separationLeader “Property separationLeader attribute”

on page 140

The original multidimensional property for this

separated follower.

Method Reference Description

valueAtTime() “Property valueAtTime() method” on

page 146

Gets the value of the property evalu-

ated at given time.

setValue() “Property setValue() method” on page 144 Sets the static value of the property.

setValueAtTime() “Property setValueAtTime() method” on

page 145

Creates a keyframe for the property.

setValuesAtTimes() “Property setValuesAtTimes() method” on

page 145

Creates a set of keyframes for the prop-

erty.

setValueAtKey() “Property setValueAtKey() method” on

page 145

Finds a keyframe and sets the value of

the property at that keyframe.

nearestKeyIndex() “Property nearestKeyIndex() method” on

page 138

Gets the keyframe nearest to a specified

time.

keyTime() “Property keyTime() method” on page 136 Gets the time at which a condition

occurs.

keyValue() “Property keyValue() method” on page 137 Gets the value of a keyframe at the time

at which a condition occurs.

addKey() “Property addKey() method” on page 128 Adds a new keyframe to the property at

a given time.

removeKey() “Property removeKey() method” on

page 139

Removes a keyframe from the property.

isInterpolationTypeValid() “Property isInterpolationTypeValid()

method” on page 131

When true, this property can be inter-

polated.

setInterpolationTypeAtKey() “Property setInterpolationTypeAtKey()

method” on page 140

Sets the interpolation type for a key.

keyInInterpolationType() “Property keyInInterpolationType() method”

on page 132

Gets the 'in' interpolation type for a key.

keyOutInterpolationType() “Property keyOutInterpolationType()

method” on page 133

Gets the 'out' interpolation type for a

key.

Attribute Reference Description

126

After Effects scripting reference Property object

126

Example: Get and set the value of opacity

var myProperty = myLayer.opacity;

//opacity has propertyValueType of OneD, and is stored as a float

myProperty.setValue(50); // set opacity to 50%

// Variable myOpacity is a float value

var myOpacity = myProperty.value;

setSpatialTangentsAtKey() “Property setSpatialTangentsAtKey()

method” on page 142

Sets the “in” and “out” tangent vectors

for a key.

keyInSpatialTangent() “Property keyInSpatialTangent() method” on

page 132

Gets the “in” spatial tangent for a key.

keyOutSpatialTangent() “Property keyOutSpatialTangent() method”

on page 134

Gets the “out” spatial tangent for a key.

setTemporalEaseAtKey() “Property setTemporalEaseAtKey() method”

on page 144

Sets the “in” and “out” temporal ease for

a key.

keyInTemporalEase() “Property keyInTemporalEase() method” on

page 133

Gets the “in” temporal ease for a key.

keyOutTemporalEase() “Property keyOutTemporalEase() method”

on page 134

Gets the “out” temporal ease for a key.

setTemporalContinuousAtKey() “Property setTemporalContinuousAtKey()

method” on page 143

Sets whether a keyframe has temporal

continuity.

keyTemporalContinuous() “Property keyTemporalContinuous()

method” on page 136

Reports whether a keyframe has tem-

poral continuity.

setTemporalAutoBezierAtKey() “Property setTemporalAutoBezierAtKey()

method” on page 143

Sets whether a keyframe has temporal

auto-Bezier.

keyTemporalAutoBezier() “Property keyTemporalAutoBezier()

method” on page 136

Reports whether a keyframe has tem-

poral auto-Bezier.

setSpatialContinuousAtKey() “Property setSpatialContinuousAtKey()

method” on page 142

Sets whether a keyframe has spatial

continuity.

keySpatialContinuous() “Property keySpatialContinuous() method”

on page 135

Reports whether a keyframe has spatial

continuity.

setSpatialAutoBezierAtKey “Property setSpatialAutoBezierAtKey()

method” on page 142

Sets whether a keyframe has spatial

auto-Bezier.

keySpatialAutoBezier() “Property keySpatialAutoBezier() method”

on page 135

Reports whether a keyframe has spatial

auto-Bezier.

setRovingAtKey() “Property setRovingAtKey() method” on

page 141

Sets whether a keyframe is roving.

keyRoving() “Property keyRoving() method” on page 134 Reports whether a keyframe is roving.

setSelectedAtKey() “Property setSelectedAtKey() method” on

page 141

Sets whether a keyframe is selected.

keySelected() “Property keySelected() method” on

page 135

Reports whether a keyframe is selected.

getSeparationFollower() “Property getSeparationFollower() method”

on page 130

For a separated, multidimensional

property, retrieves a specific follower

property.

Method Reference Description

127

After Effects scripting reference Property object

127

Example: Get and set the value of a position

var myProperty = myLayer.position;

//position has propertyValueType of ThreeD_SPATIAL, and is stored as an array of 3 floats

myProperty.setValue([10.0, 30.0, 0.0]);

// Variable myPosition is an array of 3 floats

var myPosition = myProperty.value;

Example: Change the value of a mask shape to be open instead of closed

var myMask = mylayer.mask(1);

var myProperty = myMask.maskPath;

myShape = myProperty.value;

myShape.closed = false;

myProperty.setValue(myShape);

Example: Get the value of a color at a particular time

A color is stored as an array of four floats, [r,g,b,opacity]. This sets the value of the red component of a light's

color at time 4 to be half of that at time 2:

var myProperty = myLight.color;

var colorValue = myProperty.valueAtTime(2,true);

colorValue[0] = 0.5 * colorValue[0];

myProperty.setValueAtTime(4,colorValue);

Example: Check that a scale calculated by an expression at time 3.5 is the expected value of [10,50]

var myProperty = myLayer.scale;

// false value of preExpression means evaluate the expression

var scaleValue = myProperty.valueAtTime(3.5,false);

if (scaleValue[0] == 10 && scaleValue[1] == 50) {

alert("hurray");

}

else {

alert("oops");

}

Example: Keyframe a rotation from 0 to 90 and back again

The animation is 10 seconds, and the middle keyframe is at the 5 second mark. Rotation properties are stored

as a OneD value.

myProperty = myLayer.rotation;

myProperty.setValueAtTime(0, 0);

myProperty.setValueAtTime(5, 90);

myProperty.setValueAtTime(10, 0);

Example: Change the keyframe values for the first three keyframes of some source text

myProperty = myTextLayer.sourceText;

if (myProperty.numKeys < 3) {

alert("error, I thought there were 3 keyframes");

}

else {

128

After Effects scripting reference Property object

128

myProperty.setValueAtKey(1, new TextDocument("key number 1"));

myProperty.setValueAtKey(2, new TextDocument("key number 2"));

myProperty.setValueAtKey(3, new TextDocument("key number 3"));

}

Example: Set values using the convenience syntax for position, scale, color, or source text

// These two are equivalent. The second fills in a default of 0.

myLayer.position.setValue([20, 30, 0]);

myLayer.position.setValue([20, 30]);

// These two are equivalent. The second fills in a default of 100.

myLayer.scale.setValue([50, 50, 100]);

myLayer.scale.setValue([50, 50]);

// These two are equivalent. The second fills in a default of 1.0

myLight.color.setValue([.8, .3, .1, 1.0]);

myLight.color.setValue([.8, .3, .1]);

// These two are equivalent. The second creates a TextDocument

myTextLayer.sourceText.setValue(new TextDocument("foo"));

myTextLayer.sourceText.setValue("foo");

Property addKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.addKey(time)

Description

Adds a new keyframe or marker to the named property at the specified time and returns the index of the new

keyframe.

Parameters

Returns

Integer; the index of the new keyframe or marker.

Property canSetExpression attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.canSetExpression

Description

When true, the named property is of a type whose expression can be set by a script. See also “Property

expression attribute” on page 129.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

time The time, in seconds, at which to add the keyframe. A floating-point value. The beginning of the composition is 0.

129

After Effects scripting reference Property object

129

Property canVaryOverTime attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.canVaryOverTime

Description

When true, the named property can vary over time—that is, keyframe values or expressions can be written to

this property.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Property dimensionsSeparated attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.dimensionsSeparated

Description

When true, the property’s dimensions are represented as separate properties. For example, if the layer’s

position is represented as X Position and Y Position properties in the Timeline panel, the Position property

has this attribute set to true.

NOTE: This attribute applies only when the isSeparationLeader attribute is true.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Property expression attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.expression

Description

The expression for the named property. Writeable only when canSetExpression for the named property is

true. When you specify a value for this attribute, the string is evaluated.

•If the string contains a valid expression, expressionEnabled becomes true.

•If the string does not contain a valid expression, an error is generated, and expressionEnabled becomes

false.

•If you set the attribute to the empty string, expressionEnabled becomes false, but no error is generated.

Type

String; read/write if canSetExpression for the named property is true.

Property expressionEnabled attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.expressionEnabled

Description

When true, the named property uses its associated expression to generate a value. When false, the keyframe

information or static value of the property is used. This attribute can be set to true only if canSetExpression

for the named property is true and expression contains a valid expression string.

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Type

Boolean; read/write.

Property expressionError attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.expressionError

Description

Contains the error, if any, generated by evaluation of the string most recently set in expression. If no

expression string has been specified, or if the last expression string evaluated without error, contains the empty

string ("").

Type

String; read-only.

Property getSeparationFollower() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.getSeparationFollower(dim)

Description

For a separated, multidimensional property, retrieves a specific follower property. For example, you can use

this method on the Position property to access the separated X Position and Y Position properties.

NOTE: This attribute applies only when the isSeparationLeader attribute is true.

Parameters

Returns

Property object, or an error if the property is not multidimensional or does not have the specified dimension.

Property hasMax attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.hasMax

Description

When true, there is a maximum permitted value for the named property; otherwise false.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Property hasMin attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.hasMin

Description

When true, there is a minimum permitted value for the named property; otherwise false.

dim The dimension number (starting at 0).

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Type

Boolean; read-only.

Property isInterpolationTypeValid() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.isInterpolationTypeValid(type)

Description

Returns true if the named property can be interpolated using the specified keyframe interpolation type.

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Property isSeparationFollower attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.isSeparationFollower

Description

When true, the property represents one of the separated dimensions for a multidimensional property. For

example, the X Position property has this attribute set to true.

NOTE: The original, consolidated, multidimensional property is the “separation leader” and the new, separated,

single-dimensional properties are its “separation followers”.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Property isSeparationLeader attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.isSeparationLeader

Description

When true, the property is multidimensional and can be separated. For example, the Position property has

this attribute set to true.

NOTE: The original, consolidated, multidimensional property is the “separation leader” and the new, separated,

single-dimensional properties are its “separation followers”.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

type A KeyframeInterpolationType enumerated value; one of:

KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER

KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD

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Property isSpatial attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.isSpatial

Description

When true, the named property defines a spatial value. Examples are position and effect point controls.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Property isTimeVarying attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.isTimeVarying

Description

When true, the named property is time varying—that is, it has keyframes or an enabled expression. When this

attribute is true, the attribute canVaryOverTime must also be true.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Property keyInInterpolationType() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyInInterpolationType(keyIndex)

Description

Returns the 'in' interpolation type for the specified keyframe.

Parameters

Returns

A KeyframeInterpolationType enumerated value; one of:

KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER

KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD

Property keyInSpatialTangent() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyInSpatialTangent(keyIndex)

Description

Returns the incoming spatial tangent for the specified keyframe, if the named property is spatial (that is, the

value type is TwoD_SPATIAL or ThreeD_SPATIAL).

Parameters

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearestKey-

Index method.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearestKey-

Index method.

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Returns

Array of floating-point values:

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD_SPATIAL, the array contains 2 floating-point

values.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL, the array contains 3 floating-point

values.

•If the property value type is neither of these types, an exception is generated.

Property keyInTemporalEase() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyInTemporalEase(keyIndex)

Description

Returns the incoming temporal ease for the specified keyframe.

Parameters

Returns

Array of KeyframeEase objects:

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD, the array contains 2 objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD, the array contains 3 objects.

•For any other value type, the array contains 1 object.

Property keyOutInterpolationType() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyOutInterpolationType(keyIndex)

Description

Returns the outgoing interpolation type for the specified keyframe.

Parameters

Returns

A KeyframeInterpolationType enumerated value; one of:

KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER

KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

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Property keyOutSpatialTangent() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyOutSpatialTangent(keyIndex)

Description

Returns the outgoing spatial tangent for the specified keyframe.

Parameters

Returns

Array of floating-point values:

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD_SPATIAL, the array contains 2 floating-point

values.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL, the array contains 3 floating-point

values.

•If the property value type is neither of these types, an exception is generated.

Property keyOutTemporalEase() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyOutTemporalEase(keyIndex)

Description

Returns the outgoing temporal ease for the specified keyframe.

Parameters

Returns

Array of KeyframeEase objects:

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD, the array contains 2 objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD, the array contains 3 objects.

•For any other value type, the array contains 1 object.

Property keyRoving() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyRoving(keyIndex)

Description

Returns true if the specified keyframe is roving. The first and last keyframe in a property cannot rove; if you

try to set roving for one of these, the operation is ignored, and keyRoving() continues to return false.

If the property value type is neither TwoD_SPATIAL nor ThreeD_SPATIAL, an exception is generated.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

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Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Property keySelected() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keySelected(keyIndex)

Description

Returns true if the specified keyframe is selected.

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Property keySpatialAutoBezier() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keySpatialAutoBezier(keyIndex)

Description

Returns true if the specified keyframe has spatial auto-Bezier interpolation. (This type of interpolation affects

this keyframe only if keySpatialContinuous(keyIndex) is also true.)

If the property value type is neither TwoD_SPATIAL nor ThreeD_SPATIAL, an exception is generated.

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Property keySpatialContinuous() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keySpatialContinuous(keyIndex)

Description

Returns true if the specified keyframe has spatial continuity.

If the property value type is neither TwoD_SPATIAL nor ThreeD_SPATIAL, an exception is generated.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

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Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Property keyTemporalAutoBezier() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyTemporalAutoBezier(keyIndex)

Description

Returns true if the specified keyframe has temporal auto-Bezier interpolation.

Temporal auto-Bezier interpolation affects this keyframe only if the keyframe interpolation type is Keyfra-

meInterpolationType.BEZIER for both keyInInterpolationType(keyIndex) and keyOutInterpola-

tionType(keyIndex).

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Property keyTemporalContinuous() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyTemporalContinuous(keyIndex)

Description

Returns true if the specified keyframe has temporal continuity.

Temporal continuity affects this keyframe only if keyframe interpolation type is KeyframeInterpola-

tionType.BEZIER for both keyInInterpolationType(keyIndex) and keyOutInterpolationType(keyIndex).

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Property keyTime() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyTime(keyIndex)

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyTime(markerComment)

Description

Finds the specified keyframe or marker and returns the time at which it occurs.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

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If no keyframe or marker can be found that matches the argument, this method generates an exception, and

an error is displayed.

Parameters

Returns

Floating-point value.

Property keyValue() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyValue(keyIndex)

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyValue(markerComment)

Description

Finds the specified keyframe or marker and returns its current value.

If no keyframe or marker can be found that matches the argument, this method generates an exception, and

an error is displayed.

Parameters

Returns

Floating-point value for keyframes, MarkerValue object for markers.

Property maxValue attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.maxValue

Description

The maximum permitted value of the named property. If the hasMax attribute is false, an exception occurs,

and an error is generated.

Type

Floating-point value; read-only.

Property minValue attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.minValue

Description

The minimum permitted value of the named property. If the hasMin attribute is false, an exception occurs,

and an error is generated.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or near-

estKeyIndex method.

markerComment The comment string attached to a marker (see “MarkerValue comment attribute” on page 103).

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or near-

estKeyIndex method.

markerComment The comment string attached to a marker (see “MarkerValue comment attribute” on page 103).

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Type

Floating-point value; read-only.

Property nearestKeyIndex() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.nearestKeyIndex(time)

Description

Returns the index of the keyframe nearest to the specified time.

Parameters

Returns

Integer.

Property numKeys attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.numKeys

Description

The number of keyframes in the named property. If the value is 0, the property is not being keyframed.

Type

Integer; read-only.

Property propertyIndex attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.propertyIndex

Description

The position index of the named property. The first property is at index position 1.

Type

Integer; read-only.

Property propertyValueType attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.propertyValueType

Description

The type of value stored in the named property. The PropertyValueType enumeration has one value for each

type of data that can be stored in or retrieved from a property. Each type of data is stored and retrieved in a

different kind of structure. All property objects store data according to one of these categories.

For example, a 3D spatial property (such as a layer's position) is stored as an array of three floating point

values. When setting a value for position, pass in such an array, as follows:

mylayer.property("position").setValue([10,20,0]);

time The time in seconds; a floating-point value. The beginning of the composition is 0.

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In contrast, a shape property (such as a layer's mask shape) is stored as a Shape object. When setting a value

for a shape, pass a Shape object, as follows:

var myShape = new Shape();

myShape.vertices = [[0,0],[0,100],[100,100],[100,0]];

var myMask = mylayer.property("ADBE Mask Parade").property(1);

myMask.property("ADBE Mask Shape").setValue(myShape);

Type

A PropertyValueType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

Property removeKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.removeKey(keyIndex)

Description

Removes the specified keyframe from the named property. If no keyframe with the specified index exists,

generates an exception and displays an error.

When a keyframe is removed, the remaining index numbers change. To remove more than one keyframe, you

must start with the highest index number and work down to the lowest to ensure that the remaining indices

reference the same keyframe after each removal.

Parameters

PropertyValueType.NO_VALUE Stores no data.

PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL Array of three floating-point positional values. For example, an Anchor

Point value might be [10.0, 20.2, 0.0]

PropertyValueType.ThreeD Array of three floating-point quantitative values. For example, a Scale

value might be [100.0, 20.2, 0.0]

PropertyValueType.TwoD_SPATIAL Array of 2 floating-point positional values For example, an Anchor Point

value might be [5.1, 10.0]

PropertyValueType.TwoD Array of 2 floating-point quantitative values. For example, a Scale value

might be [5.1, 100.0]

PropertyValueType.OneD A floating-point value.

PropertyValueType.COLOR Array of 4 floating-point values in the range [0.0..1.0]. For example, [0.8,

0.3, 0.1, 1.0]

PropertyValueType.CUSTOM_VALUE Custom property value, such as the Histogram property for the Levels

effect.

PropertyValueType.MARKER MarkerValue object; see “MarkerValue object” on page 102.

PropertyValueType.LAYER_INDEX Integer; a value of 0 means no layer.

PropertyValueType.MASK_INDEX Integer; a value of 0 means no mask.

PropertyValueType.SHAPE Shape object; see “Shape object” on page 172.

PropertyValueType.TEXT_DOCUMENT TextDocument object; see “TextDocument object” on page 182.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

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Returns

Nothing.

Property selectedKeys attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.selectedKeys

Description

The indices of all the selected keyframes in the named property. If no keyframes are selected, or if the property

has no keyframes, returns an empty array.

Type

Array of integers; read-only.

Property separationDimension attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.separationDimension

Description

For a separated follower, the dimension number it represents in the multidimensional leader. The first

dimension starts at 0. For example, the Y Position property has a separationDimension value of 1; X Position

has a value of 0.

Type

Integer; read-only.

Property separationLeader attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.separationLeader

Description

The original multidimensional property for this separated follower. For example, if the current property is

Y Position, this attribute’s value points to the Position property.

NOTE: The original, consolidated, multidimensional property is the “separation leader” and the new, separated,

single-dimensional properties are its “separation followers”.

Type

Property object; read-only.

Property setInterpolationTypeAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setInterpolationTypeAtKey(keyIndex, inType,

outType)

Description

Sets the ‘in’ and ‘out’ interpolation types for the specified keyframe.

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Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setRovingAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setRovingAtKey(keyIndex, newVal)

Description

Turns roving on or off for the specified keyframe. The first and last keyframe in a property cannot rove; if you

try to set roving for one of these, the operation is ignored, and keyRoving() continues to return false.

If the property value type is neither TwoD_SPATIAL nor ThreeD_SPATIAL, an exception is generated.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setSelectedAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setSelectedAtKey(keyIndex, onOff)

Description

Selects or deselects the specified keyframe.

Parameters

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey

or nearestKeyIndex method.

inType The incoming interpolation type. A KeyframeInterpolationType enumerated value; one

of:

KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER

KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD

outType (Optional) The outgoing interpolation type. If not supplied, the ‘out’ type is set to the inType

value. A KeyframeInterpolationType enumerated value; one of:

KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER

KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearestKey-

Index method.

newVal True to turn roving on, false to turn roving off.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

onOff True to select the keyframe, false to deselect it.

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Returns

Nothing.

Property setSpatialAutoBezierAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setSpatialAutoBezierAtKey(keyIndex, newVal)

Description

Turns spatial auto-Bezier interpolation on or off for the specified keyframe.

If the property value type is neither TwoD_SPATIAL nor ThreeD_SPATIAL, an exception is generated.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setSpatialContinuousAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setSpatialContinuousAtKey(keyIndex, newVal)

Description

Turns spatial continuity on or off for the specified keyframe.

If the property value type is neither TwoD_SPATIAL nor ThreeD_SPATIAL, an exception is generated.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setSpatialTangentsAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setSpatialTangentsAtKey(keyIndex, inTangent,

outTangent)

Description

Sets the incoming and outgoing tangent vectors for the specified keyframe.

If the property value type is neither TwoD_SPATIAL nor ThreeD_SPATIAL, an exception is generated.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

newVal True to turn spatial auto-Bezier on, false to turn it off.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

newVal True to turn spatial continuity on, false to turn it off.

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Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setTemporalAutoBezierAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setTemporalAutoBezierAtKey(keyIndex, newVal)

Description

Turns temporal auto-Bezier interpolation on or off for the specified keyframe. When this is turned on, it

affects this keyframe only if keySpatialContinuous(keyIndex) is also true.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setTemporalContinuousAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setTemporalContinuousAtKey(keyIndex, newVal)

Description

Turns temporal continuity on or off for the specified keyframe.

When temporal continuity is turned on, it affects this keyframe only if the keyframe interpolation type is

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER for both keyInInterpolationType(keyIndex) and keyOutInterpola-

tionType(keyIndex).

Parameters

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

inTangent The incoming tangent vector. An array of 2 or 3 floating-point values.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD_SPATIAL, the array contains 2 values.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL, the array contains 3 values.

outTangent (Optional) The outgoing tangent vector. If not supplied, the ‘out’ tangent is set to the inTangent value. An

array of 2 or 3 floating-point values.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD_SPATIAL, the array contains 2 values.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL, the array contains 3 values.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

newVal True to turn temporal auto-Bezier on, false to turn it off.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

newVal True to turn temporal continuity on, false to turn it off.

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Returns

Nothing.

Property setTemporalEaseAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setTemporalEaseAtKey(keyIndex, inTemporalEase,

outTemporalEase)

Description

Sets the incoming and outgoing temporal ease for the specified keyframe. See “KeyframeEase object” on

page 84.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setValue() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setValue(newValue)

Description

Sets the static value of a property that has no keyframes.

If the named property has keyframes, this method generates an exception and displays an error. To set the

value of a property with keyframes, use “Property setValueAtTime() method” on page 145 or “Property setVal-

ueAtKey() method” on page 145.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or near-

estKeyIndex method.

inTemporalEase The incoming temporal ease. An array of 1, 2, or 3 KeyframeEase objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD, the array contains 2 objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD, the array contains 3 objects.

•For all other value types, the array contains 1 object.

outTemporalEase (Optional) The outgoing temporal ease. If not supplied, the outgoing ease is set to the inTempora-

lEase value. An array of 1, 2, or 3 KeyframeEase objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD, the array contains 2 objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD, the array contains 3 objects.

•For all other value types, the array contains 1 object.

newValue A value appropriate for the type of property being set; see “Property propertyValueType attribute” on page 138.

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Property setValueAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setValueAtKey(keyIndex, newValue)

Description

Finds the specified keyframe and sets its value.

If the named property has no keyframes, or no keyframe with the specified index, this method generates an

exception and displays an error.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setValueAtTime() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setValueAtTime(time, newValue)

Description

Sets the value of a keyframe at the specified time. Creates a new keyframe for the named property, if one does

not currently exist for the specified time, and sets its value.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

Property setValuesAtTimes() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setValuesAtTimes(times, newValues)

Description

Sets values for a set of keyframes at specified of times. Creates a new keyframe for the named property, if one

does not currently exist for a specified time, and sets its value.

Times and values are expressed as arrays; the arrays must be of the same length.

Parameters

keyIndex The index for the keyframe. An integer in the range [1..numKeys], as returned by the addKey or nearest-

KeyIndex method.

newValue A value appropriate for the type of property being set; see “Property propertyValueType attribute” on

page 138.

time The time in seconds, a floating-point value. The beginning of the composition is 0.

newValue A value appropriate for the type of property being set; see “Property propertyValueType attri-

bute” on page 138.

times An array of times, in seconds. Each time is a floating-point value. The beginning of the compo-

sition is 0.

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Returns

Nothing.

Property unitsText attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.unitsText

Description

The text description of the units in which the value is expressed.

Type

String; read-only.

Property value attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.value

Description

The value of the named property at the current time.

•If expressionEnabled is true, returns the evaluated expression value.

•If there are keyframes, returns the keyframed value at the current time.

•Otherwise, returns the static value.

The type of value returned depends on the property value type. See examples for “Property object” on

page 124.

Type

A value appropriate for the type of the property (see “Property propertyValueType attribute” on page 138);

read-only.

Property valueAtTime() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.valueAtTime(time, preExpression)

Description

The value of the named property as evaluated at the specified time.

Note that the type of value returned is not made explicit; it will be of a different type, depending on the

property evaluated.

Parameters

newValues A array of values appropriate for the type of property being set; see “Property propertyValu-

eType attribute” on page 138.

time The time in seconds; a floating-point value. The beginning of the composition is 0.

preExpression If the property has an expression and this is true, return the value for the specified time without

applying the expression to it. When false, return the result of evaluating the expression for the

specified time.

Ignored if the property does not have an associated expression.

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Returns

A value appropriate for the type of the property (see “Property propertyValueType attribute” on page 138).

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PropertyBase object

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec

Description

Properties are accessed by name through layers, using various kinds of expression syntax, as controlled by

application preferences. For example, the following are all ways of access properties in the Effects group:

var effect1 = app.project.item(1).layer(1).effect("Add Grain")("Viewing Mode");

var effect1again = app.project.item(1).layer(1).effect.addGrain.viewingMode;

var effect1againtoo = app.project.item(1).layer(1)("Effects").addGrain.viewingMode;

var effect1againtoo2 = app.project.item(1).layer(1)("Effects")("Add Grain")("Viewing Mode");

See also “PropertyGroup property() method” on page 157.

•PropertyBase is the base class for both Property and PropertyGroup, so PropertyBase attributes and

methods are available when working with properties and property groups. See “Property object” on

page 124 and “PropertyGroup object” on page 155.

Reference invalidation

When something occurs that changes an object sufficiently for the reference to become invalid, script refer-

ences to that object can generate errors. In simple cases this is straightforward. For example, if you delete an

object, a reference to the deleted object generates the warning "Object is Invalid":

var layer1 = app.project.item(1).layer(1);

layer1.remove();

alert(layer1.name); // invalid reference to deleted object

Similarly, if you reference an AE property in a deleted object, the warning occurs:

var layer1 = app.project.item(1).layer(1);

var layer1position = layer1.transform.position;

layer1.remove();

alert(layer1position.value); // invalid reference to property in selected object

A less straightforward case is when a property is removed from a property group. In this case, After Effects

generates the "Object is Invalid" error when you subsequently reference that item or other items in the group,

because their index positions have changed. For example:

var effect1 = app.project.item(1).layer(1).effect(1);

var effect2 = app.project.item(1).layer(1).effect(2);

var effect2param = app.project.item(1).layer(1).effect(2).blendWithOriginal;

effect1.remove();

alert(effect2.name); // invalid reference because group index positions have changed

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

name “PropertyBase name attribute” on

page 152

Name of the property.

matchName “PropertyBase matchName attribute”

on page 152

A special name for the property used to build unique naming paths.

149

After Effects scripting reference PropertyBase object

149

Methods

PropertyBase active attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.active

Description

When true, this property is active. For a layer, this corresponds to the setting of the eyeball icon and if the

current time is between the layer’s in and out points. For an effect and all properties, it is the same as the

enabled attribute, except that it’s read-only.

propertyIndex “PropertyBase propertyIndex attribute”

on page 153

Index of this property within its parent group.

propertyDepth “PropertyBase propertyDepth attribute”

on page 153

The number of levels of parent groups between this property and

the containing layer.

propertyType “PropertyBase propertyType attribute”

on page 154

The property type.

parentProperty “PropertyBase parentProperty attri-

bute” on page 153

The immediate parent group of this property.

isModified “PropertyBase isModified attribute” on

page 151

When true, the property has been changed since its creation.

canSetEnabled “PropertyBase canSetEnabled attribute”

on page 150

When true, the user interface displays an eyeball icon for this prop-

erty.

enabled “PropertyBase enabled attribute” on

page 151

When true, this property is enabled.

active “PropertyBase active attribute” on

page 149

When true, this property is active.

elided “PropertyBase elided attribute” on

page 150

When true, this property is not displayed in the user interface.

isEffect “PropertyBase isEffect attribute” on

page 151

When true, this property is an effect.

isMask “PropertyBase isMask attribute” on

page 151

When true, this property is a mask.

selected “PropertyBase selected attribute” on

page 154

When true, this property is selected.

Method Reference Description

propertyGroup() “PropertyBase propertyGroup()

method” on page 153

Gets the parent group for this property.

remove() “PropertyBase remove() method” on

page 154

Removes this from the project.

moveTo() “PropertyBase moveTo() method” on

page 152

Moves this property to a new position in its parent group.

duplicate() “PropertyBase duplicate() method” on

page 150

Duplicates this property object.

Attribute Reference Description

150

After Effects scripting reference PropertyBase object

150

Type

Boolean; read-only.

PropertyBase canSetEnabled attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.canSetEnabled

Description

When true, you can set the enabled attribute value. Generally, this is true if the user interface displays an

eyeball icon for this property; it is true for all layers.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

PropertyBase duplicate() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.duplicate()

Description

If this property is a child of an indexed group, creates and returns a new PropertyBase object with the same

attribute values as this one.

If this property is not a child of an indexed group, the method generates an exception and displays an error.

An indexed group has the type PropertyType.INDEXED_GROUP; see “PropertyBase propertyType attribute”

on page 154.

Parameters

None.

Returns

PropertyBase object.

PropertyBase elided attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.elided

Description

When true, this property is a group used to organize other properties. The property is not displayed in the user

interface and its child properties are not indented in the Timeline panel.

For example, for a text layer with two animators and no properties twirled down, you might see:

Text

Path Options

More Options

Animator 1

Animator 2

In this example, “Animator 1” and “Animator 2” are contained in a PropertyBase called “Text Animators.” This

parent group is not displayed in the user interface, and so the two child properties are not indented in the

Timeline panel.

151

After Effects scripting reference PropertyBase object

151

Type

Boolean; read-only.

PropertyBase enabled attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.enabled

Description

When true, this property is enabled. It corresponds to the setting of the eyeball icon, if there is one; otherwise,

the default is true.

Type

Boolean; read/write if canSetEnabled is true, read-only if canSetEnabled is false.

PropertyBase isEffect attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.isEffect

Description

When true, this property is an effect PropertyGroup.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

PropertyBase isMask attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.isMask

Description

When true, this property is a mask PropertyGroup.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

PropertyBase isModified attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.isModified

Description

When true, this property has been changed since its creation.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

152

After Effects scripting reference PropertyBase object

152

PropertyBase matchName attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.matchName

Description

A special name for the property used to build unique naming paths. The match name is not displayed, but you

can refer to it in scripts. Every property has a unique match-name identifier. Match names are stable from

version to version regardless of the display name (the name attribute value) or any changes to the application.

Unlike the display name, it is not localized.

An indexed group may not have a name value, but always has a matchName value. (An indexed group has the

type PropertyType.INDEXED_GROUP; see “PropertyBase propertyType attribute” on page 154.)

Type

String; read-only.

PropertyBase moveTo() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.moveTo(newIndex)

Description

Moves this property to a new position in its parent property group.

This method is valid only for children of indexed groups; if it is not, or if the index value is not valid, the

method generates an exception and displays an error. (An indexed group has the type Proper-

tyType.INDEXED_GROUP; see “PropertyBase propertyType attribute” on page 154.)

NOTE: Using this method invalidates existing references to other children in the same indexed group. For

example, if you have three effects on a layer, each effect assigned to a different variable, moving one of the effects

invalidates the references for all of these variables. You will need to reassign them.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

PropertyBase name attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.name

Description

The display name of the property. (Compare “PropertyBase matchName attribute” on page 152.)

It is an error to set the name value if the property is not a child of an indexed group (that is, a property group

that has the type PropertyType.INDEXED_GROUP; see “PropertyBase propertyType attribute” on page 154).

Type

String; read/write for a child of an indexed group; otherwise read-only.

newIndex The new index position at which to place this property in its group. An integer.

153

After Effects scripting reference PropertyBase object

153

PropertyBase parentProperty attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.parentProperty

Description

The property group that is the immediate parent of this property, or null if this PropertyBase is a layer.

Type

PropertyGroup object or null; read-only.

PropertyBase propertyDepth attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.propertyDepth

Description

The number of levels of parent groups between this property and the containing layer. The value 0 for a layer.

Type

Integer; read-only.

PropertyBase propertyGroup() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.propertyGroup()

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.propertyGroup(countUp)

Description

Gets the PropertyGroup object for an ancestor group of this property at a specified level of the parent-child

hierarchy.

Parameters

Returns

PropertyGroup object, or null if the count reaches the containing layer.

PropertyBase propertyIndex attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.propertyIndex

Description

The position index of this property within its parent group, if it is a child of an indexed group (a property

group that has the type PropertyType.INDEXED_GROUP; see “PropertyBase propertyType attribute” on

page 154).

Type

Integer; read-only.

countUp Optional. The number of levels to ascend within the parent-child hierarchy. An integer in the

range [1..propertyDepth]. Default is 1, which gets the immediate parent.

154

After Effects scripting reference PropertyBase object

154

PropertyBase propertyType attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.propertyType

Description

The type of this property.

Type

A PropertyType enumerated value; read/write. One of:

PropertyBase remove() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.remove()

Description

Removes this property from its parent group. If this is a property group, it removes the child properties as well.

This method is valid only for children of indexed groups; if it is not, or if the index value is not valid, the

method generates an exception and displays an error. (An indexed group has the type Proper-

tyType.INDEXED_GROUP; see “PropertyBase propertyType attribute” on page 154.)

This method can be called on a text animation property (that is, any animator that has been set to a text layer).

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

PropertyBase selected attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.selected

Description

When true, this property is selected. Set to true to select the property, or to false to deselect it.

Sampling this attribute repeatedly for a large number of properties can slow down system performance. To

read the full set of selected properties of a composition or layer, use the selectedProperties attribute of a Comp

or Layer object.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

PropertyType.PROPERTY A single property such as position or zoom.

PropertyType.INDEXED_GROUP A property group whose members have an editable name and an index. Effects

and masks are indexed groups. For example, the masks property of a layer

refers to a variable number of individual masks by index number.

PropertyType.NAMED_GROUP A property group in which the member names are not editable. Layers are

named groups.

155

After Effects scripting reference PropertyGroup object

155

PropertyGroup object

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertyGroupSpec

Description

The PropertyGroup object represents a group of properties. It can contain Property objects and other

PropertyGroup objects. Property groups can be nested to provide a parent-child hierarchy, with a Layer object

at the top (root) down to a single Property object, such as the mask feather of the third mask. To traverse the

group hierarchy, use PropertyBase methods and attributes; see “PropertyBase propertyGroup() method” on

page 153.

For examples of how to access properties and property groups, see “PropertyBase object” on page 148.

•PropertyGroup is a subclass of PropertyBase. All methods and attributes of PropertyBase, in addition to

those listed below, are available when working with PropertyGroup. See “PropertyBase object” on page 148.

•PropertyGroup is a base class for MaskPropertyGroup. PropertyGroup attributes and methods are available

when working with mask groups. See “MaskPropertyGroup object” on page 106.

Attributes

Methods

PropertyGroup addProperty() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertyGroupSpec.addProperty(name)

Description

Creates and returns a PropertyBase object with the specified name, and adds it to this group.

In general, you can only add properties to an indexed group (a property group that has the type

PropertyType.INDEXED_GROUP; see “PropertyBase propertyType attribute” on page 154) The only

exception is a text animator property, which can be added to a named group (a property group that has the

type PropertyType.NAMED_GROUP).

If this method cannot create a property with the specified name, it generates an exception. To check that you

can add a particular property to this group, call canAddProperty before calling this method. (See “Property-

Group canAddProperty() method” on page 156.)

Attribute Reference Description

numProperties “PropertyGroup numProperties attribute” on page 156 The number of indexed properties in the group.

Method Reference Description

property() “PropertyGroup property() method” on

page 157

Gets a member property or group.

canAddProperty() “PropertyGroup canAddProperty() method”

on page 156

Reports whether a property can be added to the group.

addProperty() “PropertyGroup addProperty() method” on

page 155

Adds a property to the group.

156

After Effects scripting reference PropertyGroup object

156

Parameters

Returns

PropertyBase object.

PropertyGroup canAddProperty() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertyGroupSpec.canAddProperty(name)

Description

Returns true if a property with the given name can be added to this property group. For example, you can only

add mask to a mask group. The only legal input arguments are “mask” or “ADBE Mask Atom”.

maskGroup.canAddProperty("mask"); //returns true

maskGroup.canAddProperty("ADBE Mask Atom"); //returns true

maskGroup.canAddProperty("blend"); // returns false

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

PropertyGroup numProperties attribute

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertyGroupSpec.numProperties

Description

The number of indexed properties in this group.

For layers, this method returns a value of 3, corresponding to the mask, effect, and motion tracker groups,

which are the indexed groups within the layer. However, layers also have many other properties available only

by name; see the “PropertyGroup property() method” on page 157.

Type

Integer; read-only.

name The display name or match name of the property to add. (See “PropertyBase matchName attribute” on page 152).

The following names are supported:

•Any match name for a property that can be added through the user interface. For example, “ADBE Mask Atom”,

“ADBE Paint Atom”, “ADBE Text Position”, “ADBE Text Anchor Point”.

•When adding to an ADBE Mask Parade: “ADBE Mask Atom”, “Mask”.

•When adding to an ADBE Effect Parade, any effect by match name, such as “ADBE Bulge”, “ADBE Glo2”, “APC Vegas”.

•Any effect by display name, such as “Bulge”, “Glow”, “Vegas”.

•For text animators, “ADBE Text Animator”.

•For selectors, Range Selector has the name “ADBE Text Selector”, Wiggly Selector has the name “ADBE Text Wiggly

Selector”, and Expression Selector has the name “ADBE Text Expressible Selector”.

name The display name or match name of the property to be checked. (See “PropertyGroup addProp-

erty() method” on page 155).

157

After Effects scripting reference PropertyGroup object

157

PropertyGroup property() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertyGroupSpec.property(index)

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertyGroupSpec.property(name)

Description

Finds and returns a child property of this group, as specified by either its index or name.

A name specification can use the same syntax that is available with expressions. The following are all allowed

and are equivalent:

mylayer.position

mylayer("position")

mylayer.property("position")

mylayer(1)

mylayer.property(1)

Some properties of a layer, such as position and zoom, can be accessed only by name.

When using the name to find a property that is multiple levels down, you must make more than one call to

this method. For example, the following call searches two levels down, and returns the first mask in the mask

group:

myLayer.property("ADBE Masks").property(1)

Parameters

Returns

PropertyBase object or null if no child property with the specified string name is found.

Properties accessible by name

index The index for the child property, in this is an indexed group. An integer in the range [0..numProper-

ties].

name The name of the child property. This can be:

•Any match name

•Any name in expression “parenthesis style” syntax, meaning the display name or the compact English

name

•Any name in expression “intercap style” syntax

For supported property names, see the table below.

From any Layer • "ADBE Mask Parade", or “Masks”

• "ADBE Effect Parade", or “Effects”

• "ADBE MTrackers", or “Motion Trackers”

158

After Effects scripting reference PropertyGroup object

158

From an AVLayer • "Anchor Point" or "anchorPoint"

• "Position" or "position"

• "Scale" or "scale"

• "Rotation" or "rotation"

• "Z Rotation" or "zRotation" or "Rotation Z" or "rotationZ"

• "Opacity" or "opacity"

• "Marker" or "marker"

From an AVLayer with a non-still source • "Time Remap" or "timeRemapEnabled"

From an AVLayer with an audio component • "Audio Levels" or "audioLevels"

From a camera layer • "Zoom" or "zoom"

• "Depth of Field" or "depthOfField"

• "Focus Distance" or "focusDistance"

• "Aperture" or "aperture"

• "Blur Level" or "blurLevel"

From a light layer • "Intensity" or "intensity"

• "Color" or "color"

• "Cone Angle" or "coneAngle"

• "Cone Feather" or "coneFeather"

• "Shadow Darkness" or "shadowDarkness"

• "Shadow Diffusion" or "shadowDiffusion"

• "Casts Shadows" or "castsShadows"

From a 3D layer • "Accepts Shadows" or "acceptsShadows"

• "Accepts Lights" or "acceptsLights"

• "Ambient" or "ambient"

• "Diffuse" or "diffuse"

• "Specular" or "specular" (these are for the Specular Intensity property)

• "Shininess" or "shininess" (these are for the Specular Shininess property)

• "Casts Shadows" or "castsShadows"

• "Light Transmission" or "lightTransmission"

• "Metal" or "metal"

From a camera, light or 3D layer • "X Rotation" or "xRotation" or "Rotation X" or "rotationX"

• "Y Rotation" or "yRotation" or "Rotation Y" or "rotationY"

• "Orientation" or "orientation"

From a text layer • "Source Text" or "sourceText" or "Text" or "text"

From a PropertyGroup "ADBE Mask Parade" • "ADBE Mask Atom"

From a PropertyGroup "ADBE Mask Atom" • "ADBE Mask Shape", or “maskShape”, or “maskPath”

• "ADBE Mask Feather", or “maskFeather”

• "ADBE Mask Opacity", or “maskOpacity”

• "ADBE Mask Offset", or “maskOffset”

159

After Effects scripting reference PropertyGroup object

159

Examples

1If a layer named “myLayer” has a Box Blur effect, you can retrieve the effect in any of the following ways:

myLayer.property(“Effects”).property(“Box Blur”);

myLayer.property(“Effects”).property(“boxBlur”);

myLayer.property(“Effects”).property(“ADBE Box Blur”);

2If a layer named “myLayer” has a mask named “Mask 1” you can retrieve it as follows:

myLayer.property(“Masks”).property(“Mask 1”);

3To get a Bulge Center value from a Bulge effect, you can use either of the following:

myLayer.property(“Effects”).property(“Bulge”).property(“Bulge Center”);

myLayer.property(“Effects”).property(“Bulge”).property(“bulgeCenter”);

160

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueue object

160

RenderQueue object

app.project.renderQueue

Description

The RenderQueue object represents the render automation process, the data and functionality that is available

through the Render Queue panel of a particular After Effects project. Attributes provide access to items in the

render queue and their render status. Methods can start, pause, and stop the rendering process.

The RenderQueueItem object provides access to the specific settings for an item to be rendered. See “Render-

QueueItem object” on page 163.

Attributes

Methods

RenderQueue item() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index)

Description

Gets a specified item from the items collection.

Parameters

Returns

RenderQueueItem object.

Attribute Reference Description

rendering “RenderQueue rendering attribute” on page 162 When true, a render is in progress.

numItems “RenderQueue numItems attribute” on page 161 The total number of items in the render queue.

items “RenderQueue items attribute” on page 161 The collection of items in the render queue.

Method Reference Description

showWindow() “RenderQueue showWindow() method”

on page 162

Show or hides the Render Queue panel.

render() “RenderQueue render() method” on

page 161

Starts the rendering process; does not return until render is

complete.

pauseRendering() “RenderQueue pauseRendering()

method” on page 161

Pauses or restarts the rendering process.

stopRendering() “RenderQueue stopRendering()

method” on page 162

Stops the rendering process.

item() “RenderQueue item() method” on

page 160

Gets a render-queue item from the collection.

index The position index of the item. An integer in the range [0..numItems].

161

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueue object

161

RenderQueue items attribute

app.project.renderQueue.items

Description

A collection of all items in the render queue. See “RenderQueueItem object” on page 163.

Type

RQItemCollection object; read-only.

RenderQueue numItems attribute

app.project.renderQueue.numItems

Description

The total number of items in the render queue.

Type

Integer; read-only.

RenderQueue pauseRendering() method

app.project.renderQueue.pauseRendering(pause)

Description

Pauses the current rendering process, or continues a paused rendering process. This is the same as clicking

Pause in the Render Queue panel during a render. You can call this method from an onStatusChanged or

onError callback. See “RenderQueueItem onStatusChanged attribute” on page 165 and “Application onError

attribute” on page 24.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

RenderQueue render() method

app.project.renderQueue.render()

Description

Starts the rendering process. This is the same as clicking Render in the Render Queue panel. The method does

not return until the render process is complete. To pause or stop the rendering process, call pauseRendering()

or stopRendering() from an onError or onStatusChanged callback.

•To respond to errors during the rendering process, define a callback function in app.onError; see “Appli-

cation onError attribute” on page 24.

•To respond to changes in the status of a particular item while the render is progressing, define a callback

function in RenderQueueItem.onStatusChanged in the associated RenderQueueItem object; see “Render-

QueueItem onStatusChanged attribute” on page 165.

pause True to pause a current render process, false to continue a paused render.

162

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueue object

162

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

RenderQueue rendering attribute

app.project.renderQueue.rendering

Description

When true, the rendering process is in progress or paused. When false, it is stopped.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

RenderQueue showWindow() method

app.project.renderQueue.showWindow(doShow)

Description

Shows or hides the Render Queue panel.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

RenderQueue stopRendering() method

app.project.renderQueue.stopRendering()

Description

Stops the rendering process. This is the same as clicking Stop in the Render Queue panel during a render. You

can call this method from an onStatusChanged or onError callback. See “RenderQueueItem onStatus-

Changed attribute” on page 165 and “Application onError attribute” on page 24.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

doShow When true, show the Render Queue panel. When false, hide it.

163

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueueItem object

163

RenderQueueItem object

app.project.renderQueue.item(index)

Description

The RenderQueueItem object represents an individual item in the render queue. It provides access to the

specific settings for an item to be rendered. Create the object by adding a composition to the Render Queue

with the RQItemCollection object; see “RQItemCollection add() method” on page 169.

Attributes

Methods

Attribute Reference Description

numOutputModules “RenderQueueItem numOutputModules

attribute” on page 165

The total number of Output Modules assigned to the

item.

render “RenderQueueItem render attribute” on

page 166

When true, this item is rendered when the queue is

started.

startTime “RenderQueueItem startTime attribute” on

page 167

The time when rendering began for the item.

elapsedSeconds “RenderQueueItem elapsedSeconds attri-

bute” on page 164

The time elapsed in the current rendering of this item.

timeSpanStart “RenderQueueItem timeSpanStart attri-

bute” on page 168

The start time in the composition to be rendered.

timeSpanDuration “RenderQueueItem timeSpanDuration

attribute” on page 168

The duration of the composition to be rendered.

skipFrames “RenderQueueItem skipFrames attribute”

on page 167

The number of frames to skip when rendering this item.

comp “RenderQueueItem comp attribute” on

page 164

The composition to be rendered by this item.

outputModules “RenderQueueItem outputModules attri-

bute” on page 166

The collection of Output Modules for this item.

templates “RenderQueueItem templates attribute” on

page 168

A set of Render Settings templates.

status “RenderQueueItem status attribute” on

page 167

The current rendering status of the item.

onStatusChanged “RenderQueueItem onStatusChanged attri-

bute” on page 165

A callback function that is called during the rendering

process when the status of the item changes.

logType “RenderQueueItem logType attribute” on

page 165

A log type for this item.

Method Reference Description

outputModule() “RenderQueueItem outputModule() method” on

page 166

Gets an Output Module for the item.

remove() “RenderQueueItem remove() method” on page 166 Removes the item from the render queue.

saveAsTemplate() “RenderQueueItem saveAsTemplate() method” on

page 167

Saves a new Render Settings template.

164

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueueItem object

164

RenderQueueItem applyTemplate() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).applyTemplate(templateName)

Description

Applies a Render Settings template to the item. See also “RenderQueueItem saveAsTemplate() method” on

page 167 and “RenderQueueItem templates attribute” on page 168.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

RenderQueueItem comp attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).comp

Description

The composition that will be rendered by this render-queue item. To change the composition, you must delete

this render-queue item and create a new one.

Type

CompItem object; read-only.

RenderQueueItem duplicate() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).duplicate()

Description

Creates a duplicate of this item and adds it this render queue.

NOTE: Duplicating an item whose status is “Done” sets the new item’s status to “Queued”.

Parameters

None.

Returns

RenderQueueItem object.

RenderQueueItem elapsedSeconds attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).elapsedSeconds

applyTemplate() “RenderQueueItem applyTemplate() method” on

page 164

Applies a Render Settings template.

duplicate “RenderQueueItem duplicate() method” on page 164 Duplicates this item.

templateName A string containing the name of the template to apply.

Method Reference Description

165

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueueItem object

165

Description

The number of seconds spent rendering this item.

Type

Integer, or null if item has not been rendered; read-only.

RenderQueueItem logType attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).logType

Description

A log type for this item, indicating which events should be logged while this item is being rendered.

Type

A LogType enumerated value; (read/write). One of:

LogType.ERRORS_ONLY

LogType.ERRORS_AND_SETTINGS

LogType.ERRORS_AND_PER_FRAME_INFO

RenderQueueItem numOutputModules attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).numOutputModules

Description

The total number of Output Modules assigned to this item.

Type

Integer; read-only.

RenderQueueItem onStatusChanged attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).onStatusChanged

Description

The name of a callback function that is called whenever the value of the RenderQueueItem.status attribute

changes. See “RenderQueueItem status attribute” on page 167.

You cannot make changes to render queue items or to the application while rendering is in progress or paused;

you can, however, use this callback to pause or stop the rendering process. See “RenderQueue pauseRen-

dering() method” on page 161 and “RenderQueue stopRendering() method” on page 162.

See also “Application onError attribute” on page 24.

Type

A function name string, or null if no function is assigned.

Example

function myStatusChanged() {

alert(app.project.renderQueue.item(1).status)

}

166

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueueItem object

166

app.project.renderQueue.item(1).onStatusChanged = myStatusChanged();

app.project.renderQueue.item(1).render = false; //changes status and shows dialog

RenderQueueItem outputModules attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModules

Description

The collection of Output Modules for the item.

Type

OMCollection object; read-only.

RenderQueueItem outputModule() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModule(index)

Description

Gets an output module with the specified index position.

Parameters

Returns

OutputModule object.

RenderQueueItem remove() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).remove()

Description

Removes this item from the render queue.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

RenderQueueItem render attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).render

Description

When true, the item will be rendered when the render queue is started. When set to true, the Render-

QueueItem.status is set to RQItemStatus.QUEUED. When set to false, status is set to RQItem-

Status.UNQUEUED.

index The position index of the output module. An integer in the range [1..numOutputModules].

167

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueueItem object

167

Type

Boolean; read/write.

RenderQueueItem saveAsTemplate() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).saveAsTemplate(name)

Description

Saves the item’s current render settings as a new template with the specified name.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

RenderQueueItem skipFrames attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).skipFrames

Description

The number of frames to skip when rendering this item. Use this to do rendering tests that are faster than a

full render.

A value of 0 skip no frames, and results in regular rendering of all frames. A value of 1 skips every other frame.

This is equivalent to "rendering on twos." Higher values skip a larger number of frames.

The total length of time remains unchanged. For example, if skip has a value of 1, a sequence output would

have half the number of frames and in movie output, each frame would be double the duration.

Type

Integer in the range [0..99]. Read/write.

RenderQueueItem startTime attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).startTime

Description

The day and time that this item started rendering.

Type

Date object, or null if the item has not started rendering; read-only.

RenderQueueItem status attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).status

Description

The current render status of the item.

name A string containing the name of the new template.

168

After Effects scripting reference RenderQueueItem object

168

Type

An RQItemStatus enumerated value; read-only. One of:

RenderQueueItem templates attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).templates

Description

The names of all Render Settings templates available for the item. See also “RenderQueueItem saveAsTem-

plate() method” on page 167.

Type

Array of strings; read-only.

RenderQueueItem timeSpanDuration attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).timeSpanDuration

Description

The duration in seconds of the composition to be rendered. The duration is determined by subtracting the

start time from the end time. Setting this value is the same as setting a custom end time in the Render Settings

dialog box.

Type

Floating-point value; read/write.

RenderQueueItem timeSpanStart attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).timeSpanStart

Description

The time in the composition, in seconds, at which rendering will begin. Setting this value is the same as setting

a custom start time in the Render Settings dialog box.

Type

Floating-point value; read/write.

RQItemStatus.WILL_CONTINUE Rendering process has been paused.

RQItemStatus.NEEDS_OUTPUT Item lacks a valid output path.

RQItemStatus.UNQUEUED Item is listed in the Render Queue panel but composition is not ready to render.

RQItemStatus.QUEUED Composition is ready to render.

RQItemStatus.RENDERING Composition is rendering

RQItemStatus.USER_STOPPED Rendering process was stopped by user or script.

RQItemStatus.ERR_STOPPED Rendering process was stopped due to an error.

RQItemStatus.DONE Rendering process for the item is complete.

169

After Effects scripting reference RQItemCollection object

169

RQItemCollection object

app.project.renderQueue.items

Description

The RQItemCollection contains all of the render-queue items in a project, as shown in the Render Queue

panel of the project. The collection provides access to the RenderQueueItem objects, and allows you to create

them from compositions. The first RenderQueueItem object in the collection is at index position 1. See

“RenderQueueItem object” on page 163

•RQItemCollection is a subclass of Collection. All methods and attributes of Collection are available when

working with RQItemCollection. See “Collection object” on page 51.

Methods

RQItemCollection add() method

app.project.renderQueue.items.add(comp)

Description

Adds a composition to the Render Queue, creating a RenderQueueItem.

Parameters

Returns

RenderQueueItem object.

Method Reference Description

add() “RQItemCollection add() method” on page 169 Adds a composition to the Render Queue.

comp The CompItem object for the composition to be added.

170

After Effects scripting reference Settings object

170

Settings object

Description

The Settings object provides an easy way to manage settings for scripts. The settings are saved in the After

Effects preferences file and are persistent between application sessions. Settings are identified by section and

key within the file, and each key name is associated with a value. In the preferences file, section names are

enclosed in brackets and quotation marks, and key names are listing in quotation marks below the section

name. All values are strings.

You can create new settings with this object, as well as accessing existing settings.

Methods

Settings getSetting() method

app.settings.getSetting(sectionName, keyName)

Description

Retrieves a scripting preferences item value from the preferences file.

Parameters

Returns

String.

Example

If you have saved a setting named with the key name “Aligned Clone” in the “Eraser - Paint Settings” section,

you can retrieve the value with this script:

var n = app.settings.getSetting("Eraser - Paint Settings", "Aligned Clone");

alert("The setting is " + n);

Settings haveSetting() method

app.settings.haveSetting(sectionName, keyName)

Description

Returns true if the specified scripting preferences item exists and has a value.

Method Reference Description

saveSetting() “Settings saveSetting() method” on page 171 Saves a default value for a setting.

getSetting() “Settings getSetting() method” on page 170 Retrieves a setting value.

haveSetting() “Settings haveSetting() method” on page 170 Reports whether a specified setting is assigned.

sectionName A string containing the name of a settings section

keyName A string containing the key name of the setting item.

171

After Effects scripting reference Settings object

171

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

Settings saveSetting() method

app.settings.saveSetting(sectionName, keyName, value)

Description

Saves a default value for a scripting preferences item.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

sectionName A string containing the name of a settings section

keyName A string containing the key name of the setting item.

sectionName A string containing the name of a settings section

keyName A string containing the key name of the setting item.

value A string containing the new value.

172

After Effects scripting reference Shape object

172

Shape object

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property(index).property("maskShape").value

Description

The Shape object encapsulates information describing a shape in a shape layer, or the outline shape of a Mask.

It is the value of the “Mask Path” AE properties, and of the "Path" AE property of a shape layer. Use the

constructor, new Shape(), to create a new, empty Shape object, then set the attributes individually to define

the shape.

A shape has a set of anchor points, or vertices, and a pair of direction handles, or tangent vectors, for each

anchor point. A tangent vector (in a non-RotoBezier mask) determines the direction of the line that is drawn

to or from an anchor point. There is one incoming tangent vector and one outgoing tangent vector associated

with each vertex in the shape.

A tangent value is a pair of x,y coordinates specified relative to the associated vertex. For example, a tangent

of [-1,-1] is located above and to the left of the vertex and has a 45 degree slope, regardless of the actual location

of the vertex. The longer a handle is, the greater its influence; for example, an incoming shape segment stays

closer to the vector for an inTangent of [-2,-2] than it does for an inTangent of

[-1,-1], even though both of these come toward the vertex from the same direction.

If a shape is not closed, the inTangent for the first vertex and the outTangent for the final vertex are ignored.

If the shape is closed, these two vectors specify the direction handles of the final connecting segment out of

the final vertex and back into the first vertex.

RotoBezier masks calculate their tangents automatically. (See “MaskPropertyGroup rotoBezier attribute” on

page 108.) If a shape is used in a RotoBezier mask, the tangent values are ignored. This means that, for

RotoBezier masks, you can construct a shape by setting only the vertices attribute and setting both inTangents

and outTangents to null. When you access the new shape, its tangent values are filled with the automatically

calculated tangent values.

For closed mask shapes, variable-width mask feather points can exist anywhere along the mask path. Feather

points are part of the Mask Path property. Reference a specific feather point by the number of the mask path

segment (portion of the path between adjacent vertices) where it appears.

NOTE: The feather points on a mask are listed in an array in the order that they were created.

Example: Create a square mask

A square is a closed shape with 4 vertices. The inTangents and outTangents for connected straight-line

segments are 0, the default, and do not need to be explicitly set.

var myShape = new Shape();

myShape.vertices = [[0,0], [0,100], [100,100], [100,0]];

myShape.closed = true;

Example: Create a “U” shaped mask

A "U" is an open shape with the same 4 vertices used in the square:

var myShape = new Shape();

myShape.vertices = [[0,0], [0,100], [100,100], [100,0]];

myShape.closed = false;

173

After Effects scripting reference Shape object

173

Example: Create an oval

An oval is a closed shape with 4 vertices and with inTangent and outTangent values:

var myShape = new Shape();

myShape.vertices = [[300,50],[200,150],[300,250],[400,150]];

myShape.inTangents = [[55.23,0],[0,-55.23],[-55.23,0],[0,55.23]];

myShape.outTangents = [[-55.23,0],[0,55.23],[55.23,0],[0,-55.23]];

myShape.closed = true;

Example: Create a square mask with two feather points

A large square mask with two feather points, one closer to the left end the second mask segment (off the

bottom edge) with a radius of 30 pixels and the other one centered the third mask segment (off the right edge)

with a larger radius of 100 pixels.

var myShape = new Shape();

myShape.vertices = [[100,100], [100,400], [400,400], [400,100]]; // segments drawn counterclockwise

myShape.closed = true;

myShape.featherSegLocs = [1,2]; // segments are numbered starting at 0, so second segment is 1

myShape.featherRelSegLocs = [0.15, 0.5]; // 0.15 is closer to the lower-left corner of the square

myShape.featherRadii = [30, 100]; // second feather point (on right-side segment) has a larger radius

Attributes

Shape closed attribute

shapeObject.value.closed

Attribute Reference Description

closed “Shape closed attribute” on page 173 When true, the shape is a closed curve.

vertices “Shape vertices attribute” on page 177 The anchor points of the shape.

inTangents “Shape inTangents attribute” on page 176 The tangent vectors coming into the shape vertices.

outTangents “Shape outTangents attribute” on

page 176

The tangent vectors coming out of the shape vertices.

featherSegLocs “Shape featherSegLocs attribute” on

page 175

The mask path segment (sections of a mask path

between vertices) containing each feather point.

featherRelSegLocs “Shape featherRelSegLocs attribute” on

page 175

The relative position of each feather point on its mask

path segment.

featherRadii “Shape featherRadii attribute” on

page 174

The feather amount (radius) for each feather point.

featherInterps “Shape featherInterps attribute” on

page 174

The feather radius interpolation type for each feather

point.

featherTensions “Shape featherTensions attribute” on

page 176

The feather tension at each feather point.

featherTypes “Shape featherTypes attribute” on

page 176

The direction (inner or outer) of each feather point.

featherRelCornerAngles “Shape featherRelCornerAngles attribute”

on page 174

The relative angle between the two normals on either

side of a curved outer feather boundary at a corner on

a mask path.

174

After Effects scripting reference Shape object

174

Description

When true, the first and last vertices are connected to form a closed curve. When false, the closing segment is

not drawn.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Shape featherInterps attribute

shapeObject.value.featherInterps

Description

An array containing each feather point’s radius interpolation type (0 for non-Hold feather points, 1 for Hold

feather points).

NOTE: Values are stored in the array in the order that feather points are created.

Type

Array of integers (0 or 1); read/write.

Shape featherRadii attribute

shapeObject.value.featherRadii

Description

An array containing each feather point’s radius (feather amount); inner feather points have negative values.

NOTE: Values are stored in the array in the order that feather points are created.

Type

Array of floating-point values; read/write.

Shape featherRelCornerAngles attribute

shapeObject.value.featherRelCornerAngles

Description

An array containing each feather point’s relative angle percentage between the two normals on either side of

a curved outer feather boundary at a corner on a mask path. The angle value is 0% for feather points not at

corners.

NOTE: Values are stored in the array in the order that feather points are created.

Type

Array of floating-point percentage values (0 to 100); read/write.

175

After Effects scripting reference Shape object

175

Shape featherRelSegLocs attribute

shapeObject.value.featherRelSegLocs

Description

An array containing each feather point’s relative position, from 0 to 1, on its mask path segment (section of

the mask path between vertices, numbered starting at 0).

NOTE: Values are stored in the array in the order that feather points are created.

To move a feather point to a different mask path segment, first change the featherSegLocs attribute value, then

this attribute.

Type

Array of floating-point values (0 to 1); read/write.

Shape featherSegLocs attribute

shapeObject.value.featherSegLocs

Description

An array containing each feather point’s mask path segment number (section of the mask path between

vertices, numbered starting at 0).

NOTE: Values are stored in the array in the order that feather points are created.

Move a feather point to a different segment by changing both its segment number (this attribute) and,

optionally, its featherRelSegLocs attribute value.

Type

Array of integers; read/write.

Example

// Assuming a rectangle closed mask (segments numbered 0-3) has 3 mask feather points,

// move all 3 feather points to the first mask segment.

// Get the Shape object for the mask, assumed here to be the first mask on the layer.

var my_maskShape = layer.mask(1).property("ADBE Mask Shape").value;

// Check where mask feather points are located.

// Note: They are stored in the order that they are added.

var where_are_myMaskFeatherPoints = my_maskShape.featherSegLocs;

// Move all 3 feather points to the first mask segment (numbered 0).

my_maskShape.featherSegLocs = [0, 0, 0];

// Update the mask path.

layer.mask(1).property("ADBE Mask Shape").setValue(my_maskShape);

176

After Effects scripting reference Shape object

176

Shape featherTensions attribute

shapeObject.value.featherTensions

Description

An array containing each feather point’s tension amount, from 0 (0% tension) to 1 (100% tension).

NOTE: Values are stored in the array in the order that feather points are created.

Type

Array of floating-point values (0 to 1); read/write.

Shape featherTypes attribute

shapeObject.value.featherTypes

Description

An array containing each feather point’s direction, either 0 (outer feather point) or 1 (inner feather point).

NOTE: You cannot change the direction of a feather point after it has been created.

NOTE: Values are stored in the array in the order that feather points are created.

Type

Array of integers (0 or 1); read/write.

Shape inTangents attribute

shapeObject.value.inTangents

Description

The incoming tangent vectors, or direction handles, associated with the vertices of the shape. Specify each

vector as an array of two floating-point values, and collect the vectors into an array the same length as the

vertices array.

Each tangent value defaults to [0,0]. When the mask shape is not RotoBezier, this results in a straight line

segment.

If the shape is in a RotoBezier mask, all tangent values are ignored and the tangents are automatically calcu-

lated.

Type

Array of floating-point pair arrays; read/write.

Shape outTangents attribute

shapeObject.value.outTangents

Description

The outgoing tangent vectors, or direction handles, associated with the vertices of the shape. Specify each

vector as an array of two floating-point values, and collect the vectors into an array the same length as the

vertices array.

177

After Effects scripting reference Shape object

177

Each tangent value defaults to [0,0]. When the mask shape is not RotoBezier, this results in a straight line

segment.

If the shape is in a RotoBezier mask, all tangent values are ignored and the tangents are automatically calcu-

lated.

Type

Array of floating-point pair arrays; read/write.

Shape vertices attribute

shapeObject.value.vertices

Description

The anchor points of the shape. Specify each point as an array of two floating-point values, and collect the

point pairs into an array for the complete set of points. For example:

myShape.vertices = [[0,0], [0,1], [1,1], [1,0]];

Type

Array of floating-point pair arrays; read/write.

178

After Effects scripting reference ShapeLayer object

178

ShapeLayer object

app.project.item(index).layer(index)

Description

The ShapeLayer object represents a shape layer within a composition. Create it using the LayerCollection

object’s addShape() method; see “LayerCollection addShape() method” on page 97. It can be accessed in an

item’s layer collection either by index number or by a name string.

•ShapeLayer is a subclass of AVLayer, which is a subclass of Layer. All methods and attributes of AVLayer

and Layer are available when working with ShapeLayer. See “Layer object” on page 86 and “AVLayer object”

on page 38.

179

After Effects scripting reference SolidSource object

179

SolidSource object

app.project.item(index).mainSource

app.project.item(index).proxySource

Description

The SolidSource object represents a solid-color footage source.

•SolidSource is a subclass of FootageSource. All methods and attributes of FootageSource, in addition to

those listed below, are available when working with SolidSource. See “FootageSource object” on page 69.

Attributes

SolidSource color attribute

solidSource.color

Description

The color of the solid, expressed as red, green, and blue values.

Type

Array of three floating-point values, [R, G, B], in the range [0.0..1.0]; read/write.

Attribute Reference Description

color “SolidSource color attribute” on page 179 The color of the solid.

180

After Effects scripting reference System object

180

System object

system

Description

The System object provides access to attributes found on the user’s system, such as the user name and the name

and version of the operating system. It is available through the system global variable.

Example

alert ("Your OS is " + system.osName + " running version " + system.osVersion);

confirm("You are: " + system.userName + " running on " + system.machineName + ".");

Attributes

Methods

System callSystem() method

system.callSystem (cmdLineToExecute);

Description

Executes a system command, as if you had typed it on the operating system’s command line. Returns whatever

the system outputs in response to the command, if anything.

In Windows, you can invoke commands using the /c switch for the cmd.exe command, passing the command

to run in escaped quotes (\"...\"). For example, the following retrieves the current time and displays it to the

user:

var timeStr = system.callSystem("cmd.exe /c \"time /t\"");

alert("Current time is " + timeStr);

Parameters

Returns

The output from the command.

Attribute Reference Description

userName “System userName attribute” on page 181 The current user name.

machineName “System machineName attribute” on page 181 The name of the host computer.

osName “System osName attribute” on page 181 The name of the operating system.

osVersion “System osVersion attribute” on page 181 The version of the operating system.

Method Reference Description

callSystem() “System callSystem() method” on page 180 Execute’s a command on the system’s command line.

cmdLineToExecute A string containing the command and its parameters.

181

After Effects scripting reference System object

181

System machineName attribute

system.machineName

Description

The name of the computer on which After Effects is running.

Type

String; read-only.

System osName attribute

system.osName

Description

The name of the operating system on which After Effects is running.

NOTE: As of Windows 7, this attribute returns a blank value. Use $.os instead.

Type

String; read-only.

System osVersion attribute

system.osVersion

Description

The version of the current local operating system.

Type

String; read-only.

System userName attribute

system.userName

Description

The name of the user currently logged on to the system.

Type

String; read-only.

182

After Effects scripting reference TextDocument object

182

TextDocument object

new TextDocument(docText)

app.project.item(index).layer(index).property("Source Text").value

Description

The TextDocument object stores a value for a TextLayer's Source Text property. Create it with the constructor,

passing the string to be encapsulated.

Examples

This sets a value of some source text and displays an alert showing the new value:

var myTextD ocument = new TextDo cument("Happy Cake");

myTextLayer.property("S ource Text").setValue(myTextDo cument);

alert(myTextLayer.property("Source Text").value);

This sets keyframe values for text that show different words over time:

var textProp = myTextLayer.property("Source Text");

textProp.setValueAtTime(0, new TextDocument("Happy"));

textProp.setValueAtTime(.33, new TextDocument("cake"));

textProp.setValueAtTime(.66, new TextDocument("is"));

textProp.setValueAtTime(1, new TextDocument("yummy!"));

This sets various character and paragraph settings for some text:

var textProp = myTextLayer.property("Source Text");

var textDocument = textProp.value;

myString = "Happy holidays!";

textDocument.resetCharStyle();

textDocument.fontSize = 60;

textDocument.fillColor = [1, 0, 0];

textDocument.strokeColor = [0, 1, 0];

textDocument.strokeWidth = 2;

textDocument.font = "TimesNewRomanPSMT";

textDocument.strokeOverFill = true;

textDocument.applyStroke = true;

textDocument.applyFill = true;

textDocument.text = myString;

textDocument.justification = ParagraphJustification.CENTER_JUSTIFY;

textDocument.tracking = 50;

textProp.setValue(textDocument);

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

text “TextDocument text attribute” on page 187 The text layer’s Source Text value.

font “TextDocument font attribute” on page 184 The text layer’s font specified by its PostScript

name.

fontSize “TextDocument fontSize attribute” on page 185 The text layer’s font size in pixels.

applyFill “TextDocument applyFill attribute” on page 183 When true, the text layer shows a fill.

183

After Effects scripting reference TextDocument object

183

Methods

TextDocument applyFill attribute

textDocument.applyFill

Description

When true, the text layer shows a fill. Access the fillColor attribute for the actual color. When false, only a

stroke is shown.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

TextDocument applyStroke attribute

textDocument.applyStroke

Description

When true, the text layer shows a stroke. Access the strokeColor attribute for the actual color and strokeWidth

for its thickness. When false, only a fill is shown.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

applyStroke “TextDocument applyStroke attribute” on page 183 When true, the text layer shows a stroke.

fillColor “TextDocument fillColor attribute” on page 184 The text layer’s fill color.

strokeColor “TextDocument strokeColor attribute” on page 186 The text layer’s stroke color.

strokeOverFill “TextDocument strokeOverFill attribute” on page 186 Indicates the rendering order for the fill and stroke

of a text layer.

strokeWidth “TextDocument strokeWidth attribute” on page 186 The text layer’s stroke thickness.

justification “TextDocument justification attribute” on page 185 The paragraph justification for the text layer.

tracking “TextDocument tracking attribute” on page 187 The text layer’s spacing between characters.

pointText “TextDocument pointText attribute” on page 185 When true, the text layer is point (unbounded)

text.

boxText “TextDocument boxText attribute” on page 184 When true, the text layer is paragraph (bounded)

text.

boxTextSize “TextDocument boxTextSize attribute” on page 184 For box text, the pixel dimensions for the text

bounds.

Method Reference Description

resetCharStyle() “TextDocument resetCharStyle() method” on

page 185

Restores the default character settings in the

Character panel.

resetParagraphStyle() “TextDocument resetParagraphStyle() method”

on page 186

Restores the default paragraph settings in the

Paragraph panel.

Attribute Reference Description

184

After Effects scripting reference TextDocument object

184

TextDocument boxText attribute

textDocument.boxText

Description

True if a text layer is a layer of paragraph (bounded) text; otherwise false.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

TextDocument boxTextSize attribute

textDocument.boxTextSize

Description

The size of a paragraph (box) text layer as a [width, height] array of pixel dimensions.

Type

Array of two integers (minimum value of 1); read/write.

TextDocument fillColor attribute

textDocument.fillColor

Description

The text layer’s fill color, as an array of [r, g, b] floating-point values. For example, in an 8-bpc project, a red

value of 255 would be 1.0, and in a 32-bpc project, an overbright blue value can be something like 3.2.

NOTE: If the text layer has different fill color settings for each character, this attribute returns the setting for the

first character. Also, if you change the value, it resets all characters in the text layer to the specified setting.

Type

Array [r, g, b] of floating-point values; read/write.

TextDocument font attribute

textDocument.font

Description

The text layer’s font specified by its PostScript name.

NOTE: If the text layer has different font settings for each character, this attribute returns the setting for the first

character. Also, if you change the value, it resets all characters in the text layer to the specified setting.

Type

String; read/write.

185

After Effects scripting reference TextDocument object

185

TextDocument fontSize attribute

textDocument.fontSize

Description

The text layer’s font size in pixels.

NOTE: If the text layer has different font size settings for each character, this attribute returns the setting for the

first character. Also, if you change the value, it resets all characters in the text layer to the specified setting.

Type

Floating-point value (0.1 to 1296, inclusive); read/write.

TextDocument justification attribute

textDocument.justification

Description

The paragraph justification for the text layer.

Type

A ParagraphJustification enumerated value; read-only. One of:

ParagraphJustification.LEFT_JUSTIFY

ParagraphJustification.RIGHT_JUSTIFY

ParagraphJustification.CENTER_JUSTIFY

ParagraphJustification.FULL_JUSTIFY_LASTLINE_LEFT

ParagraphJustification.FULL_JUSTIFY_LASTLINE_RIGHT

ParagraphJustification.FULL_JUSTIFY_LASTLINE_CENTER

ParagraphJustification.FULL_JUSTIFY_LASTLINE_FULL

TextDocument pointText attribute

textDocument.pointText

Description

True if a text layer is a layer of point (unbounded) text; otherwise false.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

TextDocument resetCharStyle() method

textDocument.resetCharStyle()

Description

Restores the default text character characteristics in the Character panel.

Parameters

None.

186

After Effects scripting reference TextDocument object

186

Returns

Nothing.

TextDocument resetParagraphStyle() method

textDocument.resetParagraphStyle()

Description

Restores the default text paragraph characteristics in the Paragraph panel.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

TextDocument strokeColor attribute

textDocument.strokeColor

Description

The text layer’s stroke color, as an array of [r, g, b] floating-point values. For example, in an 8-bpc project, a

red value of 255 would be 1.0, and in a 32-bpc project, an overbright blue value can be something like 3.2.

NOTE: If the text layer has different stroke color settings for each character, this attribute returns the setting for

the first character. Also, if you change the value, it resets all characters in the text layer to the specified setting.

Type

Array [r, g, b] of floating-point values; read/write.

TextDocument strokeOverFill attribute

textDocument.strokeOverFill

Description

Indicates the rendering order for the fill and stroke of a text layer. When true, the stroke appears over the fill.

NOTE: If the text layer has different fill/stroke rendering order settings for each character, this attribute returns

the setting for the first character. Also, if you change the value, it resets all characters in the text layer to the

specified setting.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

TextDocument strokeWidth attribute

textDocument.strokeWidth

Description

The text layer’s stroke thickness in pixels.

187

After Effects scripting reference TextDocument object

187

NOTE: If the text layer has different stroke width settings for each character, this attribute returns the setting for

the first character. Also, if you change the value, it resets all characters in the text layer to the specified setting.

Type

Floating-point value (0 to 1000, inclusive); read/write.

TextDocument text attribute

textDocument.text

Description

The text value for the text layer’s Source Text property.

Type

String; read/write.

TextDocument tracking attribute

textDocument.tracking

Description

The text layer’s spacing between characters.

NOTE: If the text layer has different tracking settings for each character, this attribute returns the setting for the

first character. Also, if you change the value, it resets all characters in the text layer to the specified setting.

Type

Floating-point value; read/write.

188

After Effects scripting reference TextLayer object

188

TextLayer object

app.project.item(index).layer(index)

Description

The TextLayer object represents a text layer within a composition. Create it using the LayerCollection object’s

addText method; see “LayerCollection addText() method” on page 98. It can be accessed in an item’s layer

collection either by index number or by a name string.

•TextLayer is a subclass of AVLayer, which is a subclass of Layer. All methods and attributes of AVLayer and

Layer are available when working with TextLayer. See “Layer object” on page 86 and “AVLayer object” on

page 38.

AE Properties

TextLayer defines no additional attributes, but has the following AE properties and property groups, in

addition to those inherited from AVLayer:

Text

Source Text

Path Options

Path

Reverse Path

Perpendicular To Path

Force Alignment

First Margin

Last Margin

More Options

Anchor Point Grouping

Grouping Alignment

Fill & Stroke

Inter-Character Blending

Animators

Unused Properties and Attributes

The Time Remap and Motion Trackers properties, inherited from AVLayer, are not applicable to text layers,

and their related AVLayer attributes are not used:

canSetTimeRemapEnabled

timeRemapEnabled

trackMatteType

isTrackMatte

hasTrackMatte

189

After Effects scripting reference Viewer object

189

Viewer object

app.activeViewer

Description

The Viewer object represents a Composition, Layer, or Footage panel.

Example

This maximizes the active viewer panel, and displays its type if it contains a composition:

var activeViewer = app.activeViewer;

activeViewer.maximized = true;

if (activeViewer.type == ViewerType.VIEWER_COMPOSITION)

alert("Composition panel is active.");

Attributes

Methods

Viewer active attribute

viewer.active

Description

When true, indicates if the viewer panel is focused, and thereby frontmost.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

Viewer maximized attribute

viewer.maximized

Description

When true, indicates if the viewer panel is at its maximized size.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

Attribute Reference Description

type “Viewer type attribute” on page 190 The type of content in the viewer.

active “Viewer active attribute” on page 189 When true, the viewer is focused.

maximized “Viewer maximized attribute” on page 189 When true, the viewer is at its maximized size.

Method Reference Description

setActive() “Viewer setActive() method” on page 190 Moves the viewer to front and places focus on it.

190

After Effects scripting reference Viewer object

190

Viewer setActive() method

viewer.setActive()

Description

Moves the viewer panel to the front and places focus on it, making it active. Calling this method will set the

viewer’s active attribute to true.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Boolean indicating if the viewer panel was made active.

Viewer type attribute

viewer.type

Description

The content in the viewer panel.

Type

A ViewerType enumerated value; read-only. One of:

ViewerType.VIEWER_COMPOSITION

ViewerType.VIEWER_LAYER

ViewerType.VIEWER_FOOTAGE

191

Examples

This section describes some of the sample scripts available from the File > Scripts menu, giving an overview of

what they do and a description of how they work.

This set of examples is by no means exhaustive, but it does demonstrate some of scripting’s more complex

features in action. It also shows some typical programming constructions from JavaScript that apply to

scripting.

For more examples from Adobe and from other After Effects users, visit Adobe Exchange at http://

www.adobe.com/go/exchange/, and choose the Scripts category in the Adobe After Effects section.

New render locations

This script, Change Render Locations.jsx, allows the user to select queued items in the render queue and

assign a new render destination for them.

This script does the following:

•Prompts the user for a new folder to use as a render destination.

•Checks that the user entered a new location (and didn’t cancel), then creates a loop for each selected render

queue item, and for each output module in it.

•If an item is queued, gives the current render location a new name and location, and displays an alert stating

the new file path.

Smart import

This script, Smart Import.jsx, allows the user to import the full, nested contents of a folder just by selecting it.

It attempts to detect whether each item is a still, moving footage, or an image sequence. The user still has to

make other choices in dialog boxes, such as which layer of a multi-layer image (such as a PSD file) to import.

This script does the following:

•Prompts the user for a folder whose contents are to be imported, and checks that the user chooses a folder

rather than cancelling.

•Defines a function, processFolder(), to import each of the files in the chosen folder, which uses several

helper functions.

•Defines a helper function, testForSequence(), to test whether a given file is part of a sequence. This uses

regular expressions, which are a special type of JavaScript designed to reduce the number of steps required

to evaluate a string.

The first one tests for the presence of sequential numbers anywhere in the file name, followed by another

making certain that the sequential files aren’t of a type that can’t be imported as a sequence (moving image

files). The function then checks adjacent files to see if a sequence exists, stopping after we’ve evaluated ten

files to save processing time.

192

Examples Render and e-mail

192

If no match is found for a number string, assumes there is no image sequence and checks for an array

consisting of the matched string and its location within the file name.

If all files are part of a numbered sequence, assumes a sequence and returns the first file of that sequence.

•Defines a helper function to pop up error dialog boxes if there is a problem with any file we are attempting

to import.

•Defines a helper function to actually import any image sequence discovered using testForSequence().

There is an option for forcing alphabetical order in sequences, which is commented out in the script as

written. If you want to force alphabetical order, uncomment the line importOptions.forceAlphabetical =

true.

•Calls the main function, processFolder().

Render and e-mail

This script, Render and Email.jsx, renders all queued items in an open project and sends an e-mail report to

indicate when the render has completed. It makes use of two other scripts that follow, email_methods.jsx (to

send the e-mail properly) and Change Email Settings.jsx (which establishes the sender, recipient, and e-mail

server); these two scripts are in the (support) subfolder of the Scripts folder on disk.

This script does the following:

•Establishes conditions under which the script will run. An open project with at least one item queued is

required.

•Checks whether e-mail settings are already saved in the preferences. If not, run the Change Email

Settings.jsx script (via File > Scripts > Run Script File), which prompts the user for the mail gateway and

sender and recipient addresses. (If there are saved settings that you need to change, you can always run the

script to make new settings that overwrite the existing ones.)

•Render the items in the render queue.

•When rendering is complete, creates a text string for the e-mail message that contains the start time of the

render, the render time of each item in the queue, and the total render time.

•E-mails the message, using the settings (such as the server) from the email_methods.jsx script

•Displays an error if for any reason it is unable to send the mail.

A helper script, email_methods.jsx, creates an e-mail object, using the ExtendScript Socket object. For details

of that utility, see the Creative Suite 6 JavaScript Tools Guide.

Another helper script, email_setup.jsx, prompts the user for the server name, e-mail sender, and e-mail

recipient that are saved as Settings. You can run this script as standalone any time you want to change the

settings. This script is a good example of how to create settings that are saved in preferences for the sole use of

scripting (as opposed to altering existing After Effects preferences settings).

Convert selected properties to markers

This script, Convert Selected Properties to Markers.jsx, goes through the properties in each layer that are

currently selected in the Timeline panel, and converts the value of each property at each frame time to a Flash

Video event cue point in a marker.

193

Examples Convert selected properties to markers

193

This script adds a layer-time marker on the layer at the same time as each keyframe for each selected property.

Each marker is associated with an event-type Flash Video cue point, and the cue point is given a parameter

whose name is the name of the property and whose value is the property’s value at that time. If the selected

property has an expression, a marker is created for each frame, with the values sampled at each frame.

Note: This script does not convert properties that have complex value types, such as the Path property for a paint

stroke, the Curves property of a Curve effect, or a gradient property.

When you render the composition as Flash video, all markers that contain cue-point data are converted to

Flash Video cue points.

After Effects CS6 Scripting Guide

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