Adobe After Effects CS3 Scripting Guide Aftereffectscs3 En

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Overview
JavaScript Reference
Examples
After Effects Object Summary

SCRIPTING GUIDE

Adobe® Creative Suite 3 After Effects® Scripting Guide

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Overview

The After Effects Scripting Guide demonstrates how to take procedural control of your After Effects projects via

scripting. This feature set is available in Adobe® After Effects® CS3 Professional Edition.

With the use of system-level scripting, you can streamline your render pipeline and avoid a lot of repetitive

pointing and clicking. If you have used expressions or other JavaScript-like techniques for animating, or

worked with system scripting in AppleScript or Visual Basic, you will recognize the power of application

scripting in After Effects. With some practice, and with sufficient experience using the JavaScript language, you

can take control of your graphics pipeline.

If you are new to scripting

After Effects is a visual tool with a graphical user interface; you are used to interacting with it via interface

elements such as menus, panels, and icons. For the most part, this is the most accessible way to work. Scripting

is designed for situations in which this methodology involves tedious repetition or painstaking searching and

sorting that could be automated. Scripting can be a shortcut around tedious tasks that would otherwise involve

repetitious pointing and clicking. It is also useful for leveraging the power of networked rendering in situations

where Watch Folder is less powerful (and less convenient to set up). See “Examples” on page 173 for examples

of what scripts can do.

If you are new to scripting, see Adobe Introduction to Scripting, which introduces basic scripting concepts and

describes different scripting languages that are available, including JavaScript. JavaScript and other scripting

languages are object-oriented, and this book also describes the basic concepts of object-oriented programming

and document object models.

Even if you have no inclination to learn the JavaScript language, you can still harness the power of scripting via

third-party solutions such as Rush Network Render Queue, a graphical user interface to set up distributed

renders from any computer on the network without having to set up on individual machines.

You can also leverage the contributions of scripting users who share scripts with other users. Larger studios

may have such users in-house, while other users can visit forums such as those found at

www.adobeforums.com.

About this guide

This guide is for users who manage a graphics pipeline (which may include other scriptable applications as

well) and who want to write scripts to add custom capabilities to After Effects.

This functionality is also offered via third-party network rendering management solutions. These products

feature software designed to help manage this process, so it is possible to take advantage of this functionality

without having to perform manual editing of scripts.

Overview Editing scripts

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 JavaScript objects that have been defined for After Effects projects.

Much of what scripting can accomplish replicates what can be done via the After Effects user interface, so a

thorough knowledge of the application itself is also essential to understanding how to use this functionality.

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.

After Effects scripting is based on ECMAScript (or more specifically, the 3rd Edition of the ECMA-262

Standard). Further documentation on this standard can be found at www.ecma-international.org. To take full

advantage of what is possible with scripting you will also need an understanding of writing scripts at the

system level (for integration with AppleScript or the Terminal command line in Mac OS and command-line

scripts on Windows systems) and a background in how to work with JavaScript.

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).

Expressions

Although both After Effects expressions and the After Effects scripting interface use JavaScript and can access

individual layer properties, they are entirely distinct entities. Expressions cannot access information from

scripts (such as variables and functions), although a script can be written to create or edit an expression.

Because both expressions and scripting use JavaScript, familiarity with either one is helpful in understanding

the other.

Motion math

Motion math is no longer included in After Effects; its functionality has been superseded by scripting and

expressions. All mathematical and logical operators common to ECMAScript are available in scripting.

For example, with expressions it is possible to simulate the physics of a bouncing ball by applying mathe-

matical rules to a “ball” layer. But using scripting, you can create a whole user interface that allows a bouncing

ball and shadow layer to be animated using criteria entered by the user.

Editing scripts

After Effects includes a JavaScript editor. To start it, choose File > Scripts > Open Script Editor. This script

editor and debugger, called the ExtendScript Toolkit, provides a convenient interface for creating and testing

your own scripts.

You can use any text editor to create, edit, and save scripts, but it is recommended that you choose an appli-

cation that does not automatically add header information when saving files and that saves with Unicode

(UTF-8) encoding.

•Windows applications that are useful for editing scripts include EM Editor or the built-in Notepad (be sure

to set Encoding within save options to UTF-8).

•Mac OS applications that are useful for editing scripts include BBEdit or the built-in OS X TextEdit (be sure

to set the Save type in Preferences to Unicode [UTF-8]).

Overview Activating full scripting features

The ExtendScript JSX format

After Effects supports ExtendScript, Adobe’s extended implementation of JavaScript. ExtendScript is used by

all Adobe applications that provide a scripting interface. In addition to implementing the JavaScript language

according to the ECMA 262 and E4X ECMA 357 specifications, ExtendScript provides certain additional

features and utilities:

ExtendScript Toolkit: For help in developing, debugging, and testing scripts, ExtendScript provides an inter-

active development and testing environment, the ExtendScript Toolkit. It also defines a global debugging

object, the dollar ($) object, and a reporting utility for ExtendScript elements, the ExtendScript Reflection

interface.

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).

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

applications, and allows interapplication communication through scripts.

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

systems from your After Effects scripts.

These features and more are described in detail in the JavaScript Tools Guide, which is available with After

Effects, and from partners.adobe.com.

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

used with standard 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

For security reasons, the scripting features that operate outside the After Effects application (such as adding

and deleting files and folders on volumes, or accessing the network) are disabled by default.

To enable these features, choose Preferences > General, and select “Allow Scripts To Write Files And Access

Network.” This allows you to:

•Write to files

•Create folders and set the current folder

•Create a socket connection (for details of this JavaScript utility, see the JavaScript Tools Guide)

Overview Accessing and writing scripts

Adobe supplies a full-featured JavaScript debugger, called the ExtendScript Toolkit. The Toolkit is disabled by

default so that casual users do not encounter it. When editing or writing scripts, the Toolkit can help you

diagnose script problems more quickly. To activate the Toolkit on the local computer when a script error is

encountered, choose Preferences > General, and select Enable JavaScript Debugger. For detailed information

on the ExtendScript Toolkit, see the JavaScript Tools Guide.

Note that the Toolkit operates only when executing a script, not with expressions, even though expressions

also make use of JavaScript.

Accessing and writing scripts

To create and edit scripts for After Effects, you can use the ExtendScript Toolkit, or an external text-editing

application that creates files with Unicode UTF-8 text encoding. Beware of applications such as Microsoft

Word that by default add header information to files; these create line 0 errors in scripts, causing them to fail.

A script can reside anywhere, although to appear in the Scripts menu it must be saved in the Scripts folder

within the After Effects application folder.

There is no built-in method for recording a series of actions in After Effects into a script, as you can with

Adobe Photoshop® actions. Scripts are created outside After Effects and then executed within it, or externally

via a command-line, the ExtendScript Toolkit, or third-party render management software.

The Scripts menu and Scripts folder

After Effects scripts reside in the Scripts folder, within the same folder as your After Effects application file.

Only scripts contained in this Scripts folder when the application starts are automatically listed in the Scripts

menu, although a script file can reside anywhere.

To run a script that does not appear in the Scripts menu, choose File > Scripts > Run Script File, and choose

the script in the Open dialog box. Alternatively, you can send After Effects a script from the ExtendScript

Toolkit, from a command line (on Windows) or from AppleScript (on Mac OS).

To appear in the Open dialog box, your script must include the proper .jsx file extension.

Shutdown and Startup folders

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 19) to extend the application for other 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.

Overview Sending a script to After Effects from the system

The Window menu and ScriptUI Panels folder

Within the Scripts folder, you can create another folder named ScriptUI Panels. Use this folder for scripts

whose user interface appears in a native panel (as opposed to a floating palette, dialog box, or window). The

advantage of a panel is that it can be docked with other panels, such as Project, Composition, and Time

Controls, and appear more integrated into the application. Like native panels, ScriptUI Panels scripts are

accessed from the Window menu.

Instead of creating a Window object an 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");

myPanel.show();

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);

myToolsPanel.show();

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);

myToolsPanel.show();

Sending a script to After Effects from the system

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.

How to include After Effects scripting in a command line (Windows)

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")"

Overview Testing and troubleshooting

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"

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 CS3"

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 CS3"

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 selection as text

end tell

tell application "Adobe After Effects CS3"

activate

DoScript the_script

end tell

For more information on using AppleScript, check out Matt Neuberg’s AppleScript: the Definitive Guide

(O’Reilly & Associates) or Sal Soghoian’s AppleScript 1-2-3 (Peachpit Press).

Testing and troubleshooting

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.

Overview More resources to learn scripting

Additionally, After Effects includes a JavaScript debugger. For more information on activating and using the

debugger, see the ExtendScript Toolkit documentation in the JavaScript Tools Guide.

More resources to learn scripting

Many resources exist for learning more about scripting that uses the ECMA standard.

The After Effects scripting engine supports 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.

Books that deal with JavaScript 1.2 are also useful for understanding how scripting works in After Effects. One

book that is something of a standard for JavaScript users is JavaScript: The Definitive Guide (O’Reilly) by David

Flanagan. Another very readable source is JavaScript: A Beginner’s Guide (Osborne) by John Pollock. Both of

these texts contain information that pertains only to extensions of JavaScript for Internet browsers; however,

they also contain thorough descriptions of scripting fundamentals.

There are also books for using AppleScript and creating Windows command line scripts, each of which can be

used to send scripts to After Effects.

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.

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

Overview More resources to learn 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

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.

%Modulo division.

Keyword/Statement Description

Overview More resources to learn scripting

Table 3 Operator Precedence

+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 (highest precedence to lowest) Associativity

[], (), .left to right

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

Operators Description

Overview More resources to learn scripting

*, /, % 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

Operators (highest precedence to lowest) Associativity

JavaScript 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 9.

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

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.

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

JavaScript Reference The After Effects Object Model

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 16 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 19 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 32 Represents audio/visual files imported into After Effects.

“AVLayer object” on page 39 Represents those layers that contain AVItem objects (Comp 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.

JavaScript Reference The After Effects Object Model

“FileSource object” on page 60 Describes footage that comes from a file.

“FolderItem object” on page 62 Represents a folder in the Project panel.

“FootageItem object” on page 64 Represents a footage item imported into a project, which appears in the Project panel.

“FootageSource object” on page 67 Describes the file source of some footage.

“ImportOptions object” on page 73 Encapsulates options for importing files into After Effects.

“Item object” on page 76 Represents an item in a project that appears in the Project panel.

“ItemCollection object” on page 79 Collects items in a project.

“KeyframeEase object” on page 81 Encapsulates keyframe ease values in an After Effects property.

“Layer object” on page 83 A base class for layer classes.

“LayerCollection object” on page 92 Collects layers in a project.

“LightLayer object” on page 97 Represents a light layer within a composition.

“MarkerValue object” on page 98 Encapsulates marker values in an AE property.

“MaskPropertyGroup object” on

page 102

Encapsulates mask attributes in a layer.

“OMCollection object” on page 104 Collects output modules in a render queue.

“OutputModule object” on page 105 Represents an output module for a render queue.

“PlaceholderSource object” on page 108 Describes a placeholder for footage.

“Project object” on page 109 Represents an After Effects project.

“Property object” on page 118 Represents an After Effects property.

“PropertyBase object” on page 140 A base class for After Effects property and property group classes.

“PropertyGroup object” on page 147 Represents an After Effects property group.

“RenderQueue object” on page 152 Represents the After Effects render queue.

“RenderQueueItem object” on page 155 Represents a renderable item in a render queue.

“RenderQueueItem object” on page 155 Collects render-queue items in a render queue.

“RQItemCollection object” on page 161 Provides access to application settings and preferences.

“Shape object” on page 164 Encapsulates the outline shape information for a mask.

“ShapeLayer object” on page 167 Represents a shape layer within a composition.

“SolidSource object” on page 168 Describes a solid color that is the source of some footage.

“System object” on page 169 Provides access to the operating system from the application.

“TextDocument object” on page 171 Encapsulates the text in a text layer.

“TextLayer object” on page 172 Represents a text layer within a composition.

Object Description

JavaScript 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 Adobe Bridge® JavaScript

Reference.

NOTE: The After Effects global functions for standard dialogs and file I/O are still supported in this release, but

are deprecated and will not be supported in future releases. For details, see the After Effects 6.5 documentation.

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 111).

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.

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

JavaScript Reference Global functions

Returns

Floating-point value, the number of seconds.

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 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 111).

Parameters

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.");

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

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.

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

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

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.

JavaScript Reference Global functions

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");

text The string to display.

JavaScript 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 28 and “Project object” on

page 109

The current After Effects project.

language “Application language attribute” on

page 24

The language in which the application is running.

version “Application version attribute” on

page 30

The version number of the After Effects application.

buildName “Application buildName attribute” on

page 21

The name of this build of the application.

buildNumber “Application buildNumber attribute” on

page 22

The number of this build of the application.

isWatchFolder “Application isWatchFolder attribute”

on page 24

When true, the local application is running in Watch

Folder mode.

isRenderEngine “Application isRenderEngine attribute”

on page 24

When true, the local After Effects application is running

as a render engine.

settings “Application settings attribute” on

page 30 and “RQItemCollection object”

on page 161

Application settings that can be set via scripting.

onError “Application onError attribute” on

page 26

A callback function that is called when an error occurs

in the application.

exitCode “Application exitCode attribute” on

page 24

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 23

When true, the application remains open after running

a script from the command line on Windows.

saveProjectOnCrash “Application saveProjectOnCrash

attribute” on page 28

When true, the project is saved if the application closes

unexpectedly.

memoryInUse “Application memoryInUse attribute”

on page 25

Memory in use by this application.

JavaScript 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 25

Creates a new project in After Effects.

open() “Application open() method” on page 26 Opens a project or an Open Project dialog box.

quit() “Application quit() method” on page 28 Quits the application.

watchFolder() “Application watchFolder() method” on

page 30

Starts Watch Folder mode; does not return

until Watch Folder mode is turned off.

pauseWatchFolder() “Application pauseWatchFolder() method”

on page 27

Pauses a current watch-folder process.

endWatchFolder() “Application endWatchFolder() method” on

page 23

Ends a current watch-folder process.

purge() “Application purge() method” on page 28 Purges a targeted type of cached information

(replicates Purge options in the Edit menu).

beginUndoGroup() “Application beginUndoGroup() method”

on page 21

Groups the actions that follow it into a single

undoable step.

endUndoGroup() “Application endUndoGroup() method” on

page 22

Ends an undo group; needed only when a

script contains more than one undo group.

beginSuppressDialogs() “Application beginSuppressDialogs()

method” on page 21

Begins suppression of dialogs in the user inter-

face.

endSuppressDialogs() “Application endSuppressDialogs()

method” on page 22

Ends suppression of dialogs in the user inter-

face.

setMemoryUsageLimits() “Application setMemoryUsageLimits()

method” on page 29

Sets memory usage limits as in the Memory &

Cache preferences area.

setSavePreferencesOnQuit() “Application setSavePreferencesOnQuit()

method” on page 29

Sets whether preferences are saved when the

application is quit.

activate() “Application activate() method” on page 20 Brings the After Effects main window to the

front of the screen.

scheduleTask() “Application scheduleTask() method” on

page 29

Schedules a JavaScript script for delayed exe-

cution.

cancelTask() “Application cancelTask() method” on

page 22

Cancels a scheduled task.

parseSwatchFile() “Application parseSwatchFile() method” on

page 27

Loads a color swatch from an Adobe Swatch

Exchange (ASE) file.

JavaScript Reference Application object

Returns

Nothing.

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 22.

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 22.)

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

Description

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

Type

String; read-only.

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

JavaScript Reference Application object

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 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 21.

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.

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

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

dialog box.

JavaScript Reference Application object

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.

See also

“Application endWatchFolder() method” on page 23

“Application parseSwatchFile() method” on page 27

“Application isWatchFolder attribute” on page 24

JavaScript 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 76.

•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 64.

Attributes

Methods

Attribute Reference Description

name “AVItem name attribute” on page 35 The name of the object as shown in the Project panel.

width “AVItem width attribute” on page 38 The width of the item.

height “AVItem height attribute” on page 34 The height of the item.

pixelAspect “AVItem pixelAspect attribute” on page 35 The pixel aspect ratio of the item.

frameRate “AVItem frameRate attribute” on page 34 The frame rate of the item.

frameDuration “AVItem frameDuration attribute” on page 33 The frame duration for the item.

duration “AVItem duration attribute” on page 33 The total duration of the item.

useProxy “AVItem useProxy attribute” on page 38 When true, a proxy source is used for this item.

proxySource “AVItem proxySource attribute” on page 35 The FootageItem object used as proxy for the item.

time “AVItem time attribute” on page 38 Current time of the item.

usedIn “AVItem usedIn attribute” on page 38 The CompItem objects that use this item.

hasVideo “AVItem hasVideo attribute” on page 34 When true, the item has a video component.

hasAudio “AVItem hasAudio attribute” on page 34 When true, the item has an audio component.

footageMissing “AVItem footageMissing attribute” on

page 33

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

Method Reference Description

setProxy() “AVItem setProxy() method” on page 36 Sets a proxy for the item.

setProxyWithSequence() “AVItem setProxyWithSequence() method” on

page 37

Sets a sequence as a proxy for the item.

setProxyWithSolid() “AVItem setProxyWithSolid() method” on

page 37

Sets a solid as a proxy for the item.

setProxyWithPlaceholder() “AVItem setProxyWithPlaceholder() method” on

page 36

Sets a placeholder as a proxy for the item.

setProxyToNone() “AVItem setProxyToNone() method” on page 36 Removes the proxy for the item.

JavaScript 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 65 and “FileSource missingFootagePath attribute”

on page 60.

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.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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 of the item.

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

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

Certain pixelAspect values are specially known to After Effects, and are stored and retrieved with perfect

accuracy. These are the set {1, 0.9, 1.2, 1.07, 1.42, 2, 0.95, 1.9}. Other values may show slight rounding errors

when you set or get them; that is, the value you retrieve after setting may be slightly different from the value

you supplied.

Type

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

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.

JavaScript Reference AVItem object

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 parameters,

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.

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

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

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].

JavaScript Reference AVItem object

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.

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.

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.

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].

JavaScript Reference AVItem object

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 17.

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: 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.

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.

JavaScript 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 (Comp 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 83.

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

TextLayer objects. See “TextLayer object” on page 172.

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

Material Options

Casts Shadows

Light Transmission

Accepts Shadows

Accepts Lights

Ambient

Diffuse

Specular

Shininess

Metal

Audio

Audio Levels

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;

JavaScript Reference AVLayer object

firstLayer.inPoint = 2;

Attributes

Attribute Reference Description

source “AVLayer replaceSource() method” 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 46 The height of the layer.

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

audioEnabled “AVLayer audioEnabled attribute” on

page 42

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 41

When true, this is an adjustment layer.

guideLayer “AVLayer frameBlendingType 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.

canSetCollapseTransformation “AVLayer calculateTransformFrom-

Points() method” on page 43

When true, it is legal to change the value of

collapseTransformation.

collapseTransformation “AVLayer collapseTransformation

attribute” on page 44

When true, collapse transformation is on.

frameBlending “AVLayer frameBlending attribute” on

page 45

When true, frame blending is enabled.

frameBlendingType “AVLayer frameBlendingType attribute”

on page 45

The type of frame blending for the layer.

canSetTimeRemapEnabled “AVLayer canSetTimeRemapEnabled

attribute” on page 44

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.

audioActive “AVLayer audioActive attribute” on

page 41

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

attribute” 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.

JavaScript 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.

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.

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 42

The type of automatic orientation for the layer.

Method Reference Description

audioActiveAtTime() “AVLayer audioActiveAtTime() method”

on page 42

Reports whether this layer's audio is

active at a given time.

calculateTransformFromPoints() “AVLayer calculateTransformFrom-

Points() 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.

Attribute Reference Description

JavaScript Reference AVLayer object

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:

AutoOrientType.ALONG_PATH

AutoOrientType.CAMERA_OR_POINT_OF_INTEREST

AutoOrientType.NO_AUTO_ORIENT

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:

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

JavaScript Reference AVLayer object

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

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

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].

JavaScript Reference AVLayer object

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.

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.

JavaScript Reference AVLayer object

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.

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

JavaScript Reference AVLayer object

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.

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.

JavaScript 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 110.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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 93. 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 83.

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

JavaScript 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 79 All of the items (imported files, folders, solids, and so on) found in

the Project panel.

LayerCollection “LayerCollection object” on

page 92

All of the layers in a composition.

OMCollection “OMCollection object” on page 104 All of the Output Module items in the project.

RQItemCollection “RenderQueueItem object” on

page 155

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.

JavaScript 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 32 and “Item object” on page 76.

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.

workAreaStart “CompItem workAreaStart attribute” on

page 59

The work area start time.

workAreaDuration “CompItem workAreaDuration

attribute” on page 58

The work area duration.

numLayers “CompItem numLayers attribute” on

page 56

The number of layers in the composition.

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 composi-

tion.

draft3d “CompItem draft3d attribute” on

page 54

When true, Draft 3D mode is enabled for the Compo-

sition panel.

frameBlending “CompItem frameBlending attribute”

on page 54

When true, time filtering is enabled for this composi-

tion.

preserveNestedFrameRate “CompItem preserveNestedFrameRate

attribute” on page 56

When true, the frame rate of nested compositions is

preserved.

preserveNestedResolution “CompItem preserveNestedResolution

attribute” on page 57

When true, the resolution of nested compositions is

preserved.

bgColor “CompItem bgColor attribute” on

page 53

The background color of the composition.

activeCamera “CompItem activeCamera attribute” on

page 53

The current active camera layer.

displayStartTime “CompItem displayStartTime attribute”

on page 54

Changes the display of the start time in the Timeline

panel.

JavaScript 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.

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.

resolutionFactor “CompItem resolutionFactor attribute”

on page 57

The factor by which the x and y resolution of the Com-

position panel is downsampled.

shutterAngle “CompItem shutterAngle attribute” on

page 58

The camera shutter angle.

shutterPhase “CompItem shutterPhase attribute” on

page 58

The camera shutter phase.

layers “CompItem layers attribute” on page 56

“LayerCollection object” on page 92

The layers of the composition.

selectedLayers “CompItem selectedLayers attribute” on

page 58

The selected layers of the composition.

selectedProperties “CompItem selectedProperties

attribute” on page 58

The selected properties of the composition.

renderer “CompItem renderer attribute” on

page 57

The rendering plugin module to be used to render

this composition.

renderers “CompItem renderers attribute” on

page 57

The set of available rendering plugin 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.

Attribute Reference Description

JavaScript Reference CompItem object

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 duplicate() method

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

Description

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

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.

JavaScript Reference CompItem object

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.

Parameters

—or—

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.

JavaScript Reference CompItem object

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 92.

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 numLayers attribute

app.project.item(index).numLayers

Description

The number of layers in the composition.

Type

Integer; read-only.

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.

JavaScript 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 plugin 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 plugin 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.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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 67.

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 33.

Type

String; read-only.

Attribute Reference Description

file “FileSource file attribute” on page 60 The file that defines this asset.

missingFootagePath “FileSource missingFootagePath attribute”

on page 60

The file that contains footage missing from this asset.

Method Reference Description

reload() “FileSource reload() method” on page 61 Reloads the asset from the file, if it is a mainSource of

a FootageItem.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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 63 The contents of this folder.

numItems “FolderItem numItems attribute” on page 63 The number of items contained in the folder.

Method Reference Description

item() “FolderItem item() method” on page 62 Gets an item from the folder.

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

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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 32 and “Item object” on page 76.

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 64 The footage source file.

mainSource “FootageItem mainSource attribute” on page 65 All settings related to the footage item.

Method Reference Description

replace() “FootageItem replace() method” on

page 65

Replaces a footage file with another footage file.

replaceWithPlaceholder() “FootageItem replaceWithPlace-

holder() method” on page 65

Replaces a footage file with a placeholder object.

replaceWithSequence() “FootageItem replaceWithSequence()

method” on page 66

Replaces a footage file with an image sequence.

replaceWithSolid() “FootageItem replaceWithSolid()

method” on page 66

Replaces a footage file with a solid.

JavaScript 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 67, and its three types:

•“SolidSource object” on page 168

•“FileSource object” on page 60

•“PlaceholderSource object” on page 108

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 33 and

“FileSource missingFootagePath attribute” on page 60.

Type

FootageSource object; read-only.

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 32) 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 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

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].

JavaScript Reference FootageItem object

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 32) 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.

Parameters

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.

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].

JavaScript 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 64 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 168.

Attributes

Methods

Attribute Reference Description

hasAlpha “FootageSource hasAlpha attribute” on

page 70

When true, a footage clip or proxy includes an

alpha channel.

alphaMode “FootageSource alphaMode attribute”

on page 68

The mode of an alpha channel.

premulColor “FootageSource premulColor attribute”

on page 71

The color to be premultiplied.

invertAlpha “FootageSource invertAlpha attribute”

on page 70

When true, an alpha channel in a footage clip or

proxy should be inverted.

isStill “FootageSource isStill attribute” on

page 70

When true, footage is a still image.

fieldSeparationType “FootageSource fieldSeparationType

attribute” on page 69

The field separation type.

highQualityFieldSeparation “FootageSource highQualityFieldSepa-

ration attribute” on page 70

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

age.

removePulldown “FootageSource removePulldown

attribute” on page 71

The pulldown type for the footage.

loop “FootageSource loop attribute” on

page 71

How many times an image sequence is set to loop.

nativeFrameRate “FootageSource nativeFrameRate

attribute” on page 71

The native frame rate of the footage.

displayFrameRate “FootageSource displayFrameRate

attribute” on page 68

The effective frame rate as displayed and rendered

in compositions by After Effects.

conformFrameRate “FootageSource conformFrameRate

attribute” on page 68

The rate to which footage should conform.

Method Reference Description

guessAlphaMode() “FootageSource guessAlphaMode()

method” on page 69

Estimates the alphaMode setting.

guessPulldown() “FootageSource guessPulldown()

method” on page 69

Estimates the pulldownType setting.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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

JavaScript 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

JavaScript 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 112.

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 74.

Parameters

Attributes Reference Description

importAs “ImportOptions importAs attribute” on

page 74

The type of file to be imported.

sequence “ImportOptions sequence attribute” on

page 75

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

ual file.

forceAlphabetical “ImportOptions forceAlphabetical

attribute” on page 74

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

file “ImportOptions file attribute” on

page 74

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

Method Reference Description

canImportAs() “ImportOptions canImportAs() method”

on page 73

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

JavaScript 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 73.

Type

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

ImportAsType.COMP_CROPPED_LAYERS

ImportAsType.FOOTAGE

ImportAsType.COMP

ImportAsType.PROJECT

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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 32 and “FolderItem object” on page 62.

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("errorwithin AE: the parentFolder is not set correctly");

}

else {

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

// Aha! an unselected solid.

curItem.remove();

Attributes Reference Description

name “Item name attribute” on page 77 The name of the object as shown in the Project panel.

comment “Item comment attribute” on page 77 A descriptive string.

id “Item id attribute” on page 77 A unique identifier for this item.

parentFolder “Item parentFolder attribute” on page 77 The parent folder of this item.

selected “Item selected attribute” on page 78 When true, this item is currently selected.

typeName “Item typeName attribute” on page 78 The type of item.

Method Reference Description

remove() “Item remove() method” on page 78 Deletes the item from the project.

JavaScript Reference Item object

}

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 name attribute

app.project.item(index).name

Description

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

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 79.

JavaScript Reference Item object

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.

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.

JavaScript 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.itemCollection.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.itemCollection.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 79

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

addFolder() “ItemCollection addFolder() method” on

page 79

Creates a new FolderItemobject 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]

JavaScript 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 77.

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.

JavaScript 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. There are two types

of ease, temporal and spatial, which are determined by the speed and influence settings. Both types are set

using the property’s setTemporalEaseAtKey method. See “Property setTemporalEaseAtKey() method” on

page 136.

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 two 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 82 The speed setting for a keyframe.

influence “KeyframeEase influence attribute” on page 81 The influence setting for a keyframe.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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, TextLayer, LightLayer, and AVLayer, so Layer attributes and

methods are available when working with all layer types. See “AVLayer object” on page 39,

“CameraLayer object” on page 50, “LightLayer object” on page 97, and “TextLayer object” on page 172.

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 140.

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 87 The index position of the layer.

name “Layer name attribute” on page 89 The name of the layer.

parent “Layer parent attribute” on page 89 The parent of this layer.

time “Layer time attribute” on page 91 The current time of the layer.

startTime “Layer startTime attribute” on page 91 The start time of the layer.

stretch “Layer stretch attribute” on page 91 The time stretch percentage of the layer.

inPoint “Layer inPoint attribute” on page 87 The “in” point of the layer.

outPoint “Layer outPoint attribute” on page 89 The “out” point of the layer.

enabled “Layer enabled attribute” on page 86 When true, the layer is enabled.

solo “Layer solo attribute” on page 91 When true, the layer is soloed.

shy “Layer shy attribute” on page 90 When true, the layer is shy.

locked “Layer locked attribute” on page 87 When true, the layer is locked.

hasVideo “Layer hasVideo attribute” on page 86 When true, the layer contains a video component.

active “Layer active attribute” on page 84 When true, the layer is active at the current time.

nullLayer “Layer nullLayer attribute” on page 89 When true, this is a null layer.

selectedProperties “Layer selectedProperties attribute” on page 90 All selected AE properties in the layer.

comment “Layer comment attribute” on page 85 A descriptive comment for the layer.

containingComp “Layer containingComp attribute” on page 85 The composition that contains this layer.

JavaScript 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 87 When true, the layer’s name has been explicitly set.

Method Reference Description

remove() “Layer remove() method” on page 90 Deletes the layer from the composition.

moveToBeginning() “Layer moveToBeginning() method” on

page 88

Moves the layer to the top of the composition (makes it the

first layer).

moveToEnd() “Layer moveToEnd() method” on

page 88

Moves the layer to the bottom of the composition (makes it

the last layer).

moveAfter() “Layer moveAfter() method” on page 87 Moves the layer below another layer.

moveBefore() “Layer moveBefore() method” on

page 88

Moves the layer above another layer.

duplicate() “Layer duplicate() method” on page 86 Duplicates the layer.

copyToComp() “Layer copyToComp() method” on

page 86

Copies the layer to the top (beginning) of another compo-

sition.

activeAtTime() “Layer activeAtTime() method” on

page 84

Reports whether this layer will be active at a specified time.

setParentWithJump() “Layer setParentWithJump() method”

on page 90

Sets a new parent for this layer.

applyPresets() “Layer applyPreset() method” on

page 85

Applies a named collection of animation settings to the

layer.

Attribute Reference Description

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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 croplands 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.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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(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 A layer object in the same composition.

JavaScript 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.

JavaScript 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 93

Creates a new AVLayer and adds it to this collection.

addNull() “LayerCollection addNull() method” on

page 94

Creates a new, null layer and adds it to this collection.

addSolid() “LayerCollection addSolid() method” on

page 94

Creates a new layer, a FootageItem with a SolidSource, and adds it

to this collection.

addText() “LayerCollection addText() method” on

page 95

Creates a new text layer and adds it to this collection.

addCamera() “LayerCollection addCamera() method”

on page 93

Creates a new camera layer and adds it to this collection.

addLight() “LayerCollection addLight() method” on

page 93

Creates a new light layer and adds it to this collection.

addShape() “LayerCollection addShape() method”

on page 94

Creates a new shape layer and adds it to this collection.

byName() “LayerCollection byName() method” on

page 95

Retrieves the layer object with a specified name.

precompose() “LayerCollection precompose()

method” on page 96

Collects specified layers into a new composition.

JavaScript 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.

This method generates an exception if the item cannot be added as a layer to this CompItem.

Parameters

Returns

AVLayer 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.

Parameters

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.

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.

name A string containing the name of the new layer.

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].

JavaScript Reference LayerCollection object

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.

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

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.

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

JavaScript Reference LayerCollection object

Returns

AVLayer object.

LayerCollection addText() method

app.project.item(index).layers.addText(sourceText)

Description

Creates a new text layer and adds the new TextLayer object to this collection.

Parameters

Returns

TextLayer 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.

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 171.

name A string containing the name.

JavaScript Reference LayerCollection object

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.

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.

JavaScript Reference LightLayer object

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 93. 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 83.

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

JavaScript Reference MarkerValue object

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 getParameter() and setParameter() 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);

•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

Attribute Reference Description

comment “MarkerValue comment attribute” on

page 99

A comment on the associated layer.

chapter “MarkerValue chapter attribute” on

page 99

A chapter link reference point for the associated layer.

cuePointName “MarkerValue cuePointName attribute”

on page 99

The Flash Video cue point name.

eventCuePoint “MarkerValue eventCuePoint attribute”

on page 99

Whether the Flash Video cue point is for an event or navigation.

url “MarkerValue getParameters() method”

on page 100

A URL for Web page to be associated with the layer.

frameTarget “MarkerValue eventCuePoint attribute”

on page 99

A specific frame target within the Web page specified by url.

Method Reference Description

getParameters() “MarkerValue getParameters() method”

on page 100

Retrieves the key-value pairs associated with the marker value.

setParameters() “MarkerValue setParameters() method”

on page 100

Sets the key-value pairs associated with the marker value.

JavaScript Reference MarkerValue object

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.

Type

String; read/write.

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.

100

JavaScript Reference MarkerValue object

100

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

Returns

Nothing.

Example

var mv = new MarkerValue("My Marker");

var parms = new Object;

parms.timeToBlink = 1;

parms.assignMe = "A string"

mv.setParameters(parms);

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.

101

JavaScript Reference MarkerValue object

101

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.

102

JavaScript Reference MaskPropertyGroup object

102

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 140 and “PropertyGroup object” on page 147.

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 103

The mask mode.

inverted “MaskPropertyGroup inverted attribute” on

page 102

When true, the mask is inverted.

rotoBezier “MaskPropertyGroup rotoBezier attribute”

on page 103

When true, the shape of the mask is RotoBezier.

maskMotionBlur “MaskPropertyGroup maskMotionBlur

attribute” on page 103

How motion blur is applied to this mask.

locked “MaskPropertyGroup locked attribute” on

page 103

When true, the mask is locked.

color “MaskPropertyGroup color attribute” on

page 102

The color used to draw the mask outline in the user

interface.

103

JavaScript Reference MaskPropertyGroup object

103

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 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.

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.

104

JavaScript Reference OMCollection object

104

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 105

•OMCollection is a subclass of Collection. All methods and attributes of Collection are available when

working with OMCollection. See “Collection object” on page 51.

105

JavaScript Reference OutputModule object

105

OutputModule object

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModules(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).outputModules[index].applyTemplate(templateName)

Description

Applies the specified existing output-module template.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

OutputModule file attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModules[index].file

Description

The ExtendScript File object for the file this output module is set to render.

Attribute Reference Description

file “OutputModule file attribute” on

page 105

The path and name of the file to be rendered.

postRenderAction “OutputModule postRenderAction

attribute” on page 106

An action to be taken after rendering.

name “OutputModule name attribute” on

page 106

The user-interface name of the output module.

templates “OutputModule templates attribute” on

page 107

All templates for the output module.

Method Reference Description

remove() “OutputModule remove() method” on

page 106

Removes this output module from the render-queue item’s list.

saveAsTemplate() “OutputModule saveAsTemplate()

method” on page 106

Saves a new output-module template.

applyTemplate() “OutputModule applyTemplate()

method” on page 105

Applies an output-module template.

templateName A string containing the name of the template to be applied.

106

JavaScript Reference OutputModule object

106

Type

ExtendScript File object; read/write.

OutputModule name attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModules[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).outputModules[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

OutputModule remove() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModules[index].remove()

Description

Removes this OutputModule object from the collection.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

OutputModule saveAsTemplate() method

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModules[index].saveAsTemplate(name)

Description

Saves this output module as a template and adds it to the templates array.

107

JavaScript Reference OutputModule object

107

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

OutputModule templates attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).outputModules[index].templates

Description

The names of all output-module templates availalbe in the local installation of After Effects.

Type

Array of strings; read-only.

name A string containing the name of the new template.

108

JavaScript Reference PlaceholderSource object

108

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 67. PlaceholderSource does not

define any additional methods or attributes.

109

JavaScript Reference Project object

109

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

Methods

Attribute Reference Description

file “Project file attribute” on page 112 The file for the currently open project.

rootFolder “Project rootFolder attribute” on

page 115

The folder containing all the contents of the

project; the equivalent of the Project panel

items “Project items attribute” on page 113 All items in the project.

activeItem “Project activeItem attribute” on

page 110

The currently active item.

bitsPerChannel “Project bitsPerChannel attribute” on

page 111

The color depth of the current project.

transparencyGridThumbnails “Project transparencyGridThumbnails

attribute” on page 117

When true, thumbnail views use the transpar-

ency checkerboard pattern.

timecodeDisplayType “Project timecodeDisplayType

attribute” on page 116

The way the timecode is displayed.

timecodeBaseType “Project timecodeBaseType attribute”

on page 116

The timecode base project setting.

timecodeNTSCDropFrame “Project timecodeNTSCDropFrame

attribute” on page 117

The drop-frame project setting.

timecodeFilmType “Project timecodeFilmType attribute”

on page 117

The film type for the “Feet + Frames” project set-

ting.

numItems “Project numItems attribute” on

page 114

The total number of items contained in the

project.

selection “Project selection attribute” on

page 116

All items selected in the Project panel.

renderQueue “Project renderQueue attribute” on

page 115

The project’s render queue.

displayStartFrame “Project displayStartFrame attribute” on

page 111

The frame at which to start numbering when dis-

playing the project.

linearBlending “Project linearBlending attribute” on

page 113

When true, linear blending is used for the project.

Method Reference Description

item() “Project item() method” on page 113 Retrieves an item from the project.

consolidateFootage() “Project consolidateFootage() method”

on page 111

Consolidates all footage in the project.

110

JavaScript Reference Project object

110

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

Returns

Nothing.

removeUnusedFootage() “Project removeUnusedFootage()

method” on page 114

Removes unused footage from the project.

reduceProject() “Project reduceProject() method” on

page 114

Reduces the project to a specified set of items.

close() “Project close() method” on page 111 Closes the project with normal save options.

save() “Project save() method” on page 115 Saves the project.

saveWithDialog() “Project saveWithDialog() method” on

page 115

Displays a Save dialog box.

importPlaceholder() “Project importFileWithDialog()

method” on page 112

Imports a placeholder into the project.

importFile() “Project importFile() method” on

page 112

Imports a file into the project.

importFileWithDialog() “Project importFileWithDialog()

method” on page 112

Displays an Import File dialog box.

showWindow() “Project showWindow() method” on

page 116

Shows or hides the Project panel.

autoFixExpressions() “Project autoFixExpressions() method”

on page 110

Automatically replaces text in all expressions.

oldText The text to replace.

newText The new text.

Method Reference Description

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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.

Project displayStartFrame attribute

app.project.displayStartFrame

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.

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Description

The frame at which to start numbering when displaying the project with a timecodeDisplayType value of

TimecodeDisplayType.FRAMES. (See “Project timecodeDisplayType attribute” on page 116.) This is the

same as setting “Start numbering frames at:” in the Project Settings > Display Style tab.

Type

Integer; read/write.

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 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”))

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.

importOptions An ImportOptions object specifying the file to import and the options for the operation. See

“ImportOptions object” on page 73.

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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.

Type

ItemCollection object; read-only.

Project linearBlending attribute

app.project.linearBlending

Description

True if linear blending should be used for this project; othewise false.

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.

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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);

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.

array_of_items An array containing the Item objects that are to be kept.

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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.

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.

Parameters

None.

file Optional. An ExtendScript File object for the file to save.

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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 timecodeBaseType attribute

app.project.timecodeBaseType

Description

The Timecode Base option, as set in the Project Settings dialog box.

Type

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

TimecodeBaseType.AUTO

TimecodeBaseType.FPS24

TimecodeBaseType.FPS25

TimecodeBaseType.FPS30

TimecodeBaseType.FPS48

TimecodeBaseType.FPS50

TimecodeBaseType.FPS60

TimecodeBaseType.FPS100

Project timecodeDisplayType attribute

app.project.timecodeDisplayType

doShow When true, show the Project panel. When false, hide the Project panel.

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Description

The way in which timecode is set to display, as set in the Project Settings dialog box.

Type

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

TimecodeDisplayType.TIMECODE

TimecodeDisplayType.FRAMES

TimecodeDisplayType.FEET_AND_FRAMES

Project timecodeFilmType attribute

app.project.timecodeFilmType

Description

The film type, as set in the Feet + Frames option in the Project Settings dialog box.

Type

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

TimecodeFilmType.MM16

TimecodeFilmType.MM35

Project timecodeNTSCDropFrame attribute

app.project.timecodeNTSCDropFrame

Description

How timecode for 29.97 fps footage is displayed, as set in the Project Settings dialog box under NTSC.

Type

Boolean, true for the Drop Frame option, false for the Non-Drop Frame option; read/write.

Project transparencyGridThumbnails attribute

app.project.transparencyGridThumbnails

Description

When true, thumbnail views use the transparency checkerboard pattern.

Type

Boolean; read/write.

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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 140 and “PropertyGroup

property() method” on page 149.

•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 140.

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 131

Type of value stored in this property.

value “Property value attribute” on page 138 Current value of the property.

hasMin “Property hasMin attribute” on

page 123

When true, there is a minimum permitted value.

hasMax “Property hasMax attribute” on

page 123

When true, there is a maximum permitted value.

minValue “Property minValue attribute” on

page 130

The minimum permitted value.

maxValue “Property maxValue attribute” on

page 130

The maximum permitted value.

isSpatial “Property isSpatial attribute” on

page 124

When true, the property defines a spatial value.

canVaryOverTime “Property canVaryOverTime attribute”

on page 122

When true, the property can be keyframed.

isTimeVarying “Property isTimeVarying attribute” on

page 124

When true, the property has keyframes or an

expression enabled that can vary its values.

numKeys “Property numKeys attribute” on

page 131

The number of keyframes on this property.

unitsText “Property unitsText attribute” on

page 138

A text description of the units in which the value is

expressed.

expression “Property expression attribute” on

page 122

The expression string for this property.

canSetExpression “Property canSetExpression attribute”

on page 122

When true, the expression can be set by a script.

expressionEnabled “Property expressionEnabled attribute”

on page 123

When true, the expression is used to generate val-

ues for the property.

expressionError “Property expressionError attribute” on

page 123

The error, if any, that occurred when the last expres-

sion was evaluated.

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Methods

keyframeInterpolationType “Property keyframeInterpolationType

attribute” on page 124

The type of interpolation used at a keyframe.

selectedKeys “Property selectedKeys attribute” on

page 133

All selected keyframes of the property.

propertyIndex “Property propertyIndex attribute” on

page 131

The position index of this property.

Method Reference Description

valueAtTime() “Property valueAtTime() method” on

page 139

Gets the value of the property evalu-

ated at given time.

setValue() “Property setValue() method” on page 137 Sets the static value of the property.

setValueAtTime() “Property setValueAtTime() method” on

page 137

Creates a keyframe for the property.

setValuesAtTimes() “Property setValuesAtTimes() method” on

page 138

Creates a set of keyframes for the prop-

erty.

setValueAtKey() “Property setValueAtKey() method” on

page 137

Finds a keyframe and sets the value of

the property at that keyframe.

nearestKeyIndex() “Property nearestKeyIndex() method” on

page 131

Gets the keyframe nearest to a specified

time.

keyTime() “Property keyTime() method” on page 129 Gets the time at which a condition

occurs.

keyValue() “Property keyValue() method” on page 130 Gets the value of a keyframe at the time

at which a condition occurs.

addKey() “Property addKey() method” on page 122 Adds a new keyframe to the property at

a given time.

removeKey() “Property removeKey() method” on

page 132

Removes a keyframe from the property.

isInterpolationTypeValid() “Property isInterpolationTypeValid()

method” on page 124

When true, this property can be inter-

polated.

setInterpolationTypeAtKey() “Property setInterpolationTypeAtKey()

method” on page 133

Sets the interpolation type for a key.

keyInInterpolationType() “Property keyInInterpolationType() method”

on page 125

Gets the 'in' interpolation type for a key.

keyOutInterpolationType() “Property keyOutInterpolationType()

method” on page 126

Gets the 'out' interpolation type for a

key.

setSpatialTangentsAtKey() “Property setSpatialTangentsAtKey()

method” on page 135

Sets the “in” and “out” tangent vectors

for a key.

keyInSpatialTangent() “Property keyInSpatialTangent() method” on

page 125

Gets the “in” spatial tangent for a key.

keyOutSpatialTangent() “Property keyOutSpatialTangent() method”

on page 126

Gets the “out” spatial tangent for a key.

setTemporalEaseAtKey() “Property setTemporalEaseAtKey() method”

on page 136

Sets the “in” and “out” temporal ease for

a key.

Attribute Reference Description

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120

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(0.5);

// Variable myOpacity is a float value

var myOpacity = myProperty.value;

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;

keyInTemporalEase() “Property keyInTemporalEase() method” on

page 126

Gets the “in” temporal ease for a key.

keyOutTemporalEase() “Property keyOutTemporalEase() method”

on page 127

Gets the “out” temporal ease for a key.

setTemporalContinuousAtKey() “Property setTemporalContinuousAtKey()

method” on page 136

Sets whether a keyframe has temporal

continuity.

keyTemporalContinuous() “Property keyTemporalContinuous()

method” on page 129

Reports whether a keyframe has tem-

poral continuity.

setTemporalAutoBezierAtKey() “Property setTemporalAutoBezierAtKey()

method” on page 135

Sets whether a keyframe has temporal

auto-Bezier.

keyTemporalAutoBezier() “Property keyTemporalAutoBezier()

method” on page 129

Reports whether a keyframe has tem-

poral auto-Bezier.

setSpatialContinuousAtKey() “Property setSpatialContinuousAtKey()

method” on page 134

Sets whether a keyframe has spatial

continuity.

keySpatialContinuous() “Property keySpatialContinuous() method”

on page 128

Reports whether a keyframe has spatial

continuity.

setSpatialAutoBezierAtKey “Property setSpatialAutoBezierAtKey()

method” on page 134

Sets whether a keyframe has spatial

auto-Bezier.

keySpatialAutoBezier() “Property keySpatialAutoBezier() method”

on page 128

Reports whether a keyframe has spatial

auto-Bezier.

setRovingAtKey() “Property setRovingAtKey() method” on

page 133

Sets whether a keyframe is roving.

keyRoving() “Property keyRoving() method” on page 127 Reports whether a keyframe is roving.

setSelectedAtKey() “Property setSelectedAtKey() method” on

page 134

Sets whether a keyframe is selected.

keySelected() “Property keySelected() method” on

page 128

Reports whether a keyframe is selected.

Method Reference Description

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121

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 {

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

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122

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 122.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

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 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.

time The time, in seconds, at which to add the keyframe. A floating-point value. The beginning of the composition is 0.

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123

•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.

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 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.

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124

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 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 keyframeInterpolationType attribute

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

Description

The type of interpolation used at a keyframe.

type A KeyframeInterpolationType enumerated value; one of:

KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER

KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD

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Type

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

KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER

KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD

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 spacial (that is, the

value type is TwoD_SPATIAL or ThreeD_SPATIAL).

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.

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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Property keyInTemporalEase() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.vkeyInTemporalEase(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_SPATIAL, the array contains 2 objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL, 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

Property keyOutSpatialTangent() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyOutSpatialTangent(keyIndex)

Description

Returns the outgoing spatial tangent for the specified keyframe.

Parameters

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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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_SPATIAL, the array contains 2 objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL, 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.

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

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 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.

Parameters

Returns

Boolean.

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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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 keyframeInterpolationType is KeyframeIn-

terpolationType.BEZIER for both keyInInterpolation(keyIndex) and keyOutInterpolation(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 keyframeInterpolationType is KeyframeInterpola-

tionType.BEZIER for both keyInInterpolation(keyIndex) and keyOutInterpolation(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.

If no keyframe or marker can be found that matches the argument, this method generates an exception, and

an error is displayed.

Parameters

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 near-

estKeyIndex method.

markerComment The comment string attached to a marker (see “MarkerValue comment attribute” on page 99).

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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.

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.

Type

Floating-point value; read-only.

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 99).

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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]);

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();

time The time in seconds; a floating-point value. The beginning of the composition is 0.

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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

Returns

Nothing.

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 Unimplemented type; you cannot get or set values for properties with this

type.

PropertyValueType.MARKER MarkerValue object; see “MarkerValue object” on page 98.

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 164.

PropertyValueType.TEXT_DOCUMENT TextDocument object; see “TextDocument object” on page 171.

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 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 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.

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

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.

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Returns

Nothing.

Property setSelectedAtKey() method

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setSelectedAtKey(keyIndex, onOff)

Description

Selects or deselects the specified keyframe.

Parameters

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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 KeyframeInterpolationType is

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER for both keyInInterpolation(keyIndex) and keyOutInterpo-

lation(keyIndex).

Parameters

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 81.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

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.

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_SPATIAL, the array contains 2

objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL, 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 inTempo-

ralEase value. An array of 1, 2, or 3 KeyframeEase objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.TwoD_SPATIAL, the array contains 2

objects.

•If the property value type is PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL, the array contains 3

objects.

•For all other value types, the array contains 1 object.

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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 displayes an error. To set the

value of a property with keyframes, use “Property setValueAtTime() method” on page 137 or “Property

setValueAtKey() method” on page 137.

Parameters

Returns

Nothing.

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

newValue A value appropriate for the type of property being set; see “Property propertyValueType attribute” on page 131.

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 131.

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

attribute” on page 131.

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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

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 118.

Type

A value appropriate for the type of the property (see “Property propertyValueType attribute” on page 131);

read-only.

times An array of times, in seconds. Each time is a floating-point value. The beginning of the compo-

sition is 0.

newValues A array of values appropriate for the type of property being set; see “Property propertyValue-

Type attribute” on page 131.

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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

Returns

A value appropriate for the type of the property (see “Property propertyValueType attribute” on page 131).

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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140

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 149.

•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 118 and “PropertyGroup object” on page 147.

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 144

Name of the property.

matchName “PropertyBase matchName attribute”

on page 143

A special name for the property used to build unique naming paths.

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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. For an effect

and all properties, it is the same as the enabled attribute.

Type

Boolean; read/write if canSetEnabled is true, read-only if canSetEnabled is false.

propertyIndex “PropertyBase propertyIndex attribute”

on page 145

Index of this property within its parent group.

propertyDepth “PropertyBase propertyDepth attribute”

on page 144

The number of levels of parent groups between this property and

the containing layer.

propertyType “PropertyBase propertyType attribute”

on page 145

The property type.

parentProperty “PropertyBase parentProperty

attribute” on page 144

The immediate parent group of this property.

isModified “PropertyBase isModified attribute” on

page 143

When true, the property has been changed since its creation.

canSetEnabled “PropertyBase canSetEnabled attribute”

on page 142

When true, the user interface displays an eyeball icon for this prop-

erty.

enabled “PropertyBase enabled attribute” on

page 143

When true, this property is enabled.

active “PropertyBase active attribute” on

page 141

When true, this property is active.

elided “PropertyBase elided attribute” on

page 142

When true, this property is not displayed in the user interface.

isEffect “PropertyBase isEffect attribute” on

page 143

When true, this property is an effect.

isMask “PropertyBase isMask attribute” on

page 143

When true, this property is a mask.

selected “PropertyBase selected attribute” on

page 146

When true, this property is selected.

Method Reference Description

propertyGroup() “PropertyBase propertyGroup()

method” on page 145

Gets the parent group for this property.

remove() “PropertyBase remove() method” on

page 146

Removes this from the project.

moveTo() “PropertyBase moveTo() method” on

page 144

Moves this property to a new position in its parent group.

duplicate() “PropertyBase duplicate() method” on

page 142

Duplicates this property object.

Attribute Reference Description

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142

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 145.

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.

Type

Boolean; read-only.

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143

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.

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.

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144

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 145.)

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 145.)

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 143.)

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 145).

Type

String; read/write for a child of an indexed group; otherwise read-only.

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

newIndex The new index position at which to place this property in its group. An integer.

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145

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 145).

Type

Integer; read-only.

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:

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.

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.

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146

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 145.)

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 for an effect or mask property group, otherwise read-only.

PropertyType.NAMED_GROUP A property group in which the member names are not editable. Layers are

named groups.

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147

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 145.

For examples of how to access properties and property groups, see “PropertyBase object” on page 140.

•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 140.

•PropertyGroup is a base class for MaskPropertyGroup. PropertyGroup attributes and methods are available

when working with mask groups. See “MaskPropertyGroup object” on page 102.

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 145) 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 148.)

Attribute Reference Description

numProperties “PropertyGroup numProperties attribute” on page 148 The number of indexed properties in the group.

Method Reference Description

property() “PropertyGroup property() method” on

page 149

Gets a member property or group.

canAddProperty() “PropertyGroup canAddProperty() method”

on page 148

Reports whether a property can be added to the group.

addProperty() “PropertyGroup addProperty() method” on

page 147

Adds a property to the group.

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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 149.

Type

Integer; read-only.

name The display name or match name of the property to add. (See “PropertyBase matchName attribute” on page 143).

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 147).

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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”

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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"

• "Shininess" or "shininess"

• "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”

• "ADBE Mask Feather", or “maskFeather”

• "ADBE Mask Opacity", or “maskOpacity”

• "ADBE Mask Offset", or “maskOffset”

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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”);

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JavaScript Reference RenderQueue object

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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 155.

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 154 When true, a render is in progress.

numItems “RenderQueue numItems attribute” on page 153 The total number of items in the render queue.

items “RenderQueue items attribute” on page 153 The collection of items in the render queue.

Method Reference Description

showWindow() “RenderQueue showWindow() method”

on page 154

Show or hides the Render Queue panel.

render() “RenderQueue render() method” on

page 153

Starts the rendering process; does not return until render is

complete.

pauseRendering() “RenderQueue pauseRendering()

method” on page 153

Pauses or restarts the rendering process.

stopRendering() “RenderQueue stopRendering()

method” on page 154

Stops the rendering process.

item() “RenderQueue Item() method” on

page 152

Gets a render-queue item from the collection.

index The position index of the item. An integer in the range [0..numItems].

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RenderQueue items attribute

app.project.renderQueue.items

Description

A collection of all items in the render queue. See “RenderQueueItem object” on page 155.

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 157 and “Application onError

attribute” on page 26.

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 26.

•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 157.

pause True to pause a current render process, false to continue a paused render.

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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 157 and “Application onError attribute” on page 26.

Parameters

None.

Returns

Nothing.

doShow When true, show the Render Queue panel. When false, hide it.

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RenderQueueItem object

app.project.renderQueue.items(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 161.

Attributes

Methods

Attribute Reference Description

numOutputModules “RenderQueueItem numOutputModules

attribute” on page 157

The total number of Output Modules assigned to the

item.

render “RenderQueueItem render attribute” on

page 158

When true, this item is rendered when the queue is

started.

startTime “RenderQueueItem startTime attribute” on

page 159

The time when rendering began for the item.

elapsedSeconds “RenderQueueItem elapsedSeconds

attribute” on page 156

The time elapsed in the current rendering of this item.

timeSpanStart “RenderQueueItem timeSpanStart

attribute” on page 160

The start time in the composition to be rendered.

timeSpanDuration “RenderQueueItem timeSpanDuration

attribute” on page 160

The duration of the composition to be rendered.

skipFrames “RenderQueueItem skipFrames attribute”

on page 159

The number of frames to skip when rendering this item.

comp “RenderQueueItem comp attribute” on

page 156

The composition to be rendered by this item.

outputModules “RenderQueueItem outputModules

attribute” on page 158

The collection of Output Modules for this item.

templates “RenderQueueItem templates attribute” on

page 160

A set of Render Settings templates.

status “RenderQueueItem status attribute” on

page 159

The current rendering status of the item.

onStatusChanged “RenderQueueItem onStatusChanged

attribute” on page 157

A callback function that is called during the rendering

process when the status of the item changes.

logType “RenderQueueItem logType attribute” on

page 157

A log type for this item.

Method Reference Description

outputModule() “RenderQueueItem outputModule() method” on

page 158

Gets an Output Module for the item.

remove() “RenderQueueItem remove() method” on page 158 Removes the item from the render queue.

saveAsTemplate() “RenderQueueItem saveAsTemplate() method” on

page 159

Saves a new Render Settings template.

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JavaScript Reference RenderQueueItem object

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RenderQueueItem applyTemplate() method

app.project.renderQueue.item.applyTemplate(templateName)

Description

Applies a Render Settings template to the item. See also “RenderQueueItem saveAsTemplate() method” on

page 159 and “RenderQueueItem templates attribute” on page 160.

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.

Parameters

None.

Returns

RenderQueueItem object.

RenderQueueItem elapsedSeconds attribute

app.project.renderQueue.item(index).elapsedSeconds

applyTemplate() “RenderQueueItem applyTemplate() method” on

page 156

Applies a Render Settings template.

duplicate “RenderQueueItem duplicate() method” on page 156 Duplicates this item.

templateName A string containing the name of the template to apply.

Method Reference Description

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JavaScript Reference RenderQueueItem object

157

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).outputModule.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 159.

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 153 and “RenderQueue stopRendering() method” on page 154.

See also “Application onError attribute” on page 26.

Type

A function name string, or null if no function is assigned.

Example

function myStatusChanged() {

alert(app.project.renderQueue.item(1).status)

}

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JavaScript Reference RenderQueueItem object

158

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].

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159

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.

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160

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 saveAsTemplate()

method” on page 159.

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.

161

JavaScript Reference RQItemCollection object

161

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 155

•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 161 Adds a composition to the Render Queue.

comp The CompItem object for the composition to be added.

162

JavaScript Reference Settings object

162

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 163 Saves a default value for a setting.

getSetting() “Settings getSetting() method” on page 162 Retrieves a setting value.

haveSetting() “Settings haveSetting() method” on page 162 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.

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163

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.

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JavaScript Reference Shape object

164

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 103.) 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.

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;

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;

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Attributes

Shape closed attribute

shapeObject.value.closed

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 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.

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.

Attribute Reference Description

closed “Shape closed attribute” on page 165 When true, the shape is a closed curve.

vertices “Shape vertices attribute” on page 166 The anchor points of the shape.

inTangents “Shape inTangents attribute” on page 165 The tangent vectors coming into the shape vertices.

outTangents “Shape outTangents attribute” on page 165 The tangent vectors coming out of the shape vertices.

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166

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.

167

JavaScript Reference ShapeLayer object

167

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 94. 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 83 and “AVLayer object” on

page 39.

168

JavaScript Reference SolidSource object

168

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 67.

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 168 The color of the solid.

169

JavaScript Reference System object

169

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.

System machineName attribute

system.machineName

Attribute Reference Description

userName “System userName attribute” on page 170 The current user name.

machineName “System machineName attribute” on page 169 The name of the host computer.

osName “System osName attribute” on page 170 The name of the operating system.

osVersion “System osVersion attribute” on page 170 The version of the operating system.

Method Reference Description

callSystem() “System callSystem() method” on page 169 Execute’s a command on the system’s command line.

cmdLineToExecute A string containing the command and its parameters.

170

JavaScript Reference System object

170

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.

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.

171

JavaScript Reference TextDocument object

171

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 myTextDocument = new TextDocument("Happy Cake");

myTextLayer.property("Source Text").setValue(myTextDocument);

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!"));

Attributes

TextDocument text attribute

textDocument.text

Description

The text value for the text layer’s Source Text property.

Type

String; read/write.

Attribute Reference Description

text “TextDocument text attribute” on page 171 The text layer’s Source Text value.

172

JavaScript Reference TextLayer object

172

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 95. 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 83 and “AVLayer object” on

page 39.

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

173

Examples

This section describes sample scripts that are included on your DVD, 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 Studio Exchange at

http://share.studio.adobe.com, and choose Script in the Adobe After Effects section.

Save and increment

This script, save_and_increment.jsx, automatically saves a new copy of the open After Effects project and

increments a three-digit number in its name to distinguish it from previous versions of the project.

Note: Although much of the functionality of this script has been superseded by the incremental save feature that was

introduced in After Effects 6.5, it is still included here because it makes effective use of conditionals, functions, and

the ExtendScript File object.

This script does the following:

•Determines whether the currently open project has ever been saved. If the project has not been saved, pops

up an alert telling the user to save the project, and ends.

•If the project has been saved at least once before, defines variables for the name of the file and the numbering

and file extension that we plan to add to it.

•Checks to see if there is an underscore character four characters from the end of the current file name. If

there is, assume that the incrementer has run before and increment the current numerical string, then

extract the name without the numerical extension.

•An incrementer loop tests for whether the numbering has extended to two or three digits (for example, if

the numbering has reached “_010” or above, or “_100” or above), assigning a zero for each if not.

•Creates a new file using the updated name and extension, and displays an alert letting the user know the new

file name being saved.

•Saves the project with the new file name.

174

Examples Render named items

174

Render named items

This script, renderNamedItems.jsx, finds compositions in the open project with a particular text string in

their names and sends all such compositions to the render queue.

This script does the following:

•Checks to see if a default string for rendering has already been set in the user preferences. If so, set this as a

user prompt. This is handy if you’re always looking for the same string (for example, “FINAL” or

“CURRENT”). If not, we set a new sectionName and keyName in the preferences file, along with a place-

holder value for the string that will be entered by the user.

•Display a prompt to the user asking for a text string to use.

•Goes through the project looking for the text entered by the user, and checks if the item that contains that

text is a composition. Sends all matching compositions to the render queue.

•If the user cancels, the text is undefined. Otherwise, saves the new setting in preferences, converting it to all

lowercase letters for consistency (although the search is not case sensitive).

•Makes the Render Queue panel visible and bring it to the front, ready for the user to assign save locations

for the new render queue items.

New render locations

This script, newRenderLocations.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, smartImport.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

175

Examples Render and e-mail

175

files to save processing time.

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 email_setup.jsx (which establishes the sender, recipient, and e-mail server).

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 email_setup.jsx script,

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 3 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.

176

Examples Convert selected properties to markers

176

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.

177

After Effects Object Summary

This code dump summarizes all public JavaScript objects (instantiable classes) and enumerated types defined

for After Effects CS3.

========================================================================

AlphaMode enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

AlphaMode.IGNORE

AlphaMode.PREMULTIPLIED

AlphaMode.STRAIGHT

========================================================================

Application object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

activate() no return

beginSuppressDialogs() no return

beginUndoGroup(string undoName) no return

buildName : string : readOnly

buildNumber : integer : readOnly

cancelTask(integer taskID) no return

endSuppressDialogs(boolean showAlert) no return

endUndoGroup() no return

endWatchFolder() no return

exitAfterLaunchAndEval : boolean : read/write

exitCode : integer : read/write

findMenuCommandId() returns integer

isProfessionalVersion : boolean : readOnly

isRenderEngine : boolean : readOnly

isUISuppressed : boolean : readOnly

isWatchFolder : boolean : readOnly

language : Language : readOnly

memoryInUse : number : readOnly

newProject() no return

open([File file]) returns Project

openTemplate(File fileToOpenWithTemplateSemantics) no return

parseSwatchFile(File swatchFile) returns SwatchObject

pauseWatchFolder(boolean doPause) no return

project : Project : readOnly

purge(PurgeTarget target) no return

quit() no return

saveProjectOnCrash : boolean : read/write

scheduleTask(stringToExecute, float delay, boolean repeat) returns taskID

setMemoryUsageLimits(float imageCachePercent, float maximumMemoryPercent) no return

setSavePreferencesOnQuit(boolean doSave) no return

settings : Settings : readOnly

178

After Effects Object Summary

178

version : string : readOnly

watchFolder(File file) no return

onError(string errorString, string severity) no return

=======================================================================

AVLayer object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(integer propertyIndex) returns PropertyBase

(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

active : boolean : readOnly

activeAtTime(float atTime) returns boolean

addProperty(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

adjustmentLayer : boolean : read/write

applyPreset(string presetName) no return

audioActive : boolean : readOnly

audioActiveAtTime(float atTime) returns boolean

audioEnabled : boolean : read/write

autoOrient : AutoOrientType : read/write

blendingMode : BlendingMode : read/write

calculateTransformFromPoints(Array [top,left], Array [top,right], Array [bottom,right])

returns Object with transform properties set

canAddProperty(string propertyName) returns boolean

canSetCollapseTransformation : boolean : readOnly

canSetEnabled : boolean : readOnly

canSetTimeRemapEnabled : boolean : readOnly

collapseTransformation : boolean : read/write

comment : string : read/write

containingComp : CompItem : readOnly

copyToComp(CompItem intoComp) no return

duplicate() returns AVLayer

effectsActive : boolean : read/write

elided : boolean : readOnly

enabled : boolean : read/write

frameBlending : boolean : readOnly

frameBlendingType : FrameBlendingType : read/write

guideLayer : boolean : read/write

hasAudio : boolean : readOnly

hasTrackMatte : boolean : readOnly

hasVideo : boolean : readOnly

height : float : readOnly

inPoint : float : read/write

index : integer : readOnly

isEffect : boolean : readOnly

isMask : boolean : readOnly

isModified : boolean : readOnly

isNameFromSource : boolean : readOnly

isNameSet : boolean : readOnly

isTrackMatte : boolean : readOnly

locked : boolean : read/write

matchName : string : readOnly

motionBlur : boolean : read/write

moveAfter(Layer otherLayer) no return

179

After Effects Object Summary

179

moveBefore(Layer otherLayer) no return

moveTo(integer index) no return

moveToBeginning() no return

moveToEnd() no return

name : string : read/write

nullLayer : boolean : readOnly

numProperties : integer : readOnly

outPoint : float : read/write

parent : Layer : read/write

parentProperty : PropertyGroup : readOnly

preserveTransparency : boolean : read/write

property(integer propertyIndex) returns PropertyBase

property(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

propertyDepth : integer : readOnly

propertyGroup([integer countUp]) returns PropertyGroup

propertyType : PropertyType : readOnly

quality : LayerQuality : read/write

remove() no return

replaceSource(Item newSource, boolean fixExpressions) no return

selected : boolean : read/write

selectedProperties : Array of PropertyBase: readOnly

setParentWithJump(Layer newParent) no return

shy : boolean : read/write

solo : boolean : read/write

source : AVItem : readOnly

sourceRectAtTime(float atTime, boolean includeExtents)

returns Object with float properties: top; left; width; height

startTime : float : read/write

stretch : float : read/write

threeDLayer : boolean : read/write

threeDPerChar : boolean : read/write

time : float : readOnly

timeRemapEnabled : boolean : read/write

trackMatteType : TrackMatteType : read/write

width : float : readOnly

=======================================================================

BlendingMode enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

180

After Effects Object Summary

180

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

=======================================================================

CloseOptions enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

CloseOptions.DO_NOT_SAVE_CHANGES

CloseOptions.PROMPT_TO_SAVE_CHANGES

CloseOptions.SAVE_CHANGES

=======================================================================

CompItem object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

activeCamera : Layer : readOnly

applyPreset(string presetName) no return

bgColor : Array of float : read/write

comment : string : read/write

displayStartTime : float : read/write

draft3d : boolean : read/write

duplicate() returns CompItem

duration : float : read/write

footageMissing : boolean : readOnly

frameBlending : boolean : read/write

frameDuration : float : read/write

frameRate : float : read/write

hasAudio : boolean : readOnly

hasVideo : boolean : readOnly

height : integer : read/write

hideShyLayers : boolean : read/write

id : integer : readOnly

layer(integer layerIndex) returns Layer

layer(string layerName) returns Layer

181

After Effects Object Summary

181

layer(Layer otherLayer, integer relativeIndex) returns Layer

layers : LayerCollection: readOnly

motionBlur : boolean : read/write

name : string : read/write

numLayers : integer : readOnly

parentFolder : FolderItem : read/write

pixelAspect : float : read/write

preserveNestedFrameRate : boolean : read/write

preserveNestedResolution : boolean : read/write

proxySource : FootageSource : readOnly

remove() no return

renderer : string : read/write

renderers : Array of string: readOnly

resolutionFactor : Array of integer : read/write

selected : boolean : read/write

selectedLayers : Array of Layer : readOnly

selectedProperties : Array of PropertyBase: readOnly

setProxy(File proxyFile) no return

setProxyToNone() no return

setProxyWithPlaceholder(string name, integer width, integer height, float frameRate, float duration)

no return

setProxyWithSequence(File proxyFile, boolean forceAlphabetical) no return

setProxyWithSolid(ArrayOfFloat color, string name, integer width, integer height,

float pixelAspecRatio) no return

shutterAngle : integer : read/write

shutterPhase : integer : read/write

time : float : read/write

typeName : string : readOnly

useProxy : boolean : read/write

usedIn : Array of CompItem : readOnly

width : integer : read/write

workAreaDuration : float : read/write

workAreaStart : float : read/write

=======================================================================

FieldSeparationType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FieldSeparationType.LOWER_FIELD_FIRST

FieldSeparationType.OFF

FieldSeparationType.UPPER_FIELD_FIRST

=======================================================================

FileSource object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

alphaMode : AlphaMode : read/write

conformFrameRate : float : read/write

displayFrameRate : float : readOnly

fieldSeparationType : FieldSeparationType : readOnly

file : File : readOnly

guessAlphaMode() no return

guessPulldown(PulldownMethod pulldownMethod) no return

hasAlpha : boolean : readOnly

highQualityFieldSeparation : boolean : read/write

182

After Effects Object Summary

182

invertAlpha : boolean : read/write

isStill : boolean : readOnly

loop : integer : read/write

missingFootagePath : string : readOnly

nativeFrameRate : float : readOnly

premulColor : Array of float : read/write

reload() no return

removePulldown : PulldownPhase : readOnly

======================================================================

FolderItem object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

comment : string : read/write

id : integer : readOnly

item(integer itemIndex) returns Item

items : ItemCollection : readOnly

name : string : read/write

numItems : integer : readOnly

parentFolder : FolderItem : read/write

remove() no return

selected : boolean : read/write

typeName : string : readOnly

=======================================================================

FootageItem object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

comment : string : read/write

duration : float : readOnly

file : File : readOnly

footageMissing : boolean : readOnly

frameDuration : float : readOnly

frameRate : float : readOnly

hasAudio : boolean : readOnly

hasVideo : boolean : readOnly

height : integer : read/write

id : integer : readOnly

mainSource : FootageSource : readOnly

name : string : read/write

parentFolder : FolderItem : read/write

pixelAspect : float : read/write

proxySource : FootageSource : readOnly

remove() no return

replace(File proxyFile) no return

replaceWithPlaceholder(string name, integer width, integer height, float frameRate, float duration)

no return

replaceWithSequence(File proxyFile, boolean forceAlphabetical) no return

replaceWithSolid(ArrayOfFloat color, string name, integer width, integer height, float pixelAspecRatio)

no return

selected : boolean : read/write

setProxy(File proxyFile) no return

setProxyToNone() no return

setProxyWithPlaceholder(string name, integer width, integer height, float frameRate, float duration)

no return

183

After Effects Object Summary

183

setProxyWithSequence(File proxyFile, boolean forceAlphabetical) no return

setProxyWithSolid(ArrayOfFloat color, string name, integer width, integer height,

float pixelAspecRatio) no return

time : float : readOnly

typeName : string : readOnly

useProxy : boolean : read/write

usedIn : Array of CompItem : readOnly

width : integer : read/write

=======================================================================

ImportAsType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

ImportAsType.COMP

ImportAsType.COMP_CROPPED_LAYERS

ImportAsType.FOOTAGE

ImportAsType.PROJECT

=======================================================================

ImportOptions object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

new ImportOptions(File fileToImport) returns ImportOptions

canImportAs(ImportAsType asType) returns boolean

file : File : read/write

forceAlphabetical : boolean : read/write

importAs : ImportAsType : read/write

sequence : boolean : read/write

=======================================================================

ItemCollection object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

addComp(string name, integer width, integer height, float pixelAspectRatio, float duration,

float frameRate) returns CompItem

addFolder(string name) returns FolderItem

=======================================================================

KeyframeEase object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

new KeyframeEase(float speed, float influence) returns KeyframeEase

influence : float : read/write

speed : float : read/write

=======================================================================

KeyframeInterpolationType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

KeyframeInterpolationType.BEZIER

KeyframeInterpolationType.HOLD

KeyframeInterpolationType.LINEAR

======================================================================

Language enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Language.ENGLISH

Language.FRENCH

Language.GERMAN

Language.ITALIAN

Language.JAPANESE

Language.SPANISH

184

After Effects Object Summary

184

======================================================================

CameraLayer object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(integer propertyIndex) returns PropertyBase

(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

active : boolean : readOnly

activeAtTime(float atTime) returns boolean

addProperty(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

adjustmentLayer : boolean : readOnly

applyPreset(string presetName) no return

autoOrient : AutoOrientType : read/write

canAddProperty(string propertyName) returns boolean

canSetEnabled : boolean : readOnly

comment : string : read/write

containingComp : CompItem : readOnly

copyToComp(CompItem intoComp) no return

duplicate() returns CameraLayer

elided : boolean : readOnly

enabled : boolean : read/write

hasVideo : boolean : readOnly

inPoint : float : read/write

index : integer : readOnly

isEffect : boolean : readOnly

isMask : boolean : readOnly

isModified : boolean : readOnly

isNameSet : boolean : readOnly

locked : boolean : read/write

matchName : string : readOnly

moveAfter(Layer otherLayer) no return

moveBefore(Layer otherLayer) no return

moveTo(integer index) no return

moveToBeginning() no return

moveToEnd() no return

name : string : read/write

nullLayer : boolean : readOnly

numProperties : integer : readOnly

outPoint : float : read/write

parent : Layer : read/write

parentProperty : PropertyGroup : readOnly

property(integer propertyIndex) returns PropertyBase

property(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

propertyDepth : integer : readOnly

propertyGroup([integer countUp]) returns PropertyGroup

propertyType : PropertyType : readOnly

remove() no return

selected : boolean : read/write

selectedProperties : Array of PropertyBase: readOnly

setParentWithJump(Layer newParent) no return

shy : boolean : read/write

solo : boolean : read/write

startTime : float : read/write

185

After Effects Object Summary

185

stretch : float : read/write

time : float : readOnly

======================================================================

LayerCollection object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

add(AVItem theItem,

[float duration]) returns AVLayer

addCamera(string name,

ArrayOfFloat centerPoint) returns Layer

addLight(string name,

ArrayOfFloat centerPoint) returns Layer

addNull([float duration]) returns AVLayer

addShape() returns Layer

addSolid(ArrayOfFloat color, string name, integer width, integer height, float pixelAspectRatio,

[float duration]) returns AVLayer

addText([TextDocument textDoc]) returns AVLayer

addText(string text) returns AVLayer

byName(string name) returns Layer

precompose(ArrayOfInteger layerIndices, string name, [boolean moveAllAttributes])

returns CompItem

======================================================================

LayerQuality enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

LayerQuality.BEST

LayerQuality.DRAFT

LayerQuality.WIREFRAME

====================================================================

LogType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

LogType.ERRORS_AND_PER_FRAME_INFO

LogType.ERRORS_AND_SETTINGS

LogType.ERRORS_ONLY

======================================================================

MarkerValue object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

new MarkerValue(string comment, [string chapter], [string url], [string frameTarget])

returns MarkerValue

chapter : string : read/write

comment : string : read/write

cuePointName : string : read/write

eventCuePoint : boolean : read/write

frameTarget : string : read/write

getParameters() returns object with properties set

setParameters(Object keyValuePairs) no return

url : string : read/write

=====================================================================

MaskMode enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MaskMode.ADD

MaskMode.DARKEN

MaskMode.DIFFERENCE

186

After Effects Object Summary

186

MaskMode.INTERSECT

MaskMode.LIGHTEN

MaskMode.NONE

MaskMode.SUBTRACT

=====================================================================

MaskMotionBlur enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

MaskMotionBlur.OFF

MaskMotionBlur.ON

MaskMotionBlur.SAME_AS_LAYER

=====================================================================

MaskPropertyGroup object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(integer propertyIndex) returns PropertyBase

(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

active : boolean : readOnly

addProperty(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

canAddProperty(string propertyName) returns boolean

canSetEnabled : boolean : readOnly

color : Array of float : read/write

duplicate() returns MaskPropertyGroup

elided : boolean : readOnly

enabled : boolean : readOnly

inverted : boolean : read/write

isEffect : boolean : readOnly

isMask : boolean : readOnly

isModified : boolean : readOnly

locked : boolean : read/write

maskMode : MaskMode : read/write

maskMotionBlur : MaskMotionBlur : read/write

matchName : string : readOnly

moveTo(integer index) no return

name : string : read/write

numProperties : integer : readOnly

parentProperty : PropertyGroup : readOnly

property(integer propertyIndex) returns PropertyBase

property(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

propertyDepth : integer : readOnly

propertyGroup([integer countUp]) returns PropertyGroup

propertyIndex : integer : readOnly

propertyType : PropertyType : readOnly

remove() no return

rotoBezier : boolean : read/write

selected : boolean : read/write

=================================================================

OMCollection object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

add() returns OutputModule

=====================================================================

OutputModule object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

187

After Effects Object Summary

187

applyTemplate(string templateName) no return

file : File : read/write

name : string : readOnly

postRenderAction : PostRenderAction : read/write

remove() no return

saveAsTemplate(string templateName) no return

templates : Array of string: readOnly

=====================================================================

PlaceholderSource object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

alphaMode : AlphaMode : read/write

conformFrameRate : float : read/write

displayFrameRate : float : readOnly

fieldSeparationType : FieldSeparationType : read/write

guessAlphaMode() no return

guessPulldown(PulldownMethod pulldownMethod) no return

hasAlpha : boolean : readOnly

highQualityFieldSeparation : boolean : read/write

invertAlpha : boolean : read/write

isStill : boolean : readOnly

loop : integer : read/write

nativeFrameRate : float : readOnly

premulColor : Array of float : read/write

removePulldown : PulldownPhase : read/write

====================================================================

PostRenderAction enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

PostRenderAction.IMPORT

PostRenderAction.IMPORT_AND_REPLACE_USAGE

PostRenderAction.NONE

PostRenderAction.SET_PROXY

=====================================================================

Project object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

activeItem : Item : readOnly

autoFixExpressions(oldText,

newText) no return

bitsPerChannel : integer : read/write

close(CloseOptions closeOptions) returns boolean

consolidateFootage() returns integer

displayStartFrame : integer : read/write

file : File : readOnly

importFile(ImportOptions importOptions) returns Item

importFileWithDialog() returns ArrayOfItem

importPlaceholder(string itemName, integer itemWidth, integer itemHeight, float frameRate,

float duration) returns FootageItem

item(integer itemIndex) returns Item

items : ItemCollection : readOnly

linearBlending : boolean : read/write

numItems : integer : readOnly

reduceProject(ArrayOfItem itemsToPreserve) returns integer

188

After Effects Object Summary

188

removeUnusedFootage() returns integer

renderQueue : RenderQueue : readOnly

rootFolder : FolderItem : readOnly

save(File toFile) returns boolean

saveWithDialog() returns boolean

selection : Array of Item : readOnly

showWindow(boolean doShow) no return

timecodeBaseType : TimecodeBaseType : read/write

timecodeDisplayType : TimecodeDisplayType : read/write

timecodeFilmType : TimecodeFilmType : read/write

timecodeNTSCDropFrame : boolean : read/write

transparencyGridThumbnails : boolean : read/write

=====================================================================

Property object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

active : boolean : readOnly

addKey(float atTime) returns integer

canSetEnabled : boolean : readOnly

canSetExpression : boolean : readOnly

canVaryOverTime : boolean : readOnly

duplicate() returns Property

elided : boolean : readOnly

enabled : boolean : readOnly

expression : string : read/write

expressionEnabled : boolean : read/write

expressionError : string : readOnly

hasMax : boolean : readOnly

hasMin : boolean : readOnly

isEffect : boolean : readOnly

isInterpolationTypeValid(KeyframeInterpolationType type) returns boolean

isMask : boolean : readOnly

isModified : boolean : readOnly

isSpatial : boolean : readOnly

isTimeVarying : boolean : readOnly

keyInInterpolationType(integer keyIndex) returns KeyframeInterpolationType

keyInSpatialTangent(integer keyIndex) returns ArrayOfFloat

keyInTemporalEase(integer keyIndex) returns ArrayOfKeyframeEase

keyOutInterpolationType(integer keyIndex) returns KeyframeInterpolationType

keyOutSpatialTangent(integer keyIndex) returns ArrayOfFloat

keyOutTemporalEase(integer keyIndex) returns ArrayOfKeyframeEase

keyRoving(integer keyIndex) returns boolean

keySelected(integer keyIndex) returns boolean

keySpatialAutoBezier(integer keyIndex) returns boolean

keySpatialContinuous(integer keyIndex) returns boolean

keyTemporalAutoBezier(integer keyIndex) returns boolean

keyTemporalContinuous(integer keyIndex) returns boolean

keyTime(integer keyIndex) returns float

keyTime(string markerName) returns float

keyValue(integer keyIndex) returns type-stored-in-property

keyValue(string markerName) returns type-stored-in-property

matchName : string : readOnly

189

After Effects Object Summary

189

moveTo(integer index) no return

name : string : readOnly

nearestKeyIndex(float atTime) returns integer

numKeys : integer : readOnly

parentProperty : PropertyGroup : readOnly

propertyDepth : integer : readOnly

propertyGroup([integer countUp]) returns PropertyGroup

propertyIndex : integer : readOnly

propertyType : PropertyType : readOnly

propertyValueType : PropertyValueType : readOnly

remove() no return

removeKey(integer keyIndex) no return

selected : boolean : read/write

selectedKeys : Array of integer : readOnly

setInterpolationTypeAtKey(integer keyIndex, KeyframeInterpolationType inType,

[KeyframeInterpolationType outType]) no return

setRovingAtKey(integer keyIndex, boolean isRoving) no return

setSelectedAtKey(integer keyIndex, boolean isSelected) no return

setSpatialAutoBezierAtKey(integer keyIndex, boolean isAutoBezier) no return

setSpatialContinuousAtKey(integer keyIndex, boolean isContinuous) no return

setSpatialTangentsAtKey(integer keyIndex, ArrayOfFloat inTangent, [ArrayOfFloat outTangent])

no return

setTemporalAutoBezierAtKey(integer keyIndex, boolean isAutoBezier) no return

setTemporalContinuousAtKey(integer keyIndex, boolean isContinuous) no return

setTemporalEaseAtKey(integer keyIndex, ArrayOfKeyframeEase inEase,

[ArrayOfKeyframeEase outEase]) no return

setValue(type-stored-in-property newValue) no return

setValueAtKey(integer keyIndex, type-stored-in-property newValue) no return

setValueAtTime(float atTime, type-stored-in-property newValue) no return

setValuesAtTimes(ArrayOfFloat atTimes, ArrayOf-type-stored-in-property newValues) no return

unitsText : string : readOnly

value : type-stored-in-property: readOnly

valueAtTime(float atTime, bool preExpression) returns type-stored-in-property

=====================================================================

PropertyGroup object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

(integer propertyIndex) returns PropertyBase

(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

active : boolean : readOnly

addProperty(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

canAddProperty(string propertyName) returns boolean

canSetEnabled : boolean : readOnly

duplicate() returns PropertyGroup

elided : boolean : readOnly

enabled : boolean : readOnly

isEffect : boolean : readOnly

isMask : boolean : readOnly

isModified : boolean : readOnly

matchName : string : readOnly

moveTo(integer index) no return

name : string : readOnly

190

After Effects Object Summary

190

numProperties : integer : readOnly

parentProperty : PropertyGroup : readOnly

property(integer propertyIndex) returns PropertyBase

property(string propertyName) returns PropertyBase

propertyDepth : integer : readOnly

propertyGroup([integer countUp]) returns PropertyGroup

propertyIndex : integer : readOnly

propertyType : PropertyType : readOnly

remove() no return

selected : boolean : read/write

======================================================================

PropertyType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

PropertyType.INDEXED_GROUP

PropertyType.NAMED_GROUP

PropertyType.PROPERTY

====================================================================

PropertyValueType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

PropertyValueType.COLOR

PropertyValueType.CUSTOM_VALUE

PropertyValueType.LAYER_INDEX

PropertyValueType.MARKER

PropertyValueType.MASK_INDEX

PropertyValueType.NO_VALUE

PropertyValueType.OneD

PropertyValueType.SHAPE

PropertyValueType.TEXT_DOCUMENT

PropertyValueType.ThreeD

PropertyValueType.ThreeD_SPATIAL

PropertyValueType.TwoD

PropertyValueType.TwoD_SPATIAL

=====================================================================

PulldownPhase enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

PulldownPhase.OFF

PulldownPhase.SSWWW

PulldownPhase.SWWWS

PulldownPhase.SWWWW_24P_ADVANCE

PulldownPhase.WSSWW

PulldownPhase.WSWWW_24P_ADVANCE

PulldownPhase.WWSSW

PulldownPhase.WWSWW_24P_ADVANCE

PulldownPhase.WWWSS

PulldownPhase.WWWSW_24P_ADVANCE

PulldownPhase.WWWWS_24P_ADVANCE

=====================================================================

PulldownMethod enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

PulldownMethod.ADVANCE_24P

PulldownMethod.PULLDOWN_3_2

191

After Effects Object Summary

191

===================================================================

PurgeTarget enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

PurgeTarget.ALL_CACHES

PurgeTarget.IMAGE_CACHES

PurgeTarget.SNAPSHOT_CACHES

PurgeTarget.UNDO_CACHES

======================================================================

RenderQueue object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

item(integer itemIndex) returns RenderQueueItem

items : RQItemCollection : readOnly

numItems : integer : readOnly

pauseRendering(boolean doPause) no return

render() no return

rendering : boolean : readOnly

showWindow(boolean doShow) no return

stopRendering() no return

====================================================================

RenderQueueItem object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

applyTemplate(string templateName) no return

comp : CompItem : readOnly

duplicate() returns RenderQueueItem

elapsedSeconds : float : readOnly

logType : LogType : read/write

numOutputModules : integer : readOnly

outputModule(integer outputModuleIndex) returns OutputModule

outputModules : OMCollection : readOnly

remove() no return

render : boolean : read/write

saveAsTemplate(string templateName) no return

skipFrames : integer : read/write

startTime : float : readOnly

status : RQItemStatus : readOnly

templates : Array of string: readOnly

timeSpanDuration : float : read/write

timeSpanStart : float : read/write

onStatusChanged() no return

=====================================================================

RQItemCollection object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

add(CompItem compToAdd) returns RenderQueueItem

=====================================================================

RQItemStatus enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

RQItemStatus.DONE

RQItemStatus.ERR_STOPPED

RQItemStatus.NEEDS_OUTPUT

RQItemStatus.QUEUED

RQItemStatus.RENDERING

192

After Effects Object Summary

192

RQItemStatus.UNQUEUED

RQItemStatus.USER_STOPPED

RQItemStatus.WILL_CONTINUE

======================================================================

Settings object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

getSetting(string sectionName, string sectionKey) returns string

haveSetting(string sectionName, string sectionKey) returns boolean

saveSetting(string sectionName, string sectionKey, string newValue) no return

======================================================================

Shape object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

new Shape() returns Shape

closed : boolean : read/write

inTangents : Array of float[2] : read/write

outTangents : Array of float[2] : read/write

vertices : Array of float[2] : read/write

======================================================================

SolidSource object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

alphaMode : AlphaMode : read/write

color : Array of float : read/write

conformFrameRate : float : readOnly

displayFrameRate : float : readOnly

fieldSeparationType : FieldSeparationType : readOnly

guessAlphaMode() no return

guessPulldown(PulldownMethod pulldownMethod) no return

hasAlpha : boolean : readOnly

highQualityFieldSeparation : boolean : readOnly

invertAlpha : boolean : read/write

isStill : boolean : readOnly

loop : integer : readOnly

nativeFrameRate : float : readOnly

premulColor : Array of float : read/write

removePulldown : PulldownPhase : readOnly

======================================================================

System object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

callSystem(string cmdLineToExectute) returns outputOfCommandAsString

machineName : string : readOnly

osName : string : readOnly

osVersion : string : readOnly

userName : string : readOnly

======================================================================

TextDocument object

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

new TextDocument(string text) returns TextDocument

text : string : read/write

======================================================================

TimecodeBaseType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

193

After Effects Object Summary

193

TimecodeBaseType.AUTO

TimecodeBaseType.FPS100

TimecodeBaseType.FPS24

TimecodeBaseType.FPS25

TimecodeBaseType.FPS30

TimecodeBaseType.FPS48

TimecodeBaseType.FPS50

TimecodeBaseType.FPS60

=====================================================================

TimecodeDisplayType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

TimecodeDisplayType.FEET_AND_FRAMES

TimecodeDisplayType.FRAMES

TimecodeDisplayType.TIMECODE

======================================================================

TimecodeFilmType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

TimecodeFilmType.MM16

TimecodeFilmType.MM35

======================================================================

TrackMatteType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

TrackMatteType.ALPHA

TrackMatteType.ALPHA_INVERTED

TrackMatteType.LUMA

TrackMatteType.LUMA_INVERTED

TrackMatteType.NO_TRACK_MATTE

======================================================================

AutoOrientType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

AutoOrientType.ALONG_PATH

AutoOrientType.CAMERA_OR_POINT_OF_INTEREST

AutoOrientType.NO_AUTO_ORIENT

======================================================================

FrameBlendingType enum

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

FrameBlendingType.FRAME_MIX

FrameBlendingType.NO_FRAME_BLEND

FrameBlendingType.PIXEL_MOTION

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adobe After Effects CS3 Scripting Guide Aftereffectscs3 En

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