Scripted equivalent of File>Import

[normschaef]

Hi all:

I've just started to play with AE scripting this week and have found it both to be challenging and fun. (I come from a VB.NET and video production background)

I've already learned a great amount from this site by x-referencing with the Scripting Guide.

One question I haven't quit be able to get straight in my head from the guide and the examples is what steps are necessary to automate the File>Import command. (I've looked at the SmartImport.jsx) and it's a little confusing to me.

Adding various other layers seems pretty simple.
layers.addText()';
layers.addSolid(); .....

Seems like it would be really handy to have a
layers.addFile();

But instead it appears that I have to....well, I'm not quite sure what I have to do.

I've looked at the guide in footageSource, fileSource, CompItem and other places, but can't seem to make heads nor tails of it.

TIA for any help.
Norm

[redefinery]

Hi Norm,

Look at the Project object's importFile() or importFileWithDialog() method to retrieve a FootageItem (or array thereof), and then use the LayerCollection object's add() method to add it as a layer. Something like:

Code: Select all

var fItem = app.project.importFile(File("myJPEGFileToImport.jpg"));
var layer = myComp.layers.add(fItem);   // myComp is the CompItem representing your comp

Hope this helps.

Jeff