Scripting Feature Requests For Next Release!

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cob906
Posts: 28
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Hey guys,

I've noticed there are a lot of places that AE is lacking in the scripting area. How about we put a list together of features/abilities we'd like Adobe to include in the next release with regards to scripting?

For example: FTP Functions
Darkmoon_UK
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Yes I agree there are many key areas that could do with improvement. For instance, can anyone explain a good reason why we should have to precomp an Layer just to be able to change its video source???
With specific reference to FTP functionality though, it seems Adobe have already paved the way with the existing net sockets methods. Perhaps it wouldn't be too big a task for us to rehash an existing JavaScript FTP client such as the one documented here: http://helma.org/docs/reference/ftp/ .

- Chris
vidpat
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Does my FTPConnection from a while back help at all? It could stand some reworking, surely, and there is some functionality that I haven't gotten around to adding. I'm not sure what my time will be like, but let me know if there are any suggestions or requests. (Also note that I'm still on 6.5.)
Darkmoon_UK
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Well blow me down, that looks like it'll do the job, what do you reckon, cob?
cob906
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Looks great. I understand there are ways of doing FTP; what I think AE needs are predefined FTP functions that make using FTP much easier.

There are other features that would be nice. What are some that you guys would like to see in the next release?
vidpat
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Two words: Text Properties.
cob906
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Ah yes. The ability to access and change text properties (like font family) by scripting.
Darkmoon_UK
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YES. I couldn't agree more. Text properties. AND my aforementioned one... ability to replace the video source of a layer. I just couldn't believe this wasn't possible when I found out, its like the first function you would build into After Effects scripting, surely? Lets face it, pre-comping just feels like a dirty workaround. Euch, I need a shower...
Last edited by Darkmoon_UK on November 10th, 2006, 8:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Disciple
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I'm not sure I understand what you mean by that. Can't you just alt-drag from the Project Panel to the Timeline? You need to have the layer you want to replace in the Timeline selected...
Is that what you are talking about?

Alex
nab
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That's the problem, the alt-drag command is not scriptable.

In addition to the previous " features requests":
- convert audio to keyframes
- auto trace / creates outlines
- more ui elements
- easy "key-shifting", like myKey.moveTo(theTime);
- setting an activeComp (Darkmoon's request in another post)
- shortcut to call the most recent executed script (like Ctrl+Alt+shift+E for effects), in addition to the existing customizable shortcut ExecuteScript()
- access InfoPalette's infos (pixel values)
bradshaw1965
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....Two words: Text Properties.

agreed

....more ui elements

agreed, at least adopt the Bridge standards i.e. pictures in the UI


add,

better event handling and console output that is consistent and attractive

access scripts with key commands and allow access to different menu areas other than the Scripts menu

more palette control

better script "recording" with copy/paste of those events

I'm sure there is more, but that's off the top of my head.
Dale Bradshaw
Technology Director | Primal Screen
creative-workflow-hacks.com
Atlanta, GA
nab
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- composition-time markers :P
nab
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- access project items by name 8)
- boolean mask vertices attribute that indicates if a particular vertex is selected or not ( "if (myVertices.selected) ...." )
Shinjipierre
Posts: 36
Joined: December 4th, 2004, 10:10 am

Well, I would love to have my scripts working in any language...
cob906
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Shinjipierre wrote:Well, I would love to have my scripts working in any language...
Shinjipierre,

I believe what you are looking for can be found in the "Localization in ScriptUI Objects" section of the Bridge JavaScript reference which can be found here:

http://www.adobe.com/products/creatives ... pt_ref.pdf

See Page 91.

CoB
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