Bring layers into timeline randomly

[Steve Roberts]

What exactly do you want to be random? The layer order (top to bottom) in the timeline?

You can click any of the columns in the Project window to sort them differently, then drag into the timeline, and they will maintain that sort. It’s not random, but it could be on size, date or duration, for example.

… or there seems to be a script mentioned at the bottom of this link:

https://livedocs.adobe.com/en_US/AfterEffects/8.0/help.html?content=WS3878526689cb91655866c1103906c6dea-7e92.html

[Jonathan Kirsch]

Thanks for the quick reply, Steve.

I think clicking on the columns and choosing “size” will do the trick because file type and location are pretty much the same. Here’s the details:

I have over 200 pictures. One group is “France xxxx”, another chunk is “Italy xxxx” and “Spain xxxx” and “California xxxx” and so on. When I put them on the timeline, I don’t want all the “France” pics together, then all the “Italy” pics together, etc. I don’t want them on the timeline in alphabetical order. So I think clicking on the “size” column will work.

Thanks.

Jonathan

[Steve Roberts]

Did you check out the script I mentioned?

[Jonathan Kirsch]

Yeah, Steve, I did, thanks. Despite the fact that I don’t know much about scripts, the note says it only works with CS3, and I have 6.5 (on a Mac). 🙁 Still saving for that upgrade!

It looks like a good idea.

Jonathan

[Tl Westgate]

I have used a little random renamer program in the past for this.

https://www.webmastersguide.com/downloads/Renamer.exe

It will take a folder of pix and rename them numerically while randomizing them and copy them into a new folder. It takes an extra step and some hard drive space, but it’s automated and easy.

Check it out.

[Jonathan Kirsch]

Thanks, for the randomer program, but it’s a .exe I’m on a Mac (without Boot Camp) so I can’t run PC software. Hopefully someone with a PC will be able to use it.

Jonathan