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Debugging Expressions
Is there an easy or good way to debug After Effects expressions? Can expressions be somehow opened in ExtendScript or would that mean that every effects reference would have to be referred to as an absolute path, starting with the root project?
I’m writing some fairly long scripts at the moment and debugging is becoming a very cumbersome process.
I’m already writing expressions into expression controls and then linking transform properties or other effects to them (including text layers to display variable values). However, I’m working in 3D space and the absence of a 3D point expression control makes it very difficult (bit of an oversight by Adobe if you ask me)
Any ideas would be very welcome!
-Ben.
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4 Replies
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Bump
I’m also interested in this and can’t seem to find any solution other then what you’ve listed. I wonder if most After Effects users come from a Motion Graphics background and “debug” with their eyes. I come from a programming background and want a real debugger. I’m sure something exists, we just need help finding it.
https://clandestine-movie.com/
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My main debugging techniques are:
If the paramater with the expression allows it, just comment out enough code to see what’s going on with your variables, one by one.
Apply the expression to a slider (or point control in some cases) and do as above.
Apply the expression to a text layer and set the output to display whatever variables you’re interested in.
Not elegant by any means, but functional.
Dan
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Hi guys!
i was searching for the same thing, and ran into this thread.
you guys are absolutely right, it would be very convinient if there was some kind of [ouput module] or ability to do line by line testing.
i have been using similar method of using text, sliders.
would be good just to find out such module does not exist, then i can stop wasting time looking for it : )
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Would it be a possibility to switch to ExtendScript, create a for loop that cycles the length of time of your timeline and then inside that run your code (maybe preset values at the top of the script)?
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