Easy way (script or otherwise) to make a nested comp’s start timecode match the layer’s in-point in the parent comp?

[Kevin Camp]

i think this is what you are after:

target=thisComp.layer(“Layer 1”); // this would be your control layer
target.effect(“Timecode”)(“Starting Frame”)+timeToFrames(inPoint);

it will link the starting frame of the timecode effect of the layer it is applied to to the starting time of the target/control layer but accounts for the layer’s inPoint time.

Kevin Camp
Senior Designer
KCPQ, KMYQ & KRCW

[Erik Waluska]

AE doesn’t use timecode, it just counts from the beginning of the comp (in a timecode format – granted). If you want the layers you pre-comp from within the main comp to retain the time relation to the main comp then don’t use the rd_pre-compose script to trim the comps – that just makes the in point of the comp start at zero. You can un-precompose the clips and then compose them normally with “move all attributes…” checked on. Of course, when you go into the pre-comp it will be the duration of the main comp and not the clip.

[Perry Kroll]

See, I can do this manually by simply opening up each pre-comp, going to composition settings, and typing in a new start timecode. I just feel like there must be a way to write a script to automate that process…

[Walter Soyka]

[Erik Waluska] “AE doesn’t use timecode, it just counts from the beginning of the comp (in a timecode format – granted)”

New in AE CS5.5 — timecode support [link].

You’re right that AE counts from the beginning of the comp, but you can set a comp’s starting timecode (or start frame) in its composition settings [link].

I have been doing what Perry is describing manually — starting in the main comp, going to a precomp layer’s in-point, copying the current timecode, opening the precomp, opening its comp settings, and pasting in the new starting timecode.

Since this can be done entirely from the keyboard, it’d be easy enough to record a keyboard macro:

I
Alt-Shift-J
Ctrl-C
Esc
NumPad Enter
Ctrl-K
Shift-Tab (6x)
Ctrl-V
Enter
Ctrl-W

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events

[Perry Kroll]

Ha! That’s actually pretty clever.

I just wish I had the programming smarts to write a script, because I think this would be incredibly useful.

Are you listening… script writing people?? You could sell this for like $5…

[Erik Waluska]

I’m still on CS5 so I wasn’t aware of the new timecode support but that’s good to know.

[Walter Soyka]

[Perry Kroll] “Ha! That’s actually pretty clever. I just wish I had the programming smarts to write a script, because I think this would be incredibly useful.”

I wish I had the time to really get into scripting, because this one does sound like it should be pretty straightforward.

As it is, I try to cheat with keyboard macros whenever possible.

Good luck with your project.

Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events