FX Numbers can’t animate

[Stephan Dube]

Im using the FX Numbers to generate random numbers however I am unable to move the numbers which reside on a layer. I have tried to put the layer to a parent null and move it around but the layer (numbers) remain still.. very odd.. how do I make the numbers animate?
thanks

[Mike Clasby]

Showing my ignorance here, but what is FX Numbers? A plugin? Don’t now it.

You can generate random number pretty easily on text with expressions. Here is a taste:

https://library.creativecow.net/articles/ebberts_dan/ae6_exp.php

That sample is holding for five frames, so you could speed it up, slow it down, or even tie it to a slider to change rates over time. It’s also for numbers and letter, but that’s a quickfix, ask if your interested.

[Stephan Dube]

hey mike
sorry my bad.

I did in fact generate randome numbers by going in Effect>text>numbers, then I insert a few values, however the problem that Im having is that I can not animate the numbers on the layer, If I select the layer and save some keyframes in position nothing happens. Im not sure why this is… any clue?
thanks for the help

[Curious Turtle]

Hi Stephan,

If memory serves, the effect you’re using is a bit of a throwback to when After Effects didn’t do native text layers, and you had to use a plug-in.

Use a text layer, as it probably says in Mike’s response. You can then use an expression to generate random numbers, or link the text layer to other values, for example on an expression slider.

Cheers,
Ben

Curious Turtle Professional Video
Training | Editing |Support

http://www.curiousturtle.com

[Mike Clasby]

If you want to use AE’s Text Tool, a good thing, just type in any letter or number with it, twirl down the text layer, then add this expression to the Source Text (Copy the expression, Alt-Click the Source Text Stopwatch, Paste):

numRows = 1;
numChars = 6;
holdFrames = 1;

seed = Math.floor(time/(holdFrames*thisComp.frameDuration));
seedRandom(seed,true);

s = “”;
j = 0;
while(j < numRows){ k = 0; while (k < numChars){ c = Math.floor(random(48,58)); s += String.fromCharCode(c); k += 1; } s += "\r"; j += 1; } s It will make one line of numbers, six digits long, that change to a new random number at every frame. Change the first three parameters to get more rows (make a grid), make each row longer, or change how long it holds those numbers before it changes to a new random number.

[Stephan Dube]

thats exactly what I wanted..but I have two other questions
1. how do I do decimal in the script?
2. so the effect that I used what is it use for? to only have random text but not to be animated?

Thanks again guys I really appreciate your effort on this.
thanks
cheers

btw another question that is a bit off topic, Im a user interface designer and I was wondering if anyone knows any website that I could get constructive critisism of my work… I can’t seem to find a good community on the web for UI Designers
thanks

[Mike Clasby]

I tried a hack but can’t get a decimal, ask Dan and Filip, here:

https://forums.creativecow.net/forum/adobe_after_effects_expressions