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loopOut on keyframes AND modifying them with the linear() expression
Sorry to bringing this one up again, as there have been similar problems all over. I just can’t figure out a solution for my specific problem.
The problem is how to add a loopOut expression to a set of keyframes while having a linear expression modifying one of the keyframes.
So.
I have this keyframed setup for a shape line trim with all three properties set to loopOut().
Start 50 > 75 > 50
End 50 > 25 > 50
Offset -180 > 180
I have to create about 200 trim line animations and since the repeater doesn’t allow for time offsets, I am doing it via layers and keyframes – now I want to easily modify or randomize the line length by changing the middle keyframe values via the linear expression and still be able to place a loop on these keyframes.
In the attached screenshot I linked the middle key to a slider for easier experimentation (the first keyframes are just to create a break) The loopOut should be added to the following expression (or if you have an overall better idea, let me know).
first = key(2).value;
second = key(3).value;
newValue = effect("Length 25-80")("Slider");
linear(value, first, second, first, newValue);(Would be all so easy if we were able to offset and randomize a shape repeater by time 😉
Thanx a ton for your thoughts!
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16 Replies
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Heya! I found this information to your question and hopefully this will help you in some ways:
You can add the loopOut expression to the middle keyframe by using the pick whip tool to select the keyframe and the expression editor. Here’s an example:
- Select the layer with the keyframes and open the expression editor (Shift + F9).
- In the expression editor, select the keyframe you want to modify (in this case, the middle keyframe).
- Click the pick whip tool (the squiggly line icon) and select the “LoopOut” parameter from the Effects Controls panel.
- This should now show the LoopOut expression in the editor window. If you want to change the loop to a different number of times, you can adjust the expression as needed.
- Save the changes to the expression and close the expression editor. The LoopOut expression should now be applied to the middle keyframe.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions about this!
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Not sure this is exactly what you’re looking for, but you could try this instead of loopOut():
t = time%key(numKeys).time;
first = key(2).value;
second = key(3).value;
newValue = effect("Length 25-80")("Slider");
linear(valueAtTime(t), first, second, first, newValue); -
Hey Hector, thank you very much for your response. Sadly I wasn’t able to follow the steps you described.
2 In the expression editor, select the keyframe you want to modify (in this case, the middle keyframe).
> How would I be able to select a keyframe “in” the editor? The editor is just for text entry afaik.
3 Click the pick whip tool (the squiggly line icon) and select the “LoopOut” parameter from the Effects Controls panel.
> How am I able to set a “Loop Out” in the Effects Controls Panel? Is there a “Loop” Effect I am missing?
5 Save the changes to the expression and close the expression editor. The LoopOut expression should now be applied to the middle keyframe.
<font face=”inherit”>> Saving changes in the editor itself? </font>
<font face=”inherit”>Somehow </font><font face=”inherit” style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”>I have the feeling we are talking about </font>different<font face=”inherit” style=”font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;”> things here?! What am I missing. </font>Would love to know!
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As always – “Dan, the man”! Thank you very much! This works as intended for me. I somehow have to be able to wrap my head around how to use modulo to its full extent.
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Now if I manage to use the expression function of the “flow” plugin alongside it instead of linear or ease, this will be amazing. I guess I badly need to enhance my coding skills in some way.
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Thank you for solving this, Dan!
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If I may further ask for your assistance, is there a way to modify it so it also does a loopIn as this would further make randomizing easier? trying to still wrap my head around the modulo in this instance.
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So in this scenario, the keyframes would all be moved to the right so that there is time before the first keyframe, is that correct?
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If easily possible, yes.
Of course it’s possible to offset them to the left and out of sight, but this way it would be clearer to see what’s happening. Didn’t think about it at first but quickly changed the loopOut to loopIn and Out
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Weird. Further trying to extend the possibilities I tried to also place the same script into the “end trim” parameter. But there the value of keys 1 and 2 is changed to the value of the script result and key #3 gets the value of keys 1 and 2. So it seems to be offset!? But even changing the key(#) values never returns the correct result… so weird. but why? 😂
But I’ll just try to skip this for now….
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