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Questions about the Animator
Hi,
Here’s a quick summary: I would like to create subtitles with a certain effect. I’m using the animator to create the effect and it’s all good. Now I converted my srt file into an XML file, which I manage to import to AE (a new sequence is automatically created with all the texts and the right timings).
Now here’s the issue: when I copy the “Animator” property to all layers, the keyframes are at the same place as the layer from which I copied. So I have to adjust the keyframes for each layer, which is pretty daunting.
Is there a way to make it so that the keyframes of the animator are based on the layer’s position on the timeline. Otherwise, would it be possible to move all the layers to the beginning of the sequence? Ideally it would be perfect to have a way to put them right after the other but just the first step would be a huge help because then I wouldn’t have to adjust the animator every time.
Thanks.
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2 Replies
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Two ways to approach this.
1. Use an expression to offset the effective start time of the animation. Apply this expression to any animated properties in your first layer. Then, when you copy and paste it onto layers with different start times, Ae will play the animation when the layer begins, irrespective of when the keyframes occur on the time.
if (numKeys < 1) { value; } else {
var animationStartTime = key(1).time;
var animationStartDelay = thisLayer.inPoint - animationStartTime;
valueAtTime(time - animationStartDelay);
}
2. You can quickly move all layers to the beginning of the comp by selecting them all, placing the current time indicator at the very first frame, and pressing the ‘[‘ key. Then, you can copy and paste and everything will line up at the first frame. To re-sequence the layers, select them all (first to last), then in the timeline window, right-click any of the layer bars, select Keyframe Assistant > Sequence layers…, and then click OK in Sequence Layers dialog (keeping ‘Overlay’ disabled).
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Thanks. I used the second solution and it’s pretty awesome. Problem solved.
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