[Bart Stevens]

Thanks Dan,
This works great if my slider is on the same layer, but I have my slider on another layer called “Colors”.
I tried modifying your expression, but the language is still off.
Any ideas why it’s not seeing the slider on the master layer?

s = thisComp.layer("Colors").effect("Slider Control")("Slider").value;
s=Math.max(Math.round(effect("Slider Control")("Slider")),1);
f=timeToFrames(time);
seed = Math.floor(f/s);
seedRandom(seed,true);

[Bart Stevens]

I’ll try it out, thanks Dan

[Bart Stevens]

There is a “sort of” difference.
I have all my precomps at 10,000 frames. My master comp has been trimmed down to 500 frames.
The precomp layers are not trimmed down, but looking at my camera, adjustment layers and null layers, they are trimmed.
Besides the camera error, I haven’t noticed any other expression errors.
So you think having my master and sub-comps the same length will be more stable?
Thanks again,
Bart

[Bart Stevens]

Thanks Ridley! Great script.. this will speed things up
Cheers,
Bart

[Bart Stevens]

Once again, Thanks Dan!

[Bart Stevens]

Most likely my communication is confusing (especially if you’re trying to read my hacked together expression)
I think it’s just a two state control.
I might have made it more confusing by suggesting an alternative method.
State 1 – Light color reads the fill color with frame offset (the fill is animated by a wiggle expression and samplePoint)
State 2 – Light color expression is either turned off (Light is native color) or the light color reads only single frame (both possible solutions would present a non-animated light color)

Does this makes more sense?
Thanks again….

[Bart Stevens]

Thanks for the information Neil.
when using the expression:
LAYER.effect(“Fill”)(“Color”).valueAtTime(x)
(this is to generate my light color from a fill effect)
I had some strange issues come up.
It didn’t seem to be referencing the correct color at the specific time, and if my frame exceeded (9), (10 and above) my color went black.

The fill color effect is being driven by a wiggle point expression on my background layer(precomp ramp effect):

targetLayer = thisComp.layer(“background”);
samplePoint = targetLayer.effect(“Point Control”)(“Point”);
sampledColor = targetLayer.sampleImage(samplePoint, radius = [.5, .5]);
sampledColor

I adjusted the script for a frame offset, (which I want for variance between my light colors)and this seems to be working pretty good. (except the expected end of comp when my positive offset has nothing to sample)

thisComp.layer(“Control Master”).effect(“Fill”)(“Color”).valueAtTime(time + 4*thisComp.frameDuration);

Follow up question:
I’m trying to alternate between a continuous update of color (with the time offset) or a single frame hold.(or simply turning the expression off and the light resuming its native color)
I’m guessing the Checkbox Control would be the way to do this.

My expression language is very limited but, here’s my attempt at implementing this:

chBx = thisComp.layer(“Control Master”).effect(“Checkbox Control”)(“Checkbox”)
if (control == 1){
thisComp.layer(“Control Master”).effect(“Fill”)(“Color”).valueAtTime(time + 2*thisComp.frameDuration);
}else{
value;
}thisComp.layer(“Control Master”).effect(“Fill”)(“Color”).valueAtTime(1);

Obviously getting errors with this command, thought it might help.
Thanks

[Bart Stevens]

Thank you Dan!

[Bart Stevens]

Yes, that’s what I’m trying to do. Thanks!

Still struggling with the exact language.
Expression is not recognizing my “Slider Control”.
I haven’t changed the slider name, how should I set up the expression so it recognizes the slider?
I apologize for the rudimentary questions.
I appreciate the help.
-Bart

[Bart Stevens]

Roland,
Thanks for the input. Yes, I was doing my stabilization then applying the liquify effect. I understand the render order, but it didn’t seem to effect the track. Even with the scale issues, it looked like the track was holding. I’ve attached a stripped down version, if you get a chance take a look.
This is a side project, that I’m doing in my spare time, son no sense of urgency.
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Cheers,
Bart