[Christopher Johnstone]

Thanks for coming back Kevin,
Joy – I have got both types of Rig working now thanks to your help.

Many, many thanks – CJ

Christopher Johnstone

[Christopher Johnstone]

Thanks Kevin! that has been a great help.
There is a little problem with the orientation that I still cannot fathom.

I have pasted the nearest thing I have got to a result bellow but this does not look right to me.

What do you think is wrong?

Many thanks – CJ

// on Particular Emitter XRot node //
- thisComp.layer("Null Can").transform.orientation[0]/2
// on Particular Emitter YRot node //
180 - thisComp.layer("Null Can").transform.orientation[1]
// on Particular Emitter ZRot node //
thisComp.layer("Null Can").transform.orientation[2]/2

Christopher Johnstone

[Christopher Johnstone]

Selecting the keyframed properties would be a relatively straightforward task if there was a script. Yes I took a quick look at aescripts, no luck on first look, will take a closer look.

Christopher Johnstone

[Christopher Johnstone]

So the expression below works beautifully – thank you.
I am now trying to generate a colour change on the leading zeros.

The effect I am after is If the leading zero is in the 10, 100, 1000 + column I would like to generate a colour change and if a leading zero is in the 1 column it needs to remain the same.

To explain a little further in the following strings:

“00000.0” or “00001.0”
The first four zeros would be effected by the colour change.
The fifth 0 would not.

“00010.0”
The first three zeros would be the only ones effected by the colour change.

“00100.0”
The first two zeros would be the only ones effected by the colour change.

“10000.0”
No zeros would be effected by the colour change.

Hopefully my explanation made sense?

Let me know if you have any ideas?

Many thanks – Chris

num = comp("name").layer("name").effect("name")("Slider");
numDigits = 6;
numDec = 1;

s = "" + Math.floor(num);
while(s.length < numDigits) s = "0" + s;
if (numDec > 0) s += "." + num.toFixed(numDec).split(".")[1];
s

Christopher Johnstone

[Christopher Johnstone]

Lovely Dan,

just what the doctor ordered – this works perfectly.

Could you explain a little how the accum function works?
I have tried to explain it to a friend a little and found myself a little unsure.

Many thanks – Chris

Christopher Johnstone

[Christopher Johnstone]

Well it is all pretty basic my end.
I am using a slider with some key frames to drive a number for MPH.
This MPH is represented by a text number is in a digital dash readout.

That is what this bit is:
comp(“- CNTL – MPH -“).layer(“- MPH -“).effect(“MPH”)(“Slider”);

I am trying to generate an accurate distance travelled number within my driving simulation given that at frame 0 my speed and distance is zero.

I am unsure if I have to use the multiplier 0.1 in your example.

Hope this makes a little more sense?
Let me know what you think.

Cheers – Chris

Christopher Johnstone

[Christopher Johnstone]

Hi Dan,

Im stumped. Would you mind breaking that down for me.

Many thanks – Chris

Christopher Johnstone

[Christopher Johnstone]

I have got it to work [see below] .. but I am still not happy with my botch job syntax
Is there a more elegant solution?

Many thanks – C

t = comp("CNTL").layer("1").effect("1")("Slider");
n = comp("Graph").layer("Null").transform.position.valueAtTime(t*0.04);
value = Math.round(n[1]);


Christopher Johnstone

[Christopher Johnstone]

– Yes you are right, apologies Dan:

I was using a keyframed slider to drive a Math.round expression in Text Layer which I was using as a source to generate my average.

You solution was bang on an sorted me right out – Many thanks

As a after note:

Being an After Effects user who dabbles and loves Java Script but who has got in via the back door I am always looking for great resources to help me out. I rely heavily on your online presence of Mr Dan Ebberts, via his blogs and his various web sites as he put this stuff into a language that I understand. I would love to know if there is a set of comprehensive exercises out there that I can pick up on that will take me that little bit further into the world of Java Script. As I am using and pushing it more and more I am finding more and more walls to hit from a lack of my knowledge. I am sure, like many others, would love a one stop, easy to read, not too techy but covering everything, set of exercises. Is there anything out there? Indeed do you have a book coming out Dan?

Many thanks for your ongoing help – Chris

Christopher Johnstone