[Dave Johnson]

Hmmm … I duplicate renders in the queue all the time and didn’t even realize it circumvents the overwrite warning … maybe I’m so in the habit of double checking render file names, locations, etc. that I guess I confirm that it’s pointing to the file I want overwritten and click through the confirmation window without being fully conscious of it. Hmmm again … an only partially conscious animator … unheard of, I know!

By the way, the Windows shortcut is just CNTRL D.

[Dave Johnson]

By the way, here is a tutorial on one of the main methods:
https://graphicmentor.com/tutorials/quickmask/index.php

I haven’t used Photoshop tutorials personally in a while so I’d guess there are better ones out there, as well as for other methods like the Extract Filter.

Some may argue that any one of the methods is the “right” way, but personally, I believe the “right” way to depend on the particular image and the methods an individual designer uses most efficiently with the ideal being a combination of all methods … one of the greatest things about Adobe products is that there’s a zillion ways to do everything.

[Dave Johnson]

I’m sure someone more knowledgeable will correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure there’s no way to do that … it sure sounds like a good candidate for a feature request though.

I believe the only methods are moving or deleting the existing files, or selecting “comp name” in the render queue where it lest you choose file name, but when there is already a file of the same name, that generates a confirmation popup along the lines of “this will overwrite an existing file existing file, are you sure you want to do that”?

[Dave Johnson]

I haven’t used any of them personally so no first-hand recommendations, but I keep this list of data recovery services that were recommended by trusted sources just in case:

Data Recovery Labs
Drive Savers
ESS Data Recovery
Salvage Data

[Dave Johnson]

Yes, I find having to change my workflow methods to suit software updates very annoying and consider reinstalling a non-option for the reasons I went into in another recent post … basically, that might be fine for hobbyists who use everything at defaults and/or use a single machine, but I work with highly customized setups on 4 machines.

I also agree using Bridge while working isn’t very practical … I meant just to preview stuff before bringing it into AE rather than my old/preferred method of just bringing a bunch of QTs in, viewing them inside of AE and deleting what I don’t want.

[Dave Johnson]

I’ll chime in since I know it’s hard trying to convince someone that something is really happening without being able to show them …

I get the same ever since switching to CS3 and thought it was one of the intended changes I’d just have to get use to even though I hate it. I work on both Mac and Win machines daily … on both, I rarely use source video that’s anything other than QuickTime files and they always open in a footage panel now (regardless of file size, etc.).

I actually don’t even try to view video files inside of AE without bringing them into a comp anymore because of it. I figured it was just Adobe’s way of forcing me to use Bridge, which worked … even though it made me get use to Bridge, which I now like by the way, I’d still much prefer to view my MOVs the old way inside AE.

[Dave Johnson]

I did this kind of effect a few years back with only some minor adjustments to an expression from either Dan Ehbert’s site or AE Enhancers … I don’t recall the details so I’m sorry I can’t be more help in that way. However, I’ll make one simple suggestion that I unfortunately remembered the hard way so that it might save you the grief I went through … if you plan to have a sound track, you might want to mix it first, then build your animation to match it … sound goes a long way in selling some effects, but sound that doesn’t sync well with the visuals can also ruin otherwise good visuals.

[Dave Johnson]

Oh yeah! Parenting! That’s probably the best way depending on the circumstances. Apparently, I hadn’t thought about it long enough! lol

[Dave Johnson]

There are several things you can do …

1) Precompose by selecting both layers and going to “precompose” from the layer menu.

2) Use the Transform effect (in the Distort menu I think)… either on each layer individually or on an adjustment layer above both.

3) Select both layers and drag the scale property for one of them to the left or right to decrease or increase scale and the other will change with it proportionally … only works dragging the value though … if you type it in, it’ll change both to the same value.

If I thought about it long enough, I’m sure there’d be a dozen more ways, but those should get you started in the right direction.

[Dave Johnson]

Yes, I know that form so well the Adobe AE team is probably considering banning me from submitting any more requests.

I’m sure you know you’re not the first or last to ask for that, but the more users that request something the higher priority it gets so I’m glad you chose to make your voice heard.