[Jeff Mcbride]

That’s about the closest I’ve come so far. I think the problem may have something to do with subpixel particle generation? I created a little illustration to help convey where I’m at.

The first line shows the effect I want, evenly spaced particles. The problem begins when I add easing as in the second example, the particles begin to clump at the ease and stagger a bit throughout. Using the expression you provided gets me exactly what I need except that the particles are just a tad uneven. I’ve got Subframe Positioning turned on but it doesn’t seem to change anything. Is this just a limitation or is there a solve somewhere?

Thanks for the help!!

Jeff McBride
Motion Graphic Designer
Chicago, IL

https://www.jeffmcbride.tv

[Jeff Mcbride]

That gives me the scaling I need but the scaling still takes place when the slider equals 0 which it should not.

[Jeff Mcbride]

So I came up with this script which does everything I need except it scales as if I used Hold keyframes- any way to interpolate between time? Thanks!

holdTime = .2; //time to hold each position (seconds)
seed = Math.floor(time/holdTime);
seedRandom(seed,true);
multiplier = random(1,8);
Scaler = thisComp.layer(“Scale Shaker”).effect(“Slider Control”)(“Slider”);
Shaker = transform.scale[0]+multiplier;

if (Scaler > 0){
[Shaker,Shaker];
}else {[value[0],value[1]];}

[Jeff Mcbride]

Use vectors for the grid. You’ll save yourself loads of storage and render time if you can use them. You’ll need to check the continuously rasterize button in After effects to have them properly load. (It’s a black sun looking shape) You’ll have a much better time with the Camera if you use the Orbit/Track tool. Hit the C key and a ring show show up, this will let you orbit around the scene, hit it again and a crosshair icon shows up, this lets you track on the XY axis’, hit it again to track forward and backward. It probably won’t help your render but will help your creation process. You’ll need to add keyframes on both the position and point of interest parameters of the camera. Good luck.

Jeff McBride
Motion Graphic Designer/Editor
LimeGreen
Chicago, IL

http://www.limegreenproductions.com

[Jeff Mcbride]

Go to Edit –> Purge –> All

[Jeff Mcbride]

Have you tried “Write-On”?

[Jeff Mcbride]

Glad that helped, I should have mentioned, when you click that tab you’re only correcting for preview purposes (hence the jaggies) With NTSC Widescreen your pixels are have a 1.2-to-1 ratio, but your computer has 1 to 1. The PAR Correction just allows you to preview what it will look like when properly displayed (on a monitor or TV) It doesn’t effect your output at all, it just shows roughly what your output looks like.

Jeff McBride
Motion Graphic Designer/Editor
LimeGreen
Chicago, IL

http://www.limegreenproductions.com

[Jeff Mcbride]

Are you using a non-square pixel ratio comp with PAR correction on? On the bottom of the Comp window is a little rectangle button with a double ended arrow over it, if it’s checked on that could be your problem. When you have it checked the video will appear in normal aspect, but it will have little jaggies. If that doesn’t help try posting a screenshot.

Jeff McBride
Motion Graphic Designer/Editor
LimeGreen
Chicago, IL

http://www.limegreenproductions.com

[Jeff Mcbride]

If you don’t care about depth of the mist I would just do Fractal Noise with the scale stretched out and just animate it slowly. If you do care about depth something like Particular could get you a really nice effect.

Jeff McBride
Motion Graphic Designer/Editor
LimeGreen
Chicago, IL

http://www.limegreenproductions.com

[Jeff Mcbride]

There’s probably a million ways to acheive the effect you want. For the beam of light you’ll need something like Trapcode Lux, won’t give you particles of dust but will give you volumetric light. There’s a bunch of other ways to acheive the effect but I feel Lux is the easiest.

To put out light to show on the sides I would set up a light on facing from the screen, for an easy (but not as accurate) effect just set a wiggle expression on the intensity. For more accurate you could set try putting the light behind the video screen and using the screen as a gobo so the light actually comes out accurately.

Hope that helps.

Jeff McBride
Motion Graphic Designer/Editor
LimeGreen
Chicago, IL

http://www.limegreenproductions.com