[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Paul, with scripting you could do a lot more than with expressions alone, as well as add different checks to make sure if layer should be translated in the first place (consider cases like text layer is used for other purposes than actual on-screen text, etc)

To put this into perspective, in order to replace words in the project, first of all you would need to have some sort of “schema” of project structure – otherwise, where you will get translations from?

The way to think about this long-term is as follows:
1. You have template X with language Y.
2. You export its structure to have “reference” where translations should go in.
3. Translate based on 2nd point.
4. Import translations based on 2nd point.

There are a lot more things to consider like animations on text layers, multiple text values per single layer source, etc etc. Its doable if you prepare templates on your own and know what you are doing (following some rules), but can quickly become a nightmare if used with others designs, which does not comply with logic you have. Think carefully before diving into this one, haha!

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Tom, at least if I understood the problem you are facing correctly, it shouldn’t be this way.

Basically, whichever controls you are adding in the essentials WILL appear as keyframeable options when that main comp is placed in other pre-comp – no matter of the depth levels (well, at least 4 on my sample project was not an issue)

The bottom line is that you should plan and organise all the controllers into single main body essential graphics panel. To avoid the clutter, use grouping and place relevant controllers there.

Let us know in case if the problem is elsewhere 🙂

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Karl, that is strange behaviour indeed! It seems that on Z it works only when the exact same expression is applied again.

I also checked in case there is some rounding happening – doesn’t seem to be the case neither.

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Rodrigo, try 3988 to see what it brings.
https://hyperbrew.co/blog/after-effects-command-ids/

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

In case if someone is interested in the topic further.

Setting 1000 keyframes on a slider with setValueAtTime() takes ~1.5s
Setting 2000 keyframes on a slider with setValueAtTime() takes ~3.7s
Setting 4000 keyframes on a slider with setValueAtTime() takes ~11s

Now with setValuesAtTimes() its a different story accordingly.

Setting 1000 keyframes on a slider with setValuesAtTimes() takes ~0.3s
Setting 2000 keyframes on a slider with setValuesAtTimes() takes ~0.45s
Setting 4000 keyframes on a slider with setValuesAtTimes() takes ~0.48s

As mentioned, the more you repeat the same action during the single execution, the slower it gets.

BUT the solution Dan has shared opens broad horizons ahead to speed up the workflows. Not only it only slows down by a fraction, its A HELL LOT faster! Thank you, Dan, its a fortune!!!

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Dan, thanks a ton! I never knew its possible to use setValueAtTime in plural! Will test it out and see how it goes – thanks for the hint!

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

hey Adam, it would be great if you specify how you envision “pressing” and “cycle through” the letters.

You could setup 9 controllers, each linking to 9 text layers (aka, buttons on a mobile)

Then, check “Character Value” text animator in text animation engine. It has full-unicode or types-only controller, which cycles through the alphabet. So you would set a limit of each, to fit specific boundaries of the phone key.

Then its a matter of planning and executing based on your needs. To mention – its just one of the ways how this could be achieved for sure.

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Here is an example of what I am making, to have a visual sense and clarity:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CcNHOmBFS67

The goal was to make sure “zoom out” goes far enough that a whole path map is visible, but because of multiple parenting inside the master comp, I yet to find the solution.

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Hey Jace. What object transparency we are talking about? Where and what you want to toggle on/of? Is it a layer in the composition? If so, do you select that manually, or how it will be decided what to turn on/off?

Or are you talking about transparency in they GUI?

[Tomas Bumbulevičius]

Christian – how you are going to decide “which” words should have that effect?