Skip to main content
A
Anonymous
May 19, 2012
Answered

AE_Effect_Match_Name from Pixel Bender Kernels?

  • May 19, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 7821 views

Hi,

I was using Pixel Bender to develop plugins until the recent discontinuation in CS6. I am working on porting my plugins into the After Effects SDK, but if possible, I would like for the native plugins to silently replace my pixel bender kernels, so that projects using the old plugins could load using the new ones.

Is there a way, perhaps by setting AE_Effect_Match_Name to a specific value, for After Effects to see both the pixel bender kernel and the native plugin as the same plugin?

Thanks,

Andrew

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer shachar carmi

i don't have a definite answer for you, but i seems that pixel benders plug-ins do have a match name.

create a new project, with a single comp, with a single solid, and put your PB plug-in on it.

now run this java script:

alert(app.project.item(1).layer(1).effect(1).matchName);

it will tell you the match name for your plug-in. (something based on the id data in the pixel bender script)

will that matchName stick for a regular plug-in?

i have no idea.

but i hope so.

:-)

1 reply

S
Community Expert
shachar carmiCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
May 19, 2012

i don't have a definite answer for you, but i seems that pixel benders plug-ins do have a match name.

create a new project, with a single comp, with a single solid, and put your PB plug-in on it.

now run this java script:

alert(app.project.item(1).layer(1).effect(1).matchName);

it will tell you the match name for your plug-in. (something based on the id data in the pixel bender script)

will that matchName stick for a regular plug-in?

i have no idea.

but i hope so.

:-)

A
Anonymous
May 19, 2012

Thanks for your reply

The matchName is a perfect solution, and I was able to get the new plugin to replace the old one.

One caveat: the parameter disk_ids are not just a simple enum, so I had to loop through the parameter matchNames as well, to get the right indices.

Another problem I had to deal with: percent sliders are implemented as float sliders in pixel bender, so a PF_ADD_PERCENT won't work (use PF_ADD_FLOAT_SLIDERX)

Thanks again,

Andrew

S
Community Expert
shachar carmiCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 19, 2012

hey andrew,

glad to hear the matchName worked!

as for the precent->float transition,

i don't know if you already know that, but you can add PF_ValueDisplayFlag_PERCENT to the PF_ADD_FLOAT_SLIDER call, and you'll get the float slider represented as percentage. (only in the UI)

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices