AFTER EFFECTS WISH LIST (Prior to Sept 09)

I want SERIOUS integration between AE and other Adobe products. As this is a wishlist I'm going to be outrageous and say a big giant Flash engine in AE so I can import FLAs as comps (similar to the way you'd import AI or PSD files), but realistically I'd be happy with just being able to edit Illustrator paths (as you can with Combustion) within AE. It's SOOOO annoying having to ctrl + e Illustrator files when an app that adobe don't even make has better integration with adobe products. Grrrrrrr

A better management of core processes like a good 3D app do...

XDCam EX import capability.

prob a really simple little thing but a 'centre anchor point' button could be handy?

Independant X,Y,Z coordinate keyframing
Tracker Data Applyable to Masks (or mask parenting to nulls, etc)
More options for keyframes without the need for expressions - ie, loop out, extrapolate, etc
Node view for Parenting
Lockable Selections of layers (so for example you can't accidentally click off a layer when masking, applying certain composition only effects such as mesh warp, etc.

This might seem like a small thing, but it would be nice if when I option-double-click on a locked comp layer AE would open the source comp, rather than behaving as if I am trying to select the locked layer.

I used to like that in pre v8 holding opt down would turn your arrow into pen tool rather than having to press G. a little thing but it was one of those things that helps you work at speed...

maybe i could always work in pen mode & hold cmd when i want to go back to the arrow?!

Support loading IFL files.

Faster start-up would be nice, too (Fusion starts in what, 5 seconds). Load plug-ins only as needed = faster startup.

Also on my wishlist: teach the Premiere guys how to code properly or make editing video easier in AFX (the latter might be easier)... ;)

ah great! thanks Christian and Todd. If only all my other wishlist items were already addressed like that. that's great. I should have looked that up, but I just don't like the help browser. Cheers.

> another one that bugs me (but maybe there is a way
> of doing this i haven't yet found) is i can't see
> curves in my graph editor for attributes controlled
> by expressions. eg if i have 3 keyframes and an
> expression to loop these I'd like to be able to see
> my curve looping also, perhaps faded or broken line
> to show the difference.

See "Show expressions and the expression graph".