AFTER EFFECTS WISH LIST (Prior to Sept 09)

I would like a broadcast video output for Quicktime movies.
Expecially for DV codec too. Often i need to compare the rendered video with my timeline, and i have to lanch premiere in order to do this.

I would play Quicktimes rendered movies on my footage windows, and compare it with my timeline keyframes, without switch to other applications.

The ability to group together certain puppet pins on the same layer.

I'd like to see a way to simplify expressions in AE based on the "set driven key" functionality in Maya. Basically, it's the same content that expressions offer currently, but you could apply them through a tangible interface/GUI experience (a new floating palette). Expressions are a powerful tool in AE, but becoming fluent in the language is pretty hard to get for many folks. If you haven't used "set driven hey" in Maya, or something similar in another app, the concept would be to define behavior between 2 or more parts via a GUI that would show the various properties of those layers. For example, loading "solid 1" as the driver, and "solid 2" as the driven. Then you can set defining keys of the new relationship. For instance, you key their initial position (creating a sub-class of keyframe---perhaps you'd be able to see these in a separate timeline-ish window), and then you alter both positions, and create a second keyframe, which would define the change. Then anytime you moved the driver, the driven would reflect the behavior.

It really wouldn't be anything that expressions can't do now, and it would still be beneficial to learn javascript for maximum flexibility, but it might be a handy thing to have lying around.

It would be much easier to have a "preference page" for "default interpretation" settings rather than have to manually edit the interpretation file which is not only difficult but very dangerous for beginner users.

Most users would generally work with the same codec/field/pixel aspect over & over. But it is so difficult to get AE to change its default settings, you have to quit AE for starters! Then its anyones guess what editing to do in the interpretations file. Perhaps then you can change AE's settings without having to quit, wow, that would be good going for a 10th generation program

PLEASE - a simple dedicated preference page for AE's defult setting when interpreting imported video files.

^ I really like that idea! The ability to "time-lock" keyframes to a layer, a layer handle, or overall comp position, would be really handy.

So, for example, right clicking selected keyframe(s) and choosing "Lock Keyframe" opens a dialog box with checkbox options:

Lock keyframe(s) relative to:

Layer start handle
Layer end handle
Layer source timecode
Composition timecode

As a workaround in the meantime, however, you might want to try the "Fade In+Out" animation presets, which uses expressions to automate opacity fades at the start and end of a layer.

I would love to be able to "link" keyframes (or a number of keyframes) to the ends of layer bars in the timeline window. That way, when I adjust the layer cutoff points, I'll know that my "fade-in" opacity keyframes are still at the right point without having to display all of the keys and re-adjust everything.

It is really nice to have imagineersystems' mocha for ae in cs4 version, i hope that we will see in the future also on other softwares from imagineersystems for ae with full functional/seamless export/import features. Example http://www.imagineersystems.com/products/mokey/ imagineersystems' mokey sounds really nice software for ae ;)

>Has there been any word on a CS3 to CS4 free upgrade grace period?

I would call Adobe's customer service line and ask. In the past the free upgrade period started when they announced the new version.

Expect them to try to sell you upgrades to CS4 for all of your licenses, of course. ;)

Has there been any word on a CS3 to CS4 free upgrade grace period?
I need another license of AE now, but I don't want to get stuck paying for it twice if buy CS3 today and still have to pay to upgrade it to CS4.

I dunno -- in many cases, Precomping allows for a more logical structure of projects and layered effects. But I can see your point.