AFTER EFFECTS WISH LIST (Prior to Sept 09)

forget about this painstaking precomposing and use "editable-in-place" nested layer function which into you can ad fx an make adjustments. IN THE SAME COMPOSITION! I hate precomposing!

it should work like a folder of grouped layers which you can twirl down in the same comp timeline an continue working on these separeate leyers including applied Fx and Adjustments. twirl back an you´re done. saves space, life and nerves on complex projects.
so keep your new flowchart window, it works backwards anyway. useless.

As far after effects will never ever become node based.

- Color labels for Keyframes could be handy sometimes
- ability to lock all 2d Layers while editing in the Comp window and especially in 3D views
- ability to hide all 2d Layers in 3D views
- Much better antialiasing for 3d layers
- per Comp Bit depht setting (with a "use current settings" switch in the render settings of cause)
- FBX, OBJ, DXF import & and a real 3d renderer (the PS 3d thing is by far not enough)
- Camera mapping
- 3d distortion of layers
- 64 Bit
- a way to animate between blending modes
- a "use as is" checkbox for displacement maps (and other map/layer based effects) in addition to "center map", "scale to fit" and "tile layer". Wich means it should use the layers actual transformations and effect settings. This would save us a ton of precomping
- The curve editor still sucks in CS4 (sorry - but it does!)
- And as always: a responsive GUI; high interruptability & no more beachballs

Ok Thanks Andrew,

just a question/request about CS4.

has there been any possibility/idea implemented to change the Text attributes (Font, Size, Spacing, etc.) for Multiple Layers/Comps Projectwide.

I´ve been requesting this for Ages.
I had an idea of - kinda like - CSS Styles (used for Webdesign), or better, having the ability to define Text-Templates which you can change then Projectwide.
Even a script (per selcted comps or/and Layers) would do.

Same would be fine for custom color Templates/Palettes - means definig colors which are used often in the same or other project.

If you work like me on DVD reels with over eg. 300 short animated indroduction screens including different color and text, this would be a lifesaver. because you know: clients are clients and they always change their minds.

Thanks for reading.

^Previous attempts at a Forum update have not been overly successful, but a new combined format for ALL Adobe forums is in the works.

i would like to have a new forum layout like here http://tinyurl.com/46qf7f

the actual ones here are pretty outdated ;)

Actual wishlist stuff:

True 64-bit executable with an emphasis on faster rendering time.

True 3D render engine with support for 3D cameras and lights (not rendering 3D objects as 2D layers through PhotoShop).

That includes the ability to extrude shapes into 3D (like text, specifically).

Ability to warp layers into shapes.

Flash's new IK tool (makes Puppet tool look like a joke).

Premiere's speech to text for rendering titles/subtitles.

Overhaul of Particle Playground to improve speed.

Ability in Particle Playground, Radio Waves, Wave World, etc.. to pre-calculate 'X' number of frames.

I read there are roughly 5 times the number of PhotoShop/Illustrator users as After Effects users. Which probably explains why AE is the 'red-headed stepchild' of the suite. All it gets are the hand-me downs from the other apps.

The stuff about AE in the launch video made me groan and gave me ZERO excitement for features in AE. However, having seen other stuff from outsiders now, I do appreciate the hard work that went into "workflow" and the attempt and bringing all of the UIs into the same camp.

Since that is now accomplished, I'd really like to see Adobe spend some time actually catching up to 'state-of-the-art' in terms of what can be produced in After Effects without having to rely on SOOOO much third-party stuff. It makes it seem like all the best programmers DON'T work for Adobe with regards to AE.

I hope the fine peoples from Adode After Effects did improve the CURVES AND LEVELS TOOLS. I suggest if I may: Copy the codes from Photoshop and paste it to After effects.
It is painful and frustrating to even think about how bad the Curves and Levels Tools are in After Effects.

Even if Adobe did buy Maxon or 3DS from AutoDesk, they could never drop support for other 3D products without getting their core industry extremely upset with them.

That said, Adobe needs a 3D modeling program as part of their suite. It's the only major missing component.

Additionally, SOOOO much of video work these days is 3D. The basic simple rotating and moving a 2D plane (layer) in 3D space is no longer good enough. After Effects needs an inherent ability to load existing 3D objects in 3 dimensions and allow them to not only interact with a 3D camera, but also support of lighting inside of AE.

I am glad for the ability to import 3D objects in PSD files, but all the talk during the introduction about improving workflow and having to jump into PS to change textures, adjust lighting, etc... does not promote a fast workflow. :)

I almost kinda wish they would have skipped this feature in CS4 so they could do it right in CS5 without any legacy issues. Still, I'm looking forward to messing with it.

Hey Dave! :)

Adobe doesn't have to buy MAXON as long as you have. :)

Because After Effects allows so many different 3D packages to tap into their SDK, it gives AE users a wide range of 3D choices. Personally, I'd be disappointed if AE purchased a single 3D package and dropped the others.

What I'd like to see instead is some kind of dynamic linking SDK available, so people like you and me can use CMD-E to tweak the C4D file, re-render, then come back without re-saving, re-exporting AEC files.

oh, and the layers would all automatically re-align to the C4D external compositing tags.

? :)

but also yes, 3D bicubic distortion in AE (like flame) would be great too.