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Patakk
Patakk
Participant
October 2, 2017
Answered

Are functions like toComp() and toWorld() available in scripts?

  • October 2, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 2861 views

I've stumbled upon these really useful functions, but they only seem to work for me in expressions, and when I try to use them in my script, I get the function undefined message. It would be really weird if they didn't implement this feature for scripts..

Am I missing something?

Correct answer UQg

Unfortunately, you are not missing anything.

The easiest and safest workaround is to add a temporary Point Control (or 3D Point Control for toWorld) somewhere with the appropriate expression, harvest the result, and remove the control.

You can also try to write your own, it's possible but quite some work.

Xavier

2 replies

Tomas Sinkunas
Tomas Sinkunas
Legend
June 20, 2020

If anyone is still looking for methods to get layers coordinates via ExtendScript, look no further - I've reverse engineered toWorld() and toComp() methods and created a separate class for it https://github.com/rendertom/LST

 

    M
    MikeSevigny
    August 17, 2025

    This is great, thanks you!

    I was able to make a few adjustments to toWorld() so it accepts Cameras and I added a valueAtTime() argument. Easily customizable. This solved it for me.

    Mike

    UQg
    UQgCorrect answer
    Legend
    October 2, 2017

    Unfortunately, you are not missing anything.

    The easiest and safest workaround is to add a temporary Point Control (or 3D Point Control for toWorld) somewhere with the appropriate expression, harvest the result, and remove the control.

    You can also try to write your own, it's possible but quite some work.

    Xavier

    Patakk
    PatakkAuthor
    Participant
    October 2, 2017

    Thanks for confirming that there really is no such function.. it's just really weird and embarrassing, in my opinion, that it doesn't exist.

    I've actually come up with a workaround, so for given 3D coordinates (let's say x,y,z = 100,200,300 for simplicity) I do this:

    nullLayer.property("Transform").property("Position").expression = "myOtherLayer.toComp([100, 200, 300]);"

    which assigns the expression to the null layer's position.

    After that I just read that value like this:

    pos2D = nullLayer.property("Transform").property("Position").value;

    Which looks exactly like what you've described, but without Point Control, so I would like to ask you whether you think Point Control has any benefits over what I'm doing?

    Thanks!

    UQg
    UQg
    Legend
    October 2, 2017

    To set the expression, you need a host property. If you already have a free 2D/3D property to use (like the null position)  then you can it of course, but in some situations you might have to add something (a Point Control, or a Null).

    Xavier

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