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Nibbbles
Inspiring
March 1, 2021
Answered

Automatically duplicate composition and batch replace footage with a new imported set

  • March 1, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 2833 views

I've been trying to find a script for this or an easier way to do it, but I couldn't find anything, hence why I'm here!

 

So I do a lot of 3D compositing in After Effects, where I work and manipulate multiple render passes for each clip.

Usually, I have multiple 'takes' of one 3D scene, where lighting, grading, and compositing are exactly the same, but the cameras/animations are different - this means that in After Effects I usually end up copying a composition with all its effects and layer structure, and then replace the footage in the duplicated composition with a new batch of source render passes.

E.G. in 'Comp 1' I use footage "render_1_beauty, render_1_reflection, etc". Then I duplicate the comp, make it 'Comp 2', and replace the footage in it with "render_2_beauty, render_2_reflection, etc". Of course ultimately I tweak each composition for minor details and adjustments, but the general structure is usually the same.

 

What happens is because I do heavy compositing, the amount of footage that I have to replace is insane! And what I currently do is basically 'Alt-drag-replace' every new imported render footage whenever I duplicate the composition.

 

IS THERE AN EASIER WAY TO DO THIS? Maybe an automatic 'template' maker for composition structures, where you can easily point at a composition and it's layers, and use it as a 'preset' when making a new composition, thus all the adjustment layers and effects stay, but the source footage are instantly replaced by another batch.

 

I was also thinking of maybe making my own script for this, but I honestly wouldn't know where to begin hahahhahaha.

 

I hope I am clear! And I hope someone has an answer to this 😄

Thanks in advance!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Nibbbles

It's been a while since this problem, and after some months of getting into scripting, I have finally managed to make one, and it works like a charm! 😄

 

My script basically allows render layers in a composition to be replaced by a new batch with names that hold matching syntaxes, EG. 'Render 1_Beauty.exr' will be automatically replaced with 'Render 8_Beauty.exr' as it recognizes 'Beauty' as matching syntax.

 

This script helps me so much in saving time whenever I have to produce base compositions with similar render/grade quality. It also automatically adjusts the timeline to fit to the length of the replaced footage.

 

If anyone is interested, let me know! I am curious how much demand there is for this - if so I wouldn't mind officially publishing it 🙂

4 replies

Mathias Moehl
Community Expert
Mathias MoehlCommunity Expert
Community Expert
October 26, 2023

Automation Blocks for Ae also has a solution, with the big advantage that like any Automation Blocks tool it can be customized easily:

 

More details:

https://docs.mamoworld.com/automation-blocks/tools-ae/compDuplicatesFromSpreadsheet

 

Mathias Möhl - Developer of tools like BeatEdit and Automation Blocks for Premiere Pro and After Effects
N
NibbblesAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
July 13, 2021

It's been a while since this problem, and after some months of getting into scripting, I have finally managed to make one, and it works like a charm! 😄

 

My script basically allows render layers in a composition to be replaced by a new batch with names that hold matching syntaxes, EG. 'Render 1_Beauty.exr' will be automatically replaced with 'Render 8_Beauty.exr' as it recognizes 'Beauty' as matching syntax.

 

This script helps me so much in saving time whenever I have to produce base compositions with similar render/grade quality. It also automatically adjusts the timeline to fit to the length of the replaced footage.

 

If anyone is interested, let me know! I am curious how much demand there is for this - if so I wouldn't mind officially publishing it 🙂

    G
    grischat36682460
    Participant
    October 26, 2023

    I would love to know more.
    I am actually doing this quite a bit as well. Did you publish this somewhere?

    Tomas B. aka Tom10
    Tomas B. aka Tom10
    Inspiring
    March 1, 2021

    Hey, there are few things to clarify here, in order to help you out:

    1. When do you import footage and where it is being imported?
    2. Is it really the case that imported footage doesn't have any other prefix/sufix, appart from mentioned names?
    3. Does number of footages in the comp ALWAYS matches number of newly imported assets?
    4. Do you prefer to make import automated as well, or it can be done manually?

     

    I don't think you need any complex tools, unless answers to above will specify otherwise. 

    N
    NibbblesAuthor
    Inspiring
    March 2, 2021

    To answer your questions:

     

    1. Basically when I have a render sequence fully rendered from my 3D engine I will import all the passes as separate clips into AE. See image below:

     

     

    2. No that is not true - usually, my names are structured as "render name_Pass type", as seen in the image above.

    3. Not necessarily - sometimes I don't use all the passes that I render in my comps - however usually the newly imported assets do match the previously imported assets in terms of what types of passes.

    4. I would prefer if it was manual, as there will be exceptional moments where I will have a totally different set of render passes for a completely other scene.

     

    To be practical, It would be nice if I could select an existing comp that I already edited, select a new set of imported assets in the project manager that matches that of the current comp, then click a "duplicate comp" button, and an entirely new comp will be made, where it will automatically replace all layers in the new comp with the newly imported assets that I selected. I made a screenshot below to try and explain the visual workflow. Hope it's clear!

     

    Mathias Moehl
    Community Expert
    Mathias MoehlCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 1, 2021

    Maybe  comps from spreadsheets?

    https://aescripts.com/compsfromspreadsheet/

     

    Mathias Möhl - Developer of tools like BeatEdit and Automation Blocks for Premiere Pro and After Effects
    N
    NibbblesAuthor
    Inspiring
    March 2, 2021

    Thanks for the find! I will check it out, doesn't do exactly what I want, but a great alternative!

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