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Nelin
Participating Frequently
August 17, 2012
Answered

Creating custom Layer Streams with AEGP

  • August 17, 2012
  • 1 reply
  • 1140 views

Hi! I want my AEGP to store hidden data for each layer in a comp and I only understand how to do add and modify streams with effects. What is the correct way to create extra hidden streams to a layer using an AEGP? Also is there any way besides a hidden stream to add custom flags to layers?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Petter

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer shachar carmi

well, there are streams you can add to a layer, but these are some very specific streams.

this group of streams are referred to as dynamic streams.

strokes from the paint tool and text animators are such streams.

i think you can make them hidden, but i doubt any of these will solve your problem of associating data to a layer.

arbitrary data can be added to a layer.

you can put an effect on the layer and keep your data there, or write your data as text to the layer comments, or... write you data into a layer marker comments... or... i have no more ideas as how to keep the data with the layer.

alternatively, you can keep the data for all layers at some other place, such as with the AEGP itself.

in general, there are two ways of looking at this problem.

1. the data needs to keep across sessions.

2. the data is temporary and can be regenerated if needed.

case 1 is problematic.

look at this thread:

http://forums.adobe.com/message/2837630#2837630

it talks about how to save non-layer effect data with the project.

for case 2, i'd go with keeping the data with the AEGP.

just keep each layer's id, and it's comp's project item id, so you could identify each layer's saved data.

1 reply

shachar carmiCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 17, 2012

well, there are streams you can add to a layer, but these are some very specific streams.

this group of streams are referred to as dynamic streams.

strokes from the paint tool and text animators are such streams.

i think you can make them hidden, but i doubt any of these will solve your problem of associating data to a layer.

arbitrary data can be added to a layer.

you can put an effect on the layer and keep your data there, or write your data as text to the layer comments, or... write you data into a layer marker comments... or... i have no more ideas as how to keep the data with the layer.

alternatively, you can keep the data for all layers at some other place, such as with the AEGP itself.

in general, there are two ways of looking at this problem.

1. the data needs to keep across sessions.

2. the data is temporary and can be regenerated if needed.

case 1 is problematic.

look at this thread:

http://forums.adobe.com/message/2837630#2837630

it talks about how to save non-layer effect data with the project.

for case 2, i'd go with keeping the data with the AEGP.

just keep each layer's id, and it's comp's project item id, so you could identify each layer's saved data.

Nelin
NelinAuthor
Participating Frequently
August 17, 2012

I guess keeping track of it all in the plug would work since layer ID:s never change. Sounds good, thanks for the input now I know where to go from here.

Nelin
NelinAuthor
Participating Frequently
August 17, 2012

By the way, I think you can only change comments for items with the SDK, not layers. Am I right? You can do it with scripting though.

Petter