A script that creates keyframes in real-time

[Mr. Andersons]

I find motion sketch and puppet pin position recording very useful in my work, however I would like to have the ability to record(create keyframes) any changes that I make to any values in real time. Something like Cappucino in Cinema 4D.

My question is - is it even possible to create a script like this for after effects? I fear that there might be some road blocks in AE engine that does not let you create keyframes and make changes while playing the scene.

[Mylenium]

Plain and simple - no. Scripts are still (mostly) modal and the HTML panel infrastructure equally only provides very limited access to internal events. At this point you realyl would have to create a plug-in, but even then limitations would apply, as AE still bogs down notably with large numbers of keyframes, especially when they are visible in the timeline.

Mylenium

[Jose Panadero]

This is not exactly what your are lookin for but you can activate Auto-Keyframe in the Options Menu located in the upper right side if the Timeline tab (those three lines). This will not record all the keyframes at realtime but it will create KF every time you change any parameters in the timeline. Maybe can be useful in your workflow

[Roland Kahlenberg]

During a Preview, AE allows you to make realtime changes to a property's value, regardless if the property has keyframes. The new value will be recognized where the CTI is placed. While value changes can be made in realtime, AE's Preview will of course, only play the sequence/change(s) in realtime after all the 'new/changed' frames have been cached. Hence, for better performance, such practices are better applied to keyframes for basic properties and where the layer involved is singularly soloed.

[Mr. Andersons]

So maybe it would be possible to create a script which constantly moves the CTI and you could just edit the values while the CTI is moving?

[Roland Kahlenberg]

The 'script' already exists - it's called PREVIEW.

Initiate a PREVIEW. Place the TIme Indicator where you THINK you want a new keyframe or on a keyframe where you will like to make a change. Then just commit to the change by scrubbing the property's value. Here's a TIP - during a PREVIEW, if you want to move a keyframe, in time, or the Work Area's in-out points, hold down the SHIFT key. Holding down the SHIFT key prevents AE from stopping the PREVIEW.

I should add that while this workflow is technically available, it may not be the most intuitive under most use-cases.