Updates to Keyframe Color Labels

[TimKurkoski]

As promised, we have some new functionality being added to the Keyframe Color Labels feature today in After Effects Beta, 22.5 build 25.  

Select Keyframe Label Groups 

More options are now available to give you more control when you want to select all the keyframes that have been labeled by a specific color. Right-click on a keyframe and notice the new ‘Select Keyframe Label Groups’ option. You can now choose your selection to include keyframes of the same label group: 

• On Selected Layers 
• On All Layers 
• Visible Keyframes on Selected Layers 

• Visible Keyframes on All Layers 

Visible keyframes means that the property for that layer has been twirled open in the Timeline panel. It does not relate to the zoom or scroll of the Timeline panel. 

For the first two options, keyframes that aren’t visible will be selected and their properties will be twirled open. 

KNOWN ISSUE: These commands do not work if more than one color group is selected, but the option is not properly disabling itself in this case. 

Scripting Hooks 

Keyframe color labels can now be set and read using the After Effects scripting API. The new keyLabel(keyIndex) and setLabelAtKey(keyIndex, labelIndex) methods of the Property object. 

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.keyLabel(keyIndex) 

Returns the labelIndex value assigned to the referenced keyframe as an integer. (0 for None, or 1 to 16 for one of the preset colors in the Labels preferences). Read only. 

app.project.item(index).layer(index).propertySpec.setLabelAtKey(keyIndex, labelIndex) 

Sets the labelIndex value for the referenced keyframe. (0 for None, or 1 to 16 for one of the preset colors in the Labels preferences). No return value. 

We hope all of these features add to the usefulness of this keyframe color labels. Keep your feedback coming! 

[TimKurkoski]

In today's release of After Effects Beta, 22.5 build 29, we have introduced another small improvement to the keyframe labeling workflow: a new Edit Label Colors command in the Label menu.

This command opens the Preferences dialog to the Labels page, making it easier for you to find and edit the default label colors.

This command appears anywhere the Labels menu is used, so it also appears in the Edit menu > Labels, as well as when you choose a label for a layer or project item.