How can I hide an effect parameter?

[SirPentor75]

I have an effect with a couple deprecated parameters, and other effects with hidden parameters I set programmatically. I don't want the customer to be able to see them. Setting PF_PUI_NO_ECW_UI in the parameter's ui_flags removes it from the effect window, but not from the timeline window. Setting AEGP_DynStreamFlag_HIDDEN seems to do the trick, but I'm unclear as to when to set it. Currently I'm setting it during param update, but that doesn't appear to cover (for example) the case of opening an existing file.

Is there a well-known way of handling this? Thanks.

[shachar carmi · Accepted solution]

set it during PF_Cmd_UPDATE_PARAMS_UI.

it should get called when a project loads and the effect is shown for the first time.

there are more brutal ways, but this really should work.

[SirPentor75]

that worked like a charm! thanks.

[SirPentor75]

I'm having more trouble with this. I'm setting the hidden flag during UPDATE_PARAMS_UI. For most properties this seems fine, but under certain circumstances for arbitrary parameters, the owner-drawn portion of the effect is still there. While handling the draw event I can check whether the stream is hidden (and it is) and not draw anything, but the space is still there for it.

Near as I can tell it, it works correctly when we load the project from disk, but if we apply the effect anew, even though the hide code is being run, it the owner-draw portion effect is there. Any ideas?

[shachar carmi]

i know this problem, but sadly i have no solution for it.

it's a bug in AE, who's behavior changes between AE versions.

if you duplicate your effect, or a layer with your effect on it, then the

new instance will have that problem.

if you duplicate that new instance again, then the new new instance will be

ok.

sorry. nothing else i can help with on this one. (besides referring you to

email zac lam)

[SirPentor75]

thanks for the info.

[octaviosa]

I'm reviving old threads as I enconter the same issues already reported 🙂

I got into this issue some time ago as well. I know it's 2025, but the bug is still there in the latest AE.

What I do here is to set AEGP_DynStreamFlag_HIDDEN 2 times, the first time the inverse of what I need, and then the correct value. This seem to work.