How to limit the number of decimals a Slider shows

[JoshuaLisciarelli]

Hi all!

I'm currently working on a timer in AE — it will be used for SAT tests, so I have to make sure that it keeps perfect time. Here's the code I've used to create it:

slider=effect("Slider Control")("Slider");
sec=slider%60;
min=Math.floor(slider/60);

function addZero(X){
if(X<10)return"0"+X else return X;
}
addZero(min)+":"+addZero(sec)

While this function does keep perfect time, it displays all the decimals in between each whole second (00:00.96666666...). Is there a code I can insert that limits the displayed decimals to just the minutes and seconds, and doesn't round up the numbers? (I've found using    slider = Math.round(effect("Slider Control")("Slider"));    rounds the time up and displays the seconds before they should. EX: 00:02 shows up at 00:01:15 instead of 00:02:00)

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, have a great day!
— Joshua L

[Mike_Abbott]

Would replacing your second line with this help:

sec=Math.floor(slider%60);

But - wouldn't it be easier just to use the built in expression 'time' function to do this job? Or do you need the flexibility of this keyframeable approach?

[JoshuaLisciarelli]

That did the trick!! Thank you so much Mike!

I've actually never used that function before. Admittedly, I'm a bit new to After Effects. How does that work?

Or would you happen to have a link to a tutorial that explains how that works?

Thanks again, have a great day!
— Joshua L

[Mike_Abbott]

Just type : time

into the expression field of a text source property. Then hit the spacebar. It will output the 'current time' in seconds : )

PS: If you can hit 'correct answer' on my first reply that will mark this thread as answered.

[JoshuaLisciarelli]

How that sounds really helpful actually. Thanks for taking the time to explain!

Will do!

[Roland Kahlenberg]

That Expression will not work with AE's Javascript engine - it will throw up an error. Where did you get this script?

[Mike_Abbott · Accepted solution]

OK:

slider=effect("Slider Control")("Slider");
sec=Math.floor(slider%60);
min=Math.floor(slider/60);

function addZero(X){
if(X<10){
return"0"+X
}else{
return X
}
}
addZero(min)+":"+addZero(sec)

[Roland Kahlenberg]

I strongly approve your OK. 🙂

[Mike_Abbott]

: )