Learning expression

[Suraiya A]

Hello,

I am facing a problem.

The more am getting deeper into expression world the more am seeing birds and stars around my head.  

It’s not that I do not understand. I DO understand. But sometimes it gives me hard time. As I have no understanding in coding, let alone in JAVA.

For example, you can use [value[1]] to refer ‘Y axis, ’ again you can also use [Position [1]] to refer same axis.

My question is-

Should I start learning JAVA to understand coding more in AE?

All the prominent motion designers whom work makes my jaw dropped learned JAVA? Do they all learn/know JAVA to understand expression in AE?

If that what it takes to be like them I would start learning JAVA.

Do you recommend it? I am asking the experts here.

OR all I have to do is practice? 

Thank you.

[Dan Ebberts · Accepted solution]

The two examples you mentioned (value[1] and position[1]) are not actually part of JavaScript, they are part of the AE-specific extensions, which would be covered in the Expressions chapter of AE help. To gain a mastery of expressions though, you do need to be familiar with both the AE extensions and the core language components of JavaScript (not the web-specific stuff). I'm not sure how essential it is to understand expressions to be a good motion designer with AE, but it couldn't hurt (the more tools you have in your arsenal, the better).

[Suraiya A]

Thank you so much for your kind reply.

Evrything that dazzels me in motion graphic all have expressions behind them. So, it's my understanding you must know a lot of expression to pull excellent animation in AE.

I will follow your advice. Thank you.