Paste expression onto Groups within shapes layers?

[andrewdraws]

Hello!  I am controlling Trim Paths with a slider control:

thisComp.layer("Trim Paths Adjustment 1").effect("End")("Slider")

I have many shape layers. Each contains many groups (individual strokes)

Is there a way to "paste" this expression onto groups within a shape layer?

Or do I have to do it manually?

 

[Jose Panadero]

You have a Copy Expression Only under the Edit menu but you have to add a trim path operator to all of your groups before pasting the expression in start or end parameters.

[andrewdraws]

Yes... i see.  I have to select the Groups, apply trim paths.

Then "Copy expression only" (from another layer)

and then I can't just select the layer and "Paste" , I have to select all the groups, and then "paste"

Got it!  thanks.

[Jose Panadero]

Maybe it is a good idea to set a trim path operator linked to a expression and copy and paste the trim path operator to all groups. This way you can avoid copying and pasting the expression. I think it is a quicker way to do it.

[andrewdraws]

Gah! ... I don't know what that means, "A Trim Path Operator"  ... could you please explain?

Thanks!

[andrewdraws]

Also!  Let's say I have a Shape layer Full of Groups. 

and I want to apply a simple Scale change. So I can make an Adjustment layer with a Slider for Scale Value. 

But unlike what we did before with Trim Paths, there doesn't seem to be a way to Paste the exptession directly onto the Scale properties of each of those groups. 

Any ideas?

[Rick Gerard]

You can use the keyboard search function to find specific properties, select the property, hold down the Ctrl/Cmnd key and select more of the same properties like Shape 1/Transform/Scale, and then paste a copied value or expression to all of the layers. If you have a bunch of sliders to control something like trim paths then you'll need to write your expression to use the hierarchy instead of the effect name to grab the slider so the controls will be properly linked.

If we saw a screenshot* of the whole UI with the modified properties of the layer you are working on (press 'uu') and saw what you had and what your expression looked like, we could point you in the right direction. I have a bunch of animation presets that use Index - 1 or the Shape Layer Group reference instead of property names so they always work. We just need to know exactly what you are tyring to do.

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