Setup/Flatten/Resetup differentiating sequence_data for the same effect or a copy of the effect

[r2d3_]

I am understanding how Setup/Flatten/Resetup/Setdown is working regarding the content of sequence_data.

However, I could not differentiate sequence_data being "copied" for the same instance, and be copy/pasted for a new instance.

In Premiere,  I could call PF_UtilitySuite4 GetFilterInstanceID to get the InstanceID to know to which instance the current "call" refer to.

Is there a way in AfterEffetcs to know for which instance I am being called ? Should I use something like the StreamSuite ?

Thanks in avance

[shachar carmi]

nope. no way of telling. it's an absolute nightmare. welcome to hell.

for one of my plug-ins, where i needed to tell if an instant's sequence data belonged to it originally or if it's a copy, i'd scan the layer on the first non-seuqnece_data call (because in AE sequence data calls aren't always associated to a certain instance, and sometimes the original instance is called for handling the new instance's business...), and compare instances. if two have the same id in the sequence data, i know the latter of the two must be a new copy and then i create some new data for it. 

[r2d3_]

Thanks @shachar carmi for your insights.

How do you do "compare instances. if two have the same id in the sequence data, i know the latter of the two must be a new copy and then i create some new data for it.". Where do you get this ID from ?

[shachar carmi]

the id is stored in the seuqnce data of each instance. it's read via AEGP_EffectCallGeneric, which the effect can receive and send back anything you set it up to.

note that you ABSOLUTELY can't call this from one instance to check out another instance of the same effect. it will call itself instead of the other instance... only an AEGP can call instances using this callback.