Social Ratio Auto resize

[Kenneth238531730ajq]

Hi.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to more efficiently produce creative for simultaneous export across all main ratios (1x1, 16x9, 4x5 & 9x16).

I currently start with a 1920x1920 comp with all Insta, Youtube etc safety cage overlay png's as the top layers. I then fill the whole canvas with, at the very least, a background colour solid.  Then I'll create the animation but obviously the layout, font sizes and position, and moving elements are more successful when the ratio is specifically designed for.  I have experimented with keeping all top-tier text and graphics contained within the 1x1 area but sometimes the 16x9 & 9x16 look too empty.

I therefore duplicate the 1920x1920 comp, use the Resize script and then manually amend the whole thing - very time-consuming... 

I have looked 'Smart Resize' from AeScripts but it only handles basic modification to logos and simple text.

Is there an easier automated or semi-automated way?

Thanks!

[nishu_kush]

Thanks for writing in. I am not aware of any specific feature that could resize your project in After Effects. However, Premiere Pro does have that feature: https://adobe.ly/499kNcN

If your video doesn't have embedded text, this feature could work pretty well. Hope it helps.

Thanks,
Nishu

[Kenneth238531730ajq]

Hi Nishu,

Thanks for the reply, although it is specifically an Ae resize & position solution I'm looking for.

I have a feeling it will be something using scripts and/or expressions alongside a particular kind of workflow...

Thanks anyway!

[Rick Gerard]

The automated way I have come up with is to create a MOGRT in a 4K comp for all of the graphics and animations and then add a simple Menu Control.

I have created about forty of these MOGRTs using single Expression Controls/Menu Control with menu items for HD, Social Square, Social Vertical, and 4K options in the Menu. A simple if/else expression for the Camera Zoom, scale, position, and sometimes rotation properties of all graphics and layers that need to be adjusted for the different sizes is added. The master MOGRT is in a 4K comp. The Essential Graphics workspace makes this a fairly simple task and simplifies the workflow. 

Here's an expression that changes the Camera Zoom in a complex comp to properly frame up all elements for the different frame sizes. I use zoom because perspective is controlled by camera position, and zoom (focal length) controls the framing. 

ctrl = thisComp.layer("Controller").effect("Comp Size")("Menu");
if (ctrl == 1){
	value / 2;
}
else if (ctrl == 2){
	value / 2.5;
}
else if (ctrl == 3){
	value
}

A simple expression to the Point of Interest for the camera to adjust the baseline of the graphics. Another similar expression tied to the Menu Control moves the position of a background layer, and the point of interest for some spotlights optimizes the lighting. A single-shape layer set as a guide layer with a couple of stroked rectangles gives me a good visual queue to set up the animations for each frame size. 

The video editing is done in Premiere Pro using the timeline templates for all social media workflows. The editor then adds the graphic to each of the timelines and selects the appropriate menu item. My clients love the workflow, and they can easily create different projects for different social media platforms while maintaining their branding standards in just a few minutes. 

Only one 4K comp is needed to set everything up, finalize the main comp, and export the MOGRT for all the projects you may need to produce. Premiere Pro makes editing the background content easier and faster than doing everything in After Effects.

If you are stuck with After Effects, a main 4K graphics comp with this menu control can be nested in your additional social media comps. The renders are then sent to the Media Encoder (most efficient for social media H.264 renders). 

[Kenneth238531730ajq]

Hi Rick,

Very interesting approach thank you. I'll investigate how this this workflow can be intergrated and manipulated to suit the kind of work we create.

Thanks again - really appreciate it.

Ken

[Roland Kahlenberg]

It's quite impossible to have a script do this automatically because different people set up their layers and keyframes differently and if expressions are involved then this makes it even more awkward. 

However, I do have a system - https://youtu.be/HHn2pwWqPWA
and it's quite robust. So, you can build your own ADAPTIVE TOOL/SYSTEM    if you can and others have - not just me.
I also teach this in my advanced AE Courses. I actually think I can automate a lot of the processes but there are a few gaps and I've not had any urgency to work further with it then with what I have. 

On to your Q, it's a lot like Web development - you have options for Full Code, Lo-Code and No-Code. And in terms of Adaptive and even Responsive features, these too are the options you have. 

[Kenneth238531730ajq]

Hi Roland,

I agree the idea of a one size fits all solution is quite impossible. Your workflow does help me illustrate this to those I have asking me why automation is not being employed in a blanket fashion.

Many thanks,

Ken

[Roland Kahlenberg]

Rick's got a nice solution going. Mine uses Expressions and recalculates almost everything based on the Comp Size. 

We both deliver what I call a Multi Format MoGRT - a single MoGRT delivering the same design+animation in different Frame Sizes/Formats. 

For Automated Workflows, you will be looking at AE as the renderer while for on-Demand use, MoGRTs are preferred as they can be used by an Editor/Producer/MarketingExec. 

For either workflow, you really want to apply Responsive Features to your assets - this is the secret sauce that makes the same design look and move the same with different/dynamic content; which also makes them ideal for automated workflows. 

Ask any Q you may have. More AE users need to dig into this sort of solutions because Canva and Adobe Express do this very well but lack the higher quality designs and animation that one would expect from AE.