Toggle GPU & JS Engine Icons

[_nicdean]

It's not readily apparent if GPU or the JavaScript Engine are enabled in a project, which can lead to slow performance and expression errors.  This is most relevant for users who forget to check their “Project Settings” upon inheriting a project file. This happens with team projects, where project files are passed around between multiple users and multiple machines.

I'd love to see two small icons added at the bottom of the Project panel, between the Color Depth icon and the Trash Can icon.

1. These icons have a green top-right corner when set to "GPU" or "JavaScript."
2. The icon corner appears yellow when set to "Mercury Software" or "Legacy ExtendScript".
3. Clicking either icon opens up the relevant "Project Settings" tab.
4. Alt-Clicking the icon toggles the setting project-wide.

[Mylenium]

Absolutely. For the JS issue I think it won't be one for long as no doubt they're going to kill off legacy support not too far in the future, but the GPU usage could certainly be made more clear instead of hiding behind Fast Draft modes and in the prefs.

Mylenium

[JohnColombo]

Thanks @_nicdean! These are good suggestions.

In fact, the first is already done 🙂 While not as clear as text might be, that rocket icon becomes disabled if the project is set to Software Only rendering. You can also click directly on that icon to open up the Project Setting and enable the GPU.

GPU disabled (left) and enabled (right) :

The suggestion for the expression engine is a good one as well. Though, to be honest, I personally prefer this idea to help reduce the usage of the Legacy engine and avoid the frustration that comes with it entirely. Not that it is an either-or situation, but trying to think more holistically. 

Thanks again,

- John, After Effects Engineering Team 

[_nicdean]

Good to know about the rocket! Thanks for acknowledging, John. I agree with defaulting to the JS Engine as well.