Expression and Scripting Improvements in After Effects (October 2017).pdf

This article documents the new expression and scripting functionality included in in the October 2017 release of After Effects (version 15.0).

Summary of contents:

• Expression access to data in JSON files
  • Using JSON files (.json)
  • About the motion graphics JSON schema (.mgJSON)
  • Expression reference
    • Footage sourceText attribute
    • Footage sourceData attribute
    • Footage dataValue() method
    • Footage dataKeyCount() method
    • Footage dataKeyTimes() method
    • Footage dataKeyValues() method
  • Building a custom expression function library in a JSON file
• Expression access to path points on masks, Bezier shapes, and brush strokes
  • Expression reference
    • Path points() method
    • Path inTangents() method
    • Path outTangents() method
    • Path isClosed() method
    • Path pointOnPath() method
    • Path tangentOnPath() method
    • Path normalOnPath() method
    • Path createPath() method
  • Examples
• Create Nulls From Paths scriptUI panel
• Motion Graphics templates scripting access
  • Property canAddToMotionGraphicsTemplate() method
  • Property addToMotionGraphicsTemplate() method
  • CompItem motionGraphicsTemplateName attribute
  • CompItem exportAsMotionGraphicsTemplate() method
  • CompItem openInEssentialGraphics() method
• Scripting bug fixes