Useful Assistants Release Notes

These release notes cover the following topics:

• Revision History
• Known Issues

Revision History

Version 1.7 — April 5, 2005

Note: If you are upgrading from Useful Assistants v1.0 or v1.1, the installer will move the existing scripts folder into a backup folder, and then install the new scripts folder. After the installation, you can copy any custom scripts or scripts downloaded from the Profound eXchange from the backup folder into the new scripts folder. Do not copy any existing scripts. Otherwise, the newer versions of those scripts will be overwritten by the existing scripts.

Note: If you own our Useful Things plug-in, you will need to upgrade to Useful Things v1.6 or later to use it with Useful Assistants v1.7.

New or Changed Functionality (for all users):

• New assistants:
  • (AE60+) Layers > Add Solid Below Layer — Adds a colored solid layer below the selected AV layer in the composition.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Arrange Layers As Grid — Arranges the selected layers in a grid, centered within the composition.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Create Solid Colors Grid — Creates a grid of solid colored layers using an adjustable color selection scheme.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Distribute Layers With Gap — Distributes layers horizontally or vertically using a specific gap distance between the layers’ bounding boxes.
  • Layers > Markers > Add Markers — Adds markers at uniformly or randomly placed intervals on the selected layers.
  • Layers > Markers > Identify Layer Cuts As Markers — Creates a new solid layer containing markers for each layer cut point (in-point, for now) in the current composition.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Markers > Identify Text Keyframes As Markers — Creates “overview” markers on the selected text layers at the locations of Source Text keyframes.
  • Layers > Markers > Split Multiple At Layer Markers — Splits multiple selected layers in the current composition at the layer-time markers on another layer.
  • Layers > Renumber Layers — Renames the selected layers using a common base name and numeric suffix.
  • Layers > Shift Layers Randomly — Randomly offsets the selected layers.
  • Layers > Shuffle Layers — Reorders layers randomly.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Text > Find and Replace Text — Searches for text in text layers, replacing each occurrence with the replacement text.
  • Layers > Trim Layers to Current Time — Trims the selected layers to the current time indicator.
  • (AE65+) Masks > Track Mask Vertex — Associates a selected mask vertex with a motion tracker track point.
  • (AE60+) Reports > Text Layers Report — Saves a report of the text layers in a project to the Clipboard or file.
• Updated assistants:
  • 3D > Layers > 3D Layer Fit — Now works on multiple selected layers.
  • Keyframes > Create Keys From Image — Now works on multiple selected layers.
  • Layers > Fit Layer to Mask — Now can work on multiple layers.
  • Layers > Re-center Anchor Point — Fixed problem with text layers whose positions are adjusted by the Character/Paragraph palette settings.
  • Layers > Re-center to Anchor Point — Fixed problem with text layers whose positions are adjusted by the Character/Paragraph palette settings.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Shift Layers to Time — Added more options for shifting the layers’ in point or out point.

Note: This version contains no core plug-in changes. As a result, the version number in the About box and returned by the ua_version constant (used by assistant writers) will still be 1.5, not 1.7.

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Version 1.6 — December 24, 2004

Note: If you are upgrading from Useful Assistants v1.0 or v1.1, the installer will move the existing scripts folder into a backup folder, and then install the new scripts folder. After the installation, you can copy any custom scripts or scripts downloaded from the Profound eXchange from the backup folder into the new scripts folder. Do not copy any existing scripts. Otherwise, the newer versions of those scripts will be overwritten by the existing scripts.

Note: If you own our Useful Things plug-in, you will need to upgrade to Useful Things v1.6 or later to use it with Useful Assistants v1.6.

New or Changed Functionality (for all users):

• New assistants:
  • Expressions > Switch Expressions On or Off By Text — Searches compositions for any expressions containing a specific text string, and turns them on or off as directed.
  • Layers > Distribute Layers — Distributes the layers along the X and Y (and Z for 3D layers) using either uniform or random spacing.
  • Layers > Move Anchor Point — Moves the anchor point of the selected layers to various locations.
  • Layers > Pre-compose Layers Separately — Pre-composes multiple layers individually.
  • Layers > Re-center to Anchor Point — Centers the selected layers to their respective current anchor points.
  • Layers > Scale Layers to Pixel Bounds — Scales solid/video layers to fit the specified pixel dimensions.
  • Layers > Shift Layers to Time — Shifts the in point of the selected layers to either the current time indicator or the start of the composition.
  • Layers > Stagger Layers — Offsets subsequent selected layers by an equal number of frames.
  • Layers > Markers > Snap Markers to Frames — Moves markers on the selected layers to the nearest frame boundaries.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Text > Rename Text As Source Text — Renames the selected text layers' names to their original source text names, updating expression references if needed.
  • (AE65+) Project > Find in Render Queue — Searches the render queue for items matching a specific text string.
  • Properties > Change Color Property Value — Changes the color of the selected color property based on different color wheel and hue methods.
  • Properties > Cycle Property Value — Cycles the options in the selected list menu property, number in a slider property, or on/off state for checkbox property.
• Updated assistants:
  • (AE60+) Compositions > Save Frames — Clarified that images are saved as 8 bits-per-channel, not 16.
  • Layers > Distribute Layers in Time — Fixed time accuracy problem with long layers.
  • Layers > Fade Layers Up and Down — Added option to apply Easy Ease to the keyframes.
  • Layers > Process Layers — Added option to match layers by layer duration.
  • Layers > Reorder Layers — Added option to order layers by Position X, Y, or Z values.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Text > Update Text From File — Added ability to define text changes over time.
  • Reports > Applied Effects — Added option to display property values.

Note: This version contains no core plug-in changes. As a result, the version number in the About box and returned by the ua_version constant (used by assistant writers) will still be 1.5, not 1.6.

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Version 1.5 — May 24, 2004

Note: If you are upgrading from Useful Assistants v1.0 or v1.1, the installer will move the existing scripts folder into a backup folder, and then install the new scripts folder. After the installation, you can copy any custom scripts or scripts downloaded from the Profound eXchange from the backup folder into the new scripts folder. Do not copy any existing scripts. Otherwise, the newer versions of those scripts will be overwritten by the existing scripts.

Note: If you own our Useful Things plug-in, you will need to upgrade to Useful Things v1.6 or later to use it with Useful Assistants v1.5.

New or Changed Functionality (for all users):

• Fixed problem reading presets in some After Effects configurations, and crashing when exiting After Effects 6.5.
• Beep sound should no longer play on After Effects startup if you have presets defined that have prerequisites.
• To fix a problem with Useful Things, we had to change the way we use the Python software. As a result, the Refresh List menu command in the UA Assistants palette menu is no longer available. To update the list of assistants, restart After Effects.
• New assistants:
  • 3D > Lights > Slave to Master Light — Slaves multiple instances of a light to a master instance of the light.
  • (AE65+) Compositions > Create Paint Crop Proxy — Renders a copy of the current region of interest for use when painting on high-resolution (2K/Film) footage.
  • (AE60+) Compositions > Save Frames — Saves frames to disk in various image file formats.
  • Effects > Slave to Master Effect — Slaves multiple instances of an effect to a master instance of the effect.
  • (AE60+) Expressions > Create Wiggle Controls — Creates expression controls to wiggle the selected property.
  • Layers > Distribute Layers in Time — Sequences the layers between the topmost and bottommost selected layers in time.
  • Layers > Fade Layers Randomly — Variation of Fade Layers assistant, with random on/off hold times.
  • Layers > Process Layers — Performs operations on layers matching specific criteria.
  • Layers > Re-center Anchor Point — Centers the Anchor Point for the selected layers.
  • Layers > Slave to Master Material — Slaves the Material Options for multiple layers to the corresponding properties of a master layer.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Text > Change Text Case — Changes the case of the selected text layers.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Text > Update Text From File — Updates text layers based on an external data file.
  • Masks > Set Mask First Vertex - Sets the first vertex for all Mask Shape keyframes on the selected mask.
  • (AE60+) Project > Find Missing Effects — Finds and selects missing effects in a project.
  • (AE65+) Project > Increment and Save — A variation of the existing Increment and Save Copy assistant, but actually renames the current project.
  • (AE60+) Reports > Solid Colors Report — Creates a report of and composition for the solid colors used in the project.
• Updated assistants:
  • (AE60+) 3D > Layers > Arrange in Z — Added support for text layers.
  • 3D > Objects > Create Cube — Added Use Alpha Add Blend Mode? parameter.
  • Expressions > Paste — Fixed pasting of incomplete multiple line expressions on non-U.S. Windows systems.
  • Layers > Cross Fade Layers — Fixed Use Overlap option not working if the overlap was less than the disabled Fade Duration value, and also enabled Use Overlap by default.
  • Layers > Gap Detector — Fixed a problem detecting too many gaps in certain situations.
  • Layers > Paste Relative — Fixed the Top of Composition option so that it works in After Effects 6.5.
  • Layers > Slip Layers — Added support for text layers.
  • Layers > Trim Layers — Fixed incorrect trimming of stretched layers.
  • Layers > Trim Layers to Work Area — Fixed incorrect trimming of stretched layers.
  • Reports > Applied Effects — Added effect matchName to the report.
  • Reports > Installed Effects — Added effect matchName to the report.
  • Time > Change Time — Fixed problem with the Next Layer In/Out Point option.
• Fixed a crash if you tried to pre-compose a layer (using the “Move all attributes into the new composition” option) that contains Uber expression controls, such as those created by the Make Uber GUI assistant.
• (Win) Use of the Silver color scheme for Windows XP no longer causes the selected assistant to be unreadable.

New or Changed Functionality (for assistant writers):

• The ua_version constant has been updated to 1.5.
• The ae_version constant returns 6.5 when running on After Effects 6.5.
• (AE65+) New functionality added for After Effects 6.5:
• ae.newProject() method — Creates a new project.
  Note: The project is not created until after the assistant finishes.
• ae.openProject() method — Opens a previously saved project.
  Note: The project is not opened until after the assistant finishes.
• CollectionItem.Type_StreamRef constant — Identifies a selected dynamic stream.
• Composition.frameDuration attribute — Returns the duration of a single frame as a Time object.
• Composition.duplicate() method — Returns a complete copy of the composition.
• Composition.setSize() method — Resizes the composition to the specified dimensions (as a Point value).
• Effect.duplicate() method — Returns a complete copy of the effect.
• Footage pulldown phase constants for 24P Advance options:
  • Footage.Phase_WWWSW
  • Footage.Phase_WWSWW
  • Footage.Phase_WSWWW
  • Footage.Phase_SWWWW
  • Footage.Phase_WWWWS
• Layer.Flag_GuideLayer constant — Identifies the layer as a guide layer.
• Layer.sourceID attribute — Returns the layer’s source item ID.
• Layer.duplicate() method — Returns a complete copy of the layer.
• Mask.duplicate() method — Returns a complete copy of the mask.
• Project.isDirty attribute — Identifies if the project has changed (True) or not (False).
• Project.saveAs() method — Saves the current project under a new name, and updates the project name in After Effects.
• RenderQueueItem.comp attribute — Returns the composition item for the render queue item.
• Item.setParent() method — Moves the project item to the specified folder.
• Stream.validInterpolations attribute — Returns a flag mask containing the valid interpolation types for a stream. Use the following stream constants:
  • Stream.KeyInterpMask_None
  • Stream.KeyInterpMask_Linear
  • Stream.KeyInterpMask_Bezier
  • Stream.KeyInterpMask_Hold
  • Stream.KeyInterpMask_Custom
  • Stream.KeyInterpMask_Any
• Added Command.undoable attribute. Set to True (in the command’s __init__ function) if your assistant calls the ae.newProject() or ae.openProject() method or Render Queue functionality.
• Improved path checking in Footage() contructors.
• (AE65+) Layer.Flag_Adjustment option for the Layer.setFlag() method now works.
• Selected effects on multiple layers now appear in the Collection (list of CollectionItem objects representing the selected project items), but only if the Effect Controls window is open.
• (AE65+) Selected vertices on masks other than the first mask now appear in the Collection (list of CollectionItem objects representing the selected project items).
• New utility functions:
  • utilities > comps.getPreferredTimeScale() — Returns a Time value whose scale attribute is the preferred time scale for a specific frame rate.
  • utilities > keyframes.getLayerKeyframes() — Returns a list of KeyframeItem objects for the specified layer.
• Updated utility functions:
  • utilities > layers.setLayerInPoint() — Improved handling of stretched layers.
  • utilities > layers.setLayerOutPoint() — Improved handling of stretched layers.
• The Scripting Reference has been updated with information describing the new features and capabilities in this version.

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Version 1.2 — Feb. 6, 2004

Note: If you are upgrading from a previous version of Useful Assistants, the installer will move the existing scripts folder into a backup folder, and then install the new scripts folder. After the installation, you can copy any custom scripts or scripts downloaded from the Profound eXchange from the backup folder into the new scripts folder. Do not copy any existing scripts. Otherwise, the newer versions of those scripts will be overwritten by the existing scripts.

New or Changed Functionality (for all users):

• New assistants:
  • 3D > Layers > Arrange in XY — Arranges the selected layers along the x and y axes, with optional increasing or decreasing scaling of offsets.
  • Layers > Create Measuring Solid — Creates a solid layer that can be used to measure distances in a composition.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Create Solid From Mask — Creates a solid layer to fit within a mask.
  • Layers > Fit Layer to Mask — Scales and repositions the current footage or solid layer to fit within a mask.
  • Layers > Pre-compose Layers and Trim — Pre-composes the selected layers, but also trims them to the combined duration of the layers.
  • Layers > Select Layers — Selects layers in the current composition based on the selected criteria.
  • Layers > Slice Layer — Slices the selected video or solid layer into a grid of layers.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Text > Change Text Color — Changes the fill color for the selected text layers.
  • Masks > Center Mask — Centers the selected masks on their layers.
  • Masks > Change Mask Settings — Modify the mask settings for multiple masks.
  • Masks > Create Ellipse Mask — Creates circle or ellipse masks.
  • Masks > Edit Mask Vertex — Edit the coordinates of a mask vertex.
• Updated assistants:
  • Compositions > Add Solid at Bottom — Added Start At parameter. Fixed problem with pre-composition layers.
  • Compositions > Create Web Gallery — Added Timecode, Index Number, and Layer Name caption options; and added Output Folder control.
  • Effects > Switch Effects On or Off By Name — No longer tries to check camera and light layers.
  • Layers > Smart Rename Layer — Now updates expressions on mask and effect properties.
  • Layers > Stretch Layers to Fit — Added ability to center layer in composition, and re-center anchor point.
  • Layers > Markers > Sequence Layers to Markers — Fixed the frame duration saved in the marker comment.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Text > Change Text — Improved support for accented characters.
  • Masks > Create Polygon Mask — Added Target parameter for updating existing masks.
  • Masks > Create Rounded Mask- Added Target parameter for updating existing masks.

New or Changed Functionality (for assistant writers):

• The ua_version constant has been updated to 1.2.
• New utility modules and functions:
  • utilities > time — Functions for working with time values.
• Updated utility modules and functions:
  • utilities > masks — Added getMaskBoundingBox() function.
  • utilities > ps — Fixed problem with missing math module import.
• Fixed a memory leak with the particle systems support.
• The Scripting Reference has been updated with information describing the new features and capabilities in this version.

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Version 1.1 — Oct. 20, 2003

New or Changed Functionality (for all users):

• New assistants:
  • Compositions > RAM Preview From Here — Plays a RAM Preview between custom start and end times.
  • (AE60+) Effects > Switch Effects On or Off By Name — Mutes or unmutes effects based on the start of an effect’s name.
  • (AE60+) Expressions > Make Uber GUI — Create custom expression controls using Useful Assistants and the Profound Effects Uber Controller plug-in (included in version 1.1).
  • (AE60+) Footage > Create Still Proxies — Batch creates still image proxies of the selected footage in the Project window.
  • (AE60+) Footage > Unlink Proxies — Batch removes proxies from the selected footage in the Project window.
  • (AE60+) Keyframes > Create Keys From Image — Builds a set of expression controls then fills them in with keyframes based upon image data found in the selected layer.
  • Keyframes > Remove Constant Keyframes — Removes keyframes whose values do not change over time.
  • Layers > Auto-Orient — Sets the auto-orientation of the selected layers.
  • Layers > Cross Fade Layers — Creates a trimmed fade between layers.
  • Layers > Fade Layers Up and Down — Like Fade Layers, but using keyframes.
  • Layers > Gap Detector — Finds gaps in the selected layers, places where no layer overlaps.
  • Layers > Move Top Layer Above Selected — Moves the top layer in the composition above the selected layer
  • Layers > Paste Relative — Pastes the layers on the clipboard relative to the selected layer(s) in the current composition.
  • Layers > Snap Layers in Time — Snaps the selected layers to either the current-time indicator or the start of the composition, preserving the relative in points of the layers.
  • Layers > Stretch Layers to Fit — Scales the selected solid or video layers to fit within the composition, preserving each layer’s frame aspect ratio.
  • Layers > Trim Layers — Trims layers by relative frame adjustments.
  • Layers > Trim Layers to Work Area — Trims layers to the composition's work area.
  • Layers > Trim Pre-composition Layers — Trims layers based on the earliest in point and latest out point of the pre-composed layers.
  • Layers > Markers > Fade Layers Using Markers — Creates an expression to automatically fade a layer up/down by using layer markers.
  • Layers > Markers > Sequence Layers to Markers — Like After Effects’ Sequence Layers command, but based on layer markers.
  • (AE60+) Layers > Text > Ripple Text Layers — Shifts the selected text or AV layers earlier or later in time.
    If you are working on a title sequence, with each title a separate text or AV (solid or video) layer, and need to add a new title in the sequence -- i.e., shift (ripple) the titles earlier or later in time, but not affect the timing or locations of available title "slots" in the sequence, use this assistant.
  • Masks > Close Mask — Closes the selected open masks.
  • Masks > Join Masks — Joins selected masks into a single mask.
  • Masks > Open Mask — Opens the selected closed masks.
  • Masks > Reverse Mask Direction — Reverses the order of vertices in a mask.
• Updated assistants:
  • Compositions > Add Solid at Bottom — Fixed problem in AE 5.5 when the bottom layer of a composition was a footage layer.
  • Compositions > Create Web Gallery — Increased the precision of time values.
  • Compositions > Recursive Comp Duration Change — Increased the precision of time values.
  • Layers > Cut Detector — Now handles offset layers.
  • Layers > Make Still Frame — Updated with marker support.
  • Layers > Markers > Remove Markers — Added support for removing markers inside or outside of a layer’s in- and out-point, inside or outside of the composition’s in- and out-point (work area), and before or after the current-time indicator.
  • Layers > Markers > Split At Layer Markers — New Stagger Upward? parameter for moving the right-side layer above the left-side.
  • Layers > Reorder Layers — Added By Layer In Point option.
  • Layers > Shift Layers — increased the precision of time values.
  • (AE60+) Project > Delete All Unused Items — Muted layers used as track mattes are no longer deleted.
  • (AE60+) Project > Increment and Save Copy — Renamed assistant (from Increment and Save); leading zeros in the name are now preserved.
  • Time > Change Time — Improved the accuracy of the layer in/out point options.
• Profound Effects Uber Controller plug-in, installed as part of Useful Assistants v1.1, provides the following additional expression control types that you can use in your compositions. These expression controls are available in the Effect > Expression Controls submenu:
  • PE Color + A — Color control and Slider (A) control
  • PE Point + Z — Point control and Slider (Z) control
  • PE RGB — Three Slider (R, G, B) controls
  • PE XYZ — Three Point (X, Y, Z) controls
  Unlike the standard expression controls, these custom controls combine several controls under a single expression effect instead of a separate expression effect for each control.
• Presets are now retained (again) between After Effects sessions.
• You can now display the Info dialog box from an assistant’s settings dialog box by clicking the info (?) button next to the Name field. This button is not available in the Create Preset or Change Settings dialog boxes.
• The UA Assistants and UA Presets palette now have a minimum width and height, which fixes a problem of not easily restoring a minimized palette.
• Tall settings dialog boxes are now centered vertically on the screen.

New or Changed Functionality (for assistant writers):

• The ua_version constant has been updated to 1.1.
• Command.setTimer() method is not longer restricted to the Command’s __init__() method.
• Command.hidden attribute added — identifies if the command is currently hidden or not.
• Command.timeout attribute added — returns the command timer’s timeout value, if any.
• Composition.setWorkArea() now works when the start and duration have large scale values.
• Footage.depth now works correctly for 8- and 16-bit grayscale images.
• Footage.getPath() — specifying an invalid frame number now causes an exception instead of causing After Effects to become unstable.
• (AE60+) Item.render() method now requires After Effects 6.0 or later.
• Render queue and output module template support added via RenderQueue, RenderQueueItem, and OutputModule objects.
• Particle system support (including Matrix and Quaternion objects) for simulating particle systems. You can use this to position layers with a particle system.
• (AE60+) New Stream methods: beginAddKeyframes() and endAddKeyframes() — Enclose multiple setValue() calls with these methods for more efficient creation of multiple keyframes.
• New utility modules and functions:
  • utilities > fileio — Reads text files and returns a list of strings.
  • utilities > ps — Contains helper function for working with particle systems.
  • utilities > renderQueue — Contains helper class for working with render queue operations.
  • utilities > uberController — Contains helper class for working with the Profound Effects Uber Controller plug-in.
  • utilities > waveGenerators — Contains functions for generating values along Sine, Square, Triangle, and two Sawtooth curves.
• Updated utility modules and functions:
  • utilities > keyframes — Added deleteAllKeyframes() and getKeyframeIndex() functions.
  • utilities > layers — Added isSolidLayer(), setLayerInPoint(), setInPointAndDurationSensibly(), setLayerOutPoint(), and setLayerDuration() functions.
• (Mac only) The ScriptCore plug-in has been rewritten to address “out of memory” errors in the PEI Script Console window.
• The Scripting Reference has been updated with information describing the new features and capabilities in this version.

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Version 1.0 — Aug. 4, 2003

• First public release.

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Known Issues

No known issues at this time.

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