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3D Layer Distributor
Version: 1.2 Sign up to be notified by email when a new version is posted
Distributes layers in 3D space within set ranges (you can set the ranges by editing the user variables at the top the script).
This script is used as part of this tutorial hosted on Aetuts+
Version History:
1.2 Added keyframe and individual axis controls 01/09
1.1 Fixed Random Function 02/08
1.0 Initial Release 07/06
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I’m trying to make this work but it doesn’t seem to. I put the script in the ScriptUI Panels folder. Then I ran the script in CS 5.5 but all that shows up is an undocked panel with nothing in it. Am I missing something?
You install it in the Scripts folder. Watch this tutorial for some tips on how to use it: http://ae.tutsplus.com/tutorials/motion-graphics/cinematic-opening-title-redux-day-1/
Thanks a lot! Thank you
hey i am a mac does this script run also for mac?
Yes, it runs on both Mac and Windows.
I tried to get this script to run from a normal web page so that I could make a gif file from it to run random text letters but it would not work…..why is that?
Because this is an Adobe After Effects script not a web script.
Please pardon my ignorance but I’m having trouble figuring out how to use the effect as a preset (as shown in the AE Tuts demo). I can run the script just fine in AE for a quick random 3D distribution, but I can’t then access it as a preset with all the nifty in-program customizable parameters.
Any advice appreciated!
You can set the variables by double clicking on the script file and setting them to whatever you’d like. This is shown in the Aetuts+ tutorial. Are you trying to do something else?
Hi Lloyd wow thanks for your lightning-quick response!
Maybe my confusion stems from the fact that it’s just two ways to do the same thing..?
In the AE Tuts demo they’re able to change the parameters inside After Effects via an effects control panel, as opposed to changing the same parameters via scripting in ExtendScript. Two methods to do the same thing? Is there a way (that I seem to be missing) to change the parameters within AE as they appear to do in the demo?
Either way it looks I can do what I need to do, and thanks for this killer effect!!
I think you are confusing two things. It’s been a while since I made that tutorial but I think I hooked some stuff up to an expression slider which has nothing to do with this script. You might want to give the tutorial another watch. This script can only be controlled from the script file. If you want a UI within After Effects check out this script: http://aescripts.com/distributelayers/ which is similar to this one but has a UI.
Everything is working great now including me! Thanks for this wonderful effects and your patience.
I will. thank you
The Effects panel is blank and after selecting layers and pressing “u” no values or expressions are are revealing. The layer are not visiible any longer in the comp window although opacity settings for these layers say 100%.
What the script does is “distributes” the layers in 3D space. The reason you can’t see them in your comp is because they are probably out of the camera view after they are distributed. Move your camera back in space to find the layers. I would recommend you watch the Aetuts tutorial again for more specific instructions on how to define the range in which the layers are distributed.
Thanks for getting back so quick.
Loaded it as per instructed and now I can see it under the File menu but when I apply it to two selected solids in a new comp the layers are not visible anymore…what am I doing wrong.
thanks in advance
Just downloaded 3D Layer Distributer. on mac running AE5 and saw tutorial on ae.tutsplus on how to use and install. my download was one .jsx file and I put it in Scripts>support folder but it’s not working…any ideas.
thanks
Make sure the .jsx file is in the Scripts folder which is inside the Support Files on windows. Once you’ve put the script there you re-start After Effects and run the script by going to the File menu and then Scripts and you should see it listed there.
You can also check out the FAQ on how to install and run scripts: http://aescripts.com/faq/how-to-install-and-run-scripts/
i really want this but i have heard it doesnt work on cs5 . is it true ?
Works perfectly fine in CS5. Just added the badge at top.
These scripts usually work in the system widowns 32-bit?
After buying the script how do I get?
By mail or otherwise?
Yes, all scripts will work in any flavor of windows. The script is available for download immediately after checkout and a download link is also emailed to the address used during checkout.
how can I change the settings of 3D_layer_distributor.jsx in the ExtendScript Toolkit so it will run properly in AE
If you double-click the script file it should open in ExtendScript Toolkit. If it doesn’t then open ExtendScript Toolkit first and choose File->Open and open the script that way. The settings to be changed are at the top of the script and clearly labeled. You can also watch the tutorial linked at the top to see it being done.
tengo una duda sobre el script… como lo puedo bajar?. si lo añado al carro. lo tengo que comprar… no i manera de descargar gratis?¿
http://aescripts.com/faq/name-your-own-price/
where to download the script? can you guys pls help me…
You need to “Add to Cart” then Checkout. The script will be available immediately after checkout.
@Josh – The script works on selected layers, so select the layers you want to distribute and run the script.
do you have to apply this to every individual layer? is there away to distribute multiple layers with one application of the script?
@Nick – This script does not have a UI, to change the settings you need to double click the script .jsx file which will open it in ExtendScript Toolkit. You then change the settings which are clearly labeled at the top of the script and save the file. Then you can run it in AE (you DONT need to restart AE after changing the settings so you can bounce back and forth until you get the results you want)
Using CS3
I can see the script in the windows menu but The 3D_Layer_distributor box is empty when I apply it. It does randomize the layer but I have no control on it.
I also tried file>run script…
Hi, aescripts.com – da best. Keep it going!
Thank you
Lloyd, i’m pretty sure i downloaded many of your scripts a while ago for free from your site…did you change your mind and decided to charge for them???
@Alfonso – scripts are still free. The amount added is only a suggested donation.
@Vladimir – Functionally they are the same. Nab’s DistributeLayers has a nice UI which is great but it also requires CS4. This script works with AE7, CS3 and CS4. If you have CS4 you should definitely check out Nab’s script.
see http://aescripts.com/distributelayers
what’s the difference?
Very nine?
Is there a way to tell the script not to randomize, but instead say spread the layers apart 10 pixels in any given axis? I tried removing the times math. random expression but it just move them all to a specified distance.
@Enrique – The script is designed to randomize position. I might consider writing a direct script that spreads instead of randomizing in the future.
You are the man, This and the 3D text in space layer just saved me mad hours behind the keyboard.
Thanks a ton
Thanks mate!
Hey Lloyd
Is this script CS4′ed? It’s well worth keeping in the arsenal. Doesn’t appear to work under the new version of AE.
Thanks for the brilliant work man.
trev
Thanks for that script. It really save my day.
I’m new to expressions in after, so i’m no afraid to ask:
“in this script it is possible to animate the range and posicion of layers?”
Thanks for help
ok gracias!
thanks