Features

• Unlimited Search/Replace pairs
• Add Suffix and Prefix
• Replace all at once or one item at a time
• Option to use Regular Expressions (Regex)

Scopes (Where you can rename items)

• Project panel item names
• Layer names project-wide
• Layer names in comps selected in project panel
• Selected layers in active comp
• Render queue footage paths

Version History

• 1.0 – Initial release – Jan 2012

The script will loop any amount of selected layers from the furthest in-point and the last out-point by pre-composing and doing a dissolving loop. It will then apply an expression to the looped comp so that it can be stretched infinitely from either the in or the out-point.

There is an option to use the Blend effect instead of using opacity to make the dissolve an optical dissolve.

HOW TO USE:

• Select the layers you want to loop.
• Trim the in-point and out-point of the layers to where you would like the loop to be.
• Run the script from the Window menu
• Choose the dissolve length in frames
• **Please note that you should use the Blend Effect option when looping items that are transparent

The script is now localized in the following languages, (if you would like to contribute a translation please get in touch):

• es: Español
• ja: Japanese (Thanks Tatsuro Ogata)
• ko: Korean
• de: Deutsch (Thanks Mathias Möhl)
• fr: Français (Thanks Sébastien Périer)

Version History:

• 1.6 Added “cycle” and “Ping-Pong” loop types – Oct 2011
• 1.54 Fixed small parsing error – Jan 2011
• 1.53 Fixed french localization bug – Oct 2010
• 1.52 Fixed loop pre-comp name length bug in CS3 – May 2010
• 1.51 Fixed language support for CS3 – May 2010
• 1.5 – May 2010
  • Added dockable UI
  • Made it work with non-english AE
  • Blessed for CS5
  • Several small bug fixes
• 1.1 Now works properly with transparent items using the blend effect – Mar 2010
• 1.0 Initial Release – Feb 2010

• Add Parented Null to Selected Layers.jsx will create a new null and parent all the selected layers to it.
• Add Parented Null to Each Selected Layer.jsx will create a parented null for each of the selected layers. The new null can have a custom name defined in the User Variables section and also has the option of including the name of the layer that is parented to it.

Starting with After Effects CS4, there is a new multi-processing throttle system that manages how many CPU’s are to be left free for other applications. This script also adds access to a little known hidden preference that allows you to set the quality of the Toggle Pixel Aspect Correction button in the Comp View. (Please note that After Effects needs to be restarted after changing the PAR quality)

The package includes both Throttle and Throttle-n-Purge.

Version history

We recently completed a project involving thousands of files from multi-pass rendering making up many image sequences. The finder struggled to list the directory contents, even after several minutes, however Immigration sailed through the files and immediately became an essential part of our workflow saving lots of time and streamlining the process. I can’t imagine working with After Effects and image sequences without it.
Tim Clapham – fxphd & LUXX

Immigration turns the pain usually associated with importing and batch replacing files in After Effects a joy. While browsing for import, it shows file sequences as one line item instead of a long list of files. Immigration uses a custom algorithm to scan the file system at speeds dramatically faster than even the OS can. In our testing a server folder with 30,000 files that takes over 5 minutes to open in the finder opens in 12 seconds in Immigration (and that includes file-sequence detection!). If you frequently find yourself waiting for the OS to open folders then you will love Immigration.

You can then select more than one file or sequence and either import them all at once or batch replace files already in your project. You can easily assign a frame rate to all imported files at once. Immigrations’ Auto-Match Replace algorithm will automatically match files with similar names so you don’t have to. It shows you a preview so you can make sure the matches are what you want. It color codes the match depending on how close it is. This is convenient if you name your revised files with a new version number or date.

If your files are already neatly organized in folders, Immigration will duplicate and maintain the folder hierarchy within the After Effects project.

You can customize Immigration to only search for certain file extensions, and file age. So for example you can tell Immigration to only display .exr files that are less than an hour old. You can also tell it to include or ignore folder by name so if you would like it to ignore a folder in your hierarchy (an archives folder for example) you can do that easily.

Version history

• 1.41 Fixed 9.0.3 prefs bug 05/11
• 1.4 Made CS5.5 Compatible, changed r3d to be movie extension (non-sequence) 05/11
• 1.3 Added new “Pre-sort files” option to support unpadded file sequences 11/10
• 1.22 Fixed window resizing issue when switching to import mode 09/10
• 1.21 Fixed font color in CS5 status display 09/10
• 1.2 Fixed bug when replacing layers that are referenced by expressions 08/10
• 1.1 Made CS5 compatible, instructions collapsed state is now saved 04/10
• 1.036 Minor display window fixes 03/10
• 1.035 Internal update
• 1.034 Internal update
• 1.033 Added http://license.aescripts.com info 09/09
• 1.032 Fixed small licensing issue 08/09
• 1.031 Fixed Hours/Days display in browser window when using file age 08/09
• 1.02 Fixed Windows Help Window Centering issue (Windows Only)
• 1.01 Fixed Help Window Buttons (Windows Only)
• 1.0 Initial Release Aug 2009

The script has 2 operating modes:

1. An old school method which opens each project, checks all the footage items paths then replaces the path to the new path, imports the footage item from the new location and saves out a new project. This method works with CS3 & CS4.
2. The faster and preferred method takes advantage of the new XML file format introduced in CS4. It opens each project, saves it out as an XML project (if original project is already in .aepx format then this step is skipped) and then does a search and replace on the XML file. This process is much faster since it doesn’t have to import all the footage items and it will preserve all the interpretation settings for every footage item.

USAGE:

• It is recommended that you run the script in test mode first to see how After Effects sees the footage paths. Once you have that info you can accurately enter the search and replace strings. Note that on Mac XML projects path are separated by a colon : )
• The project name match field allows you to enter a match string so the script will only work on projects whose name matches the string (you can use Regex if you turn on the option below).
• If you use a project name match string you can enter a replace string for the new project name or just add a suffix or a prefix to be appended to the new project name.
• Recurse subfolders will process and subfolders.
• Use Regex will cause the script to use Regular Expressions syntax in the search string. If you don’t know what Regular Expressions are then it’s probably best that you don’t use this option.
• Generate log will create a text file with all the results and errors encountered by the script.
• If you are running in test mode you will be able to preview the search and replace results before actually doing it. The script will save a text file with the results of the search and replace operation.

Version History

• 1.6 fixed project name match bug – 04/2011
• 1.51 fixed path separator on mac CS5 – 06/2010
• 1.5 – 05/2010
  • Added option to have more than 1 search replace pair
  • Added search replace option to project name
  • Blessed for CS5
  • Small bug fixes
• 1.03 Fixed Log location help tip – 01/2010
• 1.02 Fixed “Suppress dialogs” bug – 01/2010
• 1.01 Fixed “undefined” error when write to network preference was not set – 11/2009
• 1.0 Initial Release – 11/2009

Thanks to Patrick Smith for allowing us to use his footage in the demo video

Version History

• 2.04 Made compatible with non-english versions of AE – March 2011
• 2.03 Fixed work area calculation – July 2010
• 2.02 Fixed help window, blessed for CS5 – May 2010
• 2.01 Fixed small outPoint bug – April 2010
• 2.0 – Added dockable UI and Region of Interest feature – April 2010
• 1.0 – Initial Release – Feb 2008

This script is used as part of the Cinematic Opening Title Redux tutorial on Aetuts+

Version History

• 2.1 – Fixed prefs bug – April 2011
• 2.0 – Added Snap to Frame option – March 2011

 **IMPORTANT** You need to run the Universalizer in the same language as the expressions are written. If your expressions are written in German then you need to have After Effects running in German when you run the Universalizer.  Once the project has been “universalized” it will be able to be opened in any language.

It’s very easy to use, simply choose whether you want to process the current comp or all the comps in your project and click on the Universalize Expressions button. That’s it. There is an option to create a log file in case you want a detailed record of what is being converted or if you run into any trouble.

The script can universalize expressions written in these languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese. If you would like your language added please get in touch. This is only to support what language the expression is originally written in, once the project has been universalized it can be opened by ANY language.

New in v1.5 is the option to add a “Universalized” tag in the comp comment field in the project panel. A common support issue for templates is from customers that don’t run AE in the same language that the project was authored in.  If you are a template author and are submitting your template to a marketplace like VideoHive then this allows the reviewers to quickly check and see that your expressions have been universalized and will make your template more attractive since it will require less customer support from them.

The geeky explanation of how the script does this is it converts all the localized effect references in your expressions to the After Effects “under the hood” match name which is the same in every language. If you are asking why AE doesn’t just use this match name when you pickwhip expressions it is because match names are not very user friendly to read. The script works by reading the name of your effect to convert, so try to avoid renaming your effects until after you’ve run the script. The script has a database of all the built-in expression controls effects. That means it supports custom names for these effects but not for other third party effects, so definitely wait to rename third party effects until after you’ve universalized the project.

Felt tips recorded an in-depth tutorial that shows how to use ExpressionUniversalizer on vimeo.

Version History:

• 1.52 Updated expression parser to allow parenthesis in custom effect name – Mar 2011
• 1.51 Fixed a significant bug that prevented the script from universalizing custom named effects when run in a non-english AE – Mar 2011
• 1.5 Added unversalize comp comment option,added support for expressions that refer to index, ie:  effect(“Slider Control”)(1) – Feb 2011
• 1.0 Initial Release Nov 2010

Version History:

• 1.91 Fixed windows CS5 UI bug 03/2011
• 1.9 Added option to pad marker numbers 12/2010
• 1.8 Fixed output directory bug, CS5 compatible 08/2010
• 1.71 Fixed layer name bug 06/2010
• 1.7 Added marker comment and comp name in file name option 11/2009
• 1.6 Fixed select output folder if cancelled bug, removed RQ queued item check, checked for layer-less comp 11/2009
• 1.5 Added new smarter interface options 10/2009
• 1.3 fixed mac output filename bug 08/2009
• 1.2 added numbering option 07/2009
• 1.1 changed to work within workarea only 01/2009
• 1.01 bug fixes 09/2008
• 1.0 Initial Release 09/2008

[BG Renderer 2] kept me sane when I was onlining BRICK & STEEL. It’s difficult to describe just how quickly this little panel will become an essential part of your After Effects workflow.
-Stu Maschwitz (prolost.com)

I use this script daily, and this update is a must have.
-Paul Conigliaro (motion designer/editor)

That’s dirt cheap for background rendering. If only our editing applications like Final Cut Pro or Media Composer could do the same. In this day and age they should be able to that.
-Scott Simmons (studiodaily.com)

Been using BG Renderer on current project. So nice to get email and txt msg especially when they crash in the middle of the night.
-Danny Princz (AE Ninja & FXPHD professor)

Just installed Background Renderer 2.0 & it works like a charm! Text message updates when render is finished are sick.
-Ryan Summers (via twitter)

BG Renderer is a script that allows you to render your Render Queue items in the background while you can continue working in After Effects. It  runs as a dockable panel that is saved as part of your workspace.

BG Renderer now comes in 2 flavors: Basic and Pro.

• With the all new basic version you can just render your queue in the background. We completely re-programmed how it works so that it is simple and easy and works every time.
• If you need options, then the Pro version is what you want.  Besides being able to set prefs for the render, the pro version offer the very powerful post render actions which allow you to get growl notifications, send email (with log), send sms and even iPhone push notifications when your renders are done or you have an error.  You can also send a terminal command to be executed after each item in the queue is done rendering and put the machine to sleep or shut it down. If you are using CS3 or CS4 and have CS5 installed, you can send your CS3 or CS4 render to the CS5 render engine to take advantage of the new 64-bit goodness while keeping your work project in the older version. Finally there is a new portable app/folder feature that makes it easy to create an ad-hoc render farm quickly by simply copying this portable app to all the machines on your network and just double-clicking it to launch the render on that machine.

Due to the huge amount of work that was required to bring version 2.0 to life we made the tough decision to make this version a licensed only version.  However, we feel strongly that you get a whole lot of value for the price. You can upgrade from the basic to the pro version at any time by purchasing a basic to pro upgrade license.  We also have not forgotten about all of you who were generous with the “Name Your Own Price” concept so please read the following upgrade notice.

Upgrade notice: For users who purchased BG Renderer between Jan 1, 2010 & Jan 11, 2011 when it was ‘Name Your Own Price’ we will give you a discount code equal to 100% of the amount you spent (if you bought it more than once, the values will add up). If you paid for BG Renderer before Jan 1, 2010, we will still give you a discount code worth 50% of what you spent. To request a discount code please submit the email address you used for your original purchase here.  (If you purchased a Basic license after Jan 11, 2011 and want to upgrade, then all you need to do is buy a Basic to Pro Upgrade license above.)

Click on the  ”Configure” button to configure the post render actions.  All post render actions have the option of being executed at the end of each comp being rendered or at the end of the entire render queue.  You also have the option of only being notified if there are any errors logged.  You select this from the pull-down menu to the right of each action.

Version history:

• v2.12 Escaped special characters in Dos, Fixed growlnotify instructions – May 2011
• v2.1 – Feb 2011
  • Added priority change for growl/prowl notices if there is an error
  • Added option to close BG Render window when finished
  • Added more sms providers
• v2.05 Added email and sms support to older OS X versions – Feb 2011
• v2.04 Fixed iPhone/Prowl compatibility with OS X 10.5 – Jan 2011
• v2.03 Fixed small bug when updating SMS provider list – Jan 2011
• v2.02 – Jan 2011
  • Added a bunch more SMS providers
  • Growl on mac now lists BG Renderer as an application
  • Fixed shutdown on mac
• v2.01 Fixed small bug when email was not configured properly – Jan 2011
• v2.0 re-written from ground up, added pro options – Jan 2011
• v1.6 Changed temp file location to fix corrupted .term file bug – Dec 2009
• v1.5 added additional escaped characters check – Aug 2009
• v1.4 fixed additional issues with Leopard, tested and approved for CS4 – Nov 2008
• v1.3 fixed issues with MacOS 10.5 Leopard – Feb 2008
• v1.2 fixed aerender path issue with Windows 64bit systems – Oct 2007
• v1.1 added terminal instructions, and MP Ram check and warning on Mac – Oct 2007
• v1.0 updated for CS3 – Jul 2007

For example, if you have a certain folder/file structure or camera rig, etc that you like to keep for your AE projects, you can setup a virgin project the way you like it and save it as a template by giving it a .aet extension.  Now every time you launch AE your custom setup will be automatically loaded.

You can convert any after effects project to be a template by changing the file extension from .aep to .aet

If you only have one project or template in the designated folder that project will be automatically opened.  If you have more than one project in the folder then you will get a menu prompt that will allow you to choose the project to load.  This can be handy if you have different project setups for different tasks.

Version History

• 2.1 Fixed issue with BG Renderer and aerender – Dec 2011
• 2.0 Added multiple project/template folder option, unified into one script – Dec 2010
• 1.0 Initial release – Sep 2008

Added a new option in v1.5 that allows you to change any thisComp relative calls in your expressions to be absolute to the current comp. This makes it easy to then copy and paste duplicated layers into another comp (or pre-comp) and have them reference the original comp as a master controller for the expressions.

Version History:

• 1.5 Added option to change thisComp calls to be absolute to the current comp – Nov 2010
• 1.0 Initial release – Oct 2010

This script was used in this tutorial at Aetuts+

This script will add markers, split a layer or add a new text layer with incrementing numbers based on audio intensity.

Usage Instructions:

1. Select the audio layer and run the Keyframe Assistant “Convert Audio to Keyframes”.
2. Run the script and choose which layer you wish to mark or split. If the layer you want does not show up, select the comp and press the Refresh button.
3. Set the audio level at which the markers should be place. The script uses the “Both Channels” value from the Audio Amplitude layer which is created after running “Convert Audio to Keyframes”. A marker will place placed when the audio crosses that value and another marker won’t be placed until the audio drops below and above again.
4. Choose one of the 3 output options:
   • Place markers on a layer
   • Split the layer
   • Create a new text layer with incrementing numbers

The layer will then be marked or split at the threshold points. If you choose to create a new text layer then the newly created text layer will have keyframes with incrementing numerical values which can be used to trigger expressions.

Version History
• v1.21 Minor UI tweaks to make CS5 compatible – nov 2010
• v1.2 Added marker numbering option, improved delete marker funciton to work within work area – jan 2010
• 1.1 Fixed “undefined” alert bug – nov 2009
• 1.0 Initial Release – oct 2009