The definitive collection of scripts and plugins for Adobe After Effects
Expression Toolbox
Version: 1.5 Sign up to be notified by email when a new version of this script is posted
The Expression Toolbox was created to help take the pain out of using and locating expressions. At some point you’ve probably come across an expression that you find yourself using on every other project you work on. The question is where do you store this expression? I noticed that a lot of people were storing their expressions in text files, without documentation of how they were used or where it could be found. Without knowing who created the expression or how to use it, you’re left waiting on an answer from a mailing list or web forum on how to properly apply it.
Enter the Expression Toolbox :
The Toolbox is a centralized location for you to store commonly used expressions, as well as making it easy to apply and retrofit to the comp you’re currently working on. You can group expressions that require multiple properties and controls to be enabled.
A Few Features :
- Grouping (assign a group ‘name’ – or select an existing one at any time to view all of expressions in the group only at the same time)
- Retrofitting ( this will pull layer names out of the expression, and allow you to select from a list generated from the current comp, which layer SHOULD be referenced)
- Auto generation of layer effects ( based on expression code; Sliders, radio buttons, angles, points, etc.. will be generated automatically if they are referenced in the expression you are using, this is optional of course )
- Sort by expression name, author and date ( these are created as expressions are entered into the library )
- Expression Editing ( go back and edit author name, expression name, description – usage information, or the expression itself at any time )
- Ability to apply current expression to the currently selected property of any layer.
- Distributable ( the library file names and content is entirely up to you, and they are lightweight and transferable to others)
- Merging of libraries ( you are able to import libraries from others and consolidate them into one “main” library if you wish )
So go ahead and give the Expression Toolbox a try, and see how easy it can be to organize your expression collection without having to dig through text files or forum posts to find your expressions.
Sharing expressions on a global scale :
The next step for the Expression Toolbox will be an online entry system that will allow you to enter your expressions to a global web driven database that anybody can access. You will then be able to download the most recent version of this database directly from the script. This will be in the next big release of the Toolbox.
For user support or feature requests for the Toolbox, please visit: http://support.croedesign.com
-
- Expression Toolbox UI
Version history
- 1.5 Now supports CS5! – July 2010
- 1.11 Fixes a failure to load when descriptions contain symbols. Also fixes a few behind the scenes issues to tidy things up. – Dec 2009
- 1.1 Fixes a few bugs. One was causing retrofit and apply to fail on load. The other was a problem with line breaks carried over from websites when pasted. – Nov 2009
- 1.0 Initial Release – Nov 2009
Note: There is a known issue within the CS5 ScriptUI where the multi-column listbox doesn’t refresh properly when it is populated with content (in this case expressions).
The simple workaround is to slide one of the dividers and it will display the scrollbar and fix any overlapping text.
*** Important note for Windows 7 Users :
Windows 7 has a LOT of security built in, which keeps you from writing to all directories except My Documents.
This is causing the script to silently fail, it will go through the motions of saving but the library remains unchanged, this is because you don’t have permission to write to the file or directory.
Follow this link for information on how give yourself permission to modify directories / files.
Thanks for your patience, hope this helps 
  Get notified of new scripts + plugins
WOW WOW
Looks amazing Chris – will be trying it out today – thanks so much for creating just what I’ve been looking for!
I can’t tell you how long I’ve been waiting for this. Get ready to make $20.
Hey thanks for the support Bert. Glad you like it!
Dude, this is awesome! I spent about a half hour playing with it, but I guess I should get back to work now. I can’t wait to add to it!
This is an awesome concept for expressions. What I would really find useful- perhaps more useful would be an app like this that would do the same for scripts used for AE. Any plans for such a program?
Hmm, I’m not sure how this would work with scripts. There are a couple of really good script launchers that you can use. One of which is available right here at AEscripts –
http://aescripts.com/rd-script-launcher/
If you’d like to go into more detail about your idea feel free to leave me a message at http://support.croedesign.com/
AAAARGHHHH
So mad. Finally got to installing it to find it doesn’t work on CS3!! Not ready to upgrade yet. Dang!
Sorry Scott, I may look into how much work it would be to get it running on CS3 in the near future. Drop me a line on my support forum so I’ll be be able to get in touch with you if/when I get it ported to CS3.
http://support.croedesign.com
Hello Chris, Great script! I’ve run into one issue though: Expression Toolbox prevents one of my other scripts (Ease and Wizz by Ian Haigh) from working (AE CS4). I’ve let Ian know as well.
Just thought you should know. Thanks for the awesome work.
BOOM!
Chris, I’m going to marry you!!
U.N.B.E.L.I.E.V.A.B.L.E
Just watched the video demo. I am very impressed and this looks like a must have for me! Great work!
Hi Chris.
This is a very useful tool, Ive trye’d the demo and it works great
Just one question, what is the difference between single user license and a site license?
Thanks.
Oren.
Site license enables you to use the same license on an unlimited number of machines on the same network. If you are just using the script for yourself then the single license will do.
Hey Chris, question:
I downloaded the trial version of Expression Toolbox and when I’m typing in a description, or the expression code, I’m unable to use the RETURN key on my keyboard to go to the next line. So rather then being able to type:
x=thisComp.layer(“ccnull”).transform.position[0]-thisComp.width/2;
x/thisComp.width
I can only do this:
x=thisComp.layer(“ccnull”).transform.position[0]-thisComp.width/2; x/thisComp.width
Is this a bug or does it have something to do with the trial version?
Thanks
This is a known issue, it is a bit of a bug, but within the Adobe scripts framework, I’m still looking into a work around. You can however do hard returns with Ctrl+enter (or some other key combination, I’m not in front of AE at the moment). However, I would highly recommend that you copy/paste your expressions into the toolbox.
what a great idea, thanks!
Since installing the trial version to check it out, AE crashes every time upon quitting. It saves fine, renders fine, etc – but only when quitting does it crash. Wondering if this is a known bug? I’m going to try deleting the trial version and seeing if it helps.
In response – deleting the trial version did indeed stop my crashing problem. Not sure whats going on with that. I’m pretty sure it didn’t like the trial being expired – maybe its a way to force users to buy it
I assure you I have no interest in sabotaging my software to get customers.
This seems relevant to your issue:
http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/408/kb408103.html
Update to the latest version of CS4.
- Chris
Hey Chris – Can you email me off the site @ me@nickguth.com . We’ll chat there so its off the main site
.
hi there
i saw ur work its amazing but i cant add after i click on it…
im using cs4
so, whats problem i tried so many things to add but i cant add any one of them..
Does this work with windows 7 64 bit. Anybody.
Sorry for the long delay in response – please check out my Important message to Windows users in the description above.
Love the way your product works in the video but in my case it won’t add the expression when I click add just like the post above me.. Running cs4 windows 7. Appears to install fine and I restarted ETB after creating library. I copied the expression and followed the tutorial but no luck. Any ideas. jtopenshaw@yahoo.com
I’m sorry but I’m unable to reproduce your issues Jeff, ArAbBoi. If at all possible can you provide a video of your usage so that I can see where it is failing, and perhaps provide a fix. I am unable to test the script on Win 7.
Please see the note about Windows 7 in the post above
I have a screen shot of it but I don’t know how to get it to you. The process stops after you fill all info in for the expression, Name, author etc. I then do the final step by clicking on the add button and it does nothing. CS4, windows 7 64 bit, 12 gigs ram, nvidia quadro fx 1800. My e-mail address is already posted above. Thanks Chris.
I know you must be super busy Chris but if you get a fix for this can you e-mail me.Thanks. jtopenshaw@yahoo.com
Hi, I have installed After Effects CS5 and expressions toolbox. I am getting this error message…
Unable to execute script at line 843. Uncaught exception add
Is there a need to upgrade the plugin for CS5?
The expression toolbox currently only works in CS4. I will be updating the toolbox to work in cs5 in the near future. – This may be a small update or it may be released along with the next version, I haven’t decided yet.
definitely sad that it doesn’t work with cs5 – hope the update comes soon – I’ve grown to depend on it!
I’m trying to wrap up some other projects so I can get around to updating it. I’ll get it done as soon as I can!
Do you have a time frame on when the update for CS5 might be? Looking forward to it…..Thanks
I just started working on the update this evening, I’m hoping to have it wrapped up by the end of this weekend, or next weekend at latest! Thanks for the continued interest!
Hi!
When will this super handy can’t live without script be released for CS5? I get an error message now.
woops didn’t read the previous posts, sorry.
The trial works perfectly in CS5 and windows 7. Thanks Chris!!!!!! I will definitely buy.
This is amazing! So simple to use and so powerful – thanks for spending the time (and having the idea) to make it work. Just a quick question, the list of parameters to apply to is great for layers, but do you think in time that the list could be selective of parameters which would bake it in for future uses? What I mean is, say an expression should be applied to the specular attribute of a 3D layer, could you say select a 3D layer, and then the specular attribute and use an ‘Apply here’ or ‘Use this’ button? That way, it would be set to go whenever needed without the old copy&paste thing going on. It’s probably far to much work, but it would be a great feature and help to make it more idiot proof (which is what I need!). Thanks again – a worthy investment of $20!!
PS – Also got over permissions in Windows 7 by putting my library in my documents! Not sure if I should, but it works!
Andrew, I’m glad you like the Toolbox! It’s great to hear feedback from users.
I think I see what you’re wanting, you want to set the default property by selecting the property first and then clicking a button that will retrieve that property? That is a great idea! I’ll see that it makes it’s way into the next version!
If you have any other features / suggestions please feel free to email me chriswroe (at) gmail.com with Expression Toolbox Suggestion in the subject line.
Yes it’s back in my kit! CS5 update rawks!
Hi Chris,
Just fired up the box in CS5 on mac 10.6.3. All works okay except when I try to add a new expression to the existing library (or a new library) nothing happens when I hit the Add or Add to New Library buttons… Best wishes, John.
For the web driven database, perhaps a partnership with XScriptorium and After Effects Expressions Reference (AEER) would prove fruitful.
Hello Chris, Great script! I
Hey Chris and Bart, as mentioned over on the Ease and Wizz page I think I’ve found the source of the conflict. I’ll post an update soon so that our palettes can be friends and get an ice cream, or whatever it is palettes do on weekends.
Ian
I’m glad you’ve figured this out, I’d be interested to know what the issue was? I was never able to test it myself to see what was happening. Was it some kind of shared palette name or something?
Update was posted today. And yes, the problem was due to a function having the same name. To avoid this in the future it’s best to prefix function names with the name of your script for example: expToolbox_myFunction()
Awesome !!
I have many many expressions (in my notepad) for my project 2D cartoon animations. cant live without it.
now…happy me
I had already paid for this useful script!
Artslan – that’s very cool! glad you like it!
Hi Chris,
I’m having problems since I upgraded to AC CS5. When I want to create a new entry in my lib and I paste my expressions into the “Add Window” the linebreaks are gone.
I wrote the expressions inside After Effects. So it is not a copy&paste problem from a website or so
hm. No Answer on the CS5 breakline problem.
A quickfix is:
- Open the Lib.xml in an texteditor
- open
Sry. The xml Tags named expression is missing. Maybee if i enclose it in the code Tag?
;
Installed the trial in CS5. Doesn’t seem to work. It’ll save an xml file, and it says it’s updating the library, but nothing happens. I did at first get a version of the error mentioned above (Unable to execute script at line 843. Uncaught exception add) and John Dicksinson’s experience is similar to mine except that my “Add” button is grayed out. This script SEEMS like it would be very cool, if I can get it to work.
I ran the script only once, created a library, then closed it.
On the second and all the following attempts to run it, I recieve the error:
Unable to execute script at line 843. Server interface error ”
-Server interface error ‘Error from
createWidget(6,-1,ListBox,ListBox,[object Object],11): ActionScript error:
TypeError: Error #1034′
What am I doing wrong? Win 7 64bit + AE CS5 + licensed toolbox )
That is an internal after effects movie, not inside of the script… it looks like when the script is creating the user interface, for some reason your copy of aftereffects is crashing. I’ll look into it, but I’m not really sure what could be the cause. If all else fails delete your preference file and see if that fixes it.
thanks for the great script!
always wanted some IDE features in AE like storing favorite expressions.
great job!
sorry. didn’t mention having old version of script. Works fine.
*internal after effects ERROR – not movie… crazy how the mind works ( or doesn’t )
I have a problem with writing descriptions and all other text fields: I can’t write anything unless I hit Backspace once. Not that it bothers me much, but still looks like a bug.
Win7 64bit + AE CS5
I’m using version 1.5 of the ETB script in AE CS4 (Mac) but….
(1) I can not add new expressions to the ETB Library.
When I add the relevant info about a new expression and click ‘ADD’ an empty Library is created. All scripts disappear from the list. ETB_MainLibrary.xml Library is now Zero kB. ETB_MainLibrary.xml.bak is created with the scripts previously in the main library but the new script does not get added to that.
(2) ‘IMPORT’ function does not appear to work e.g. I tried importing a copy I had made of the main library but no scripts appeared in the UI.
Ha! The scripts I was trying to add contained illegal characters! I should have waited 10 more minutes before posting!! Feel free to delete!
You shouldn´t post this as working with CS5!
Seems not to work at all with Cs5.5 osx10.6.2. I get the “Unable to execute script at line 843 “error.
Pisses me a off a little bit because I paid for the script. At least under Cs4 its running good. I hope you´ll find a fix.
I apologize a thousand times! Reinstalled the script and now its running smoothly. Probably I did not had the newest version…Great Work Chris!
Other day with valuable information GHD Christmas Gift Set pretty pink for the organization said it would file for bankruptcy. For these rumors, said GHD reporters in a beautiful refuted Pink Company. Some colleagues were in a pretty pink ghd hair in good condition within the company said, referring to an operation. In addition, the Company’s actual supplier 123,456,789, despite the company’s contracts, they were implemented. Actual analysts are worried about real organizations buy ghd outlet, but said not to be bad. ghd outlet connection with the organization ever to be immense, and his activities in connection with the creator of a wealthy China tops the list. However, hit these months ghd outlet ghd outlet b to 12 months, ghd hair day outlet for the organization effect of negative information. news related to personal bankruptcy in the teeth of a great organization, operates ghd outlet s the GHD Purple. And he can also be reduced gradually. Ghd hair days Crimson companies manage the information that he never asserted heard of. According to his disclosure remains the product price is the issue, they also do not have a string of capital. For that knew people who had just completed a Crimson Head ghd organization’s misfortune to buy. These months to 12 months, GHD hair a red head, greatly reduced price jinjikdoeseo physical segments. Analytics and business and personnel from the sale of the Company 123,456,789.