Expression Toolbox
Version: 1.11 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
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- Expression Toolbox UI
Version history
- 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
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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
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
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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..