Cloners + Effectors are a procedural animation system for After Effects. Especially useful when animating multiple layers at the same time. It allows you to animate using effectors instead of key framing every layer.
Looks great. Reminds me of C4D, which I use a lot. Unfortunately, I experienced multiple AE warning messages: Stack overrun - Expression disabled. I have submitted a support ticket with more info.
Looks great. Reminds me of C4D, which I use a lot. Unfortunately, I experienced multiple AE warning messages: Stack overrun - Expression disabled. I have submitted a support ticket with more info.
Can you animate any keyframes? If you have plug-ins on the layers etc?
You can animate any numeric or color property. This also goes for all filters added to the layer. For obvious reasons I havn't testet it with all plugins out there, but it should work. If not, then please let me know. You can download a trial and watch this video, it will explain in details.
is there any chance on having something like a cinema4d delay effector? or did I just miss it?
nicely done anyways!
Hi Michael It's something I would love to do. But as for right now it isn't possible. Setting the curve to elastic, can create some what the same effect. But of course not the same as having a delay effector. - Jakob Wagner
Hey this is an amazing script thank you. I am having problems with pixelation on scaled effector. Even when I click auto raster and set everything nested to 3d I do not get a clean vector? Any ideas?
Hey this is an amazing script thank you. I am having problems with pixelation on scaled effector. Even when I click auto raster and set everything nested to 3d I do not get a clean vector? Any ideas?
Thanks
James
Hi James This shouldn't be caused by the cloners system. What does it look like if you just scale the layer manually? Is resolution for the viewer set to full? Is Adaptive Resolution set to on? I find it buggy some times. Try setting it to off. Is zoom set to 100%? Will this help you? https://forums.adobe.com/thread/886049 If not then please open a support ticket and I will look into it. Maybe attach your project, or just that part of it. https://aescripts.com/contact/
Hello, Thanks for this amazing plugin, it works really great !
Jut to say : with linear falloff, the effector scale should be linked to the size falloff. Like that we could manipulate its influence directly in the viewport. Same goes with rotation parameter. It can be done in after effect but I think those connections should be by default.
Other thing, clones are taking a lot of RAM. I think that's why we can't have lot of them (like 1000). As a Mograph C4D user I think there must be an instance option like particules. Which could allow to diplay tons of it. MOGRAPH's the best
Other thing, clones are taking a lot of RAM. I think that's why we can't have lot of them (like 1000). As a Mograph C4D user I think there must be an instance option like particules. Which could allow to diplay tons of it. MOGRAPH's the best
Thank you for the comments. The system is using AE's layers and render engine. So instances are not en option at this time. But I will keep your requests in mind for the next version.
Having major problems with the cluster function of the cloner. It's throwing all shapes to the upper left of the comp (outside of the bounds of the frame). It does not retain their position when I select cluster from the dropdown.
Grateful for your help.
UPDATE - - - - -
I had parented layers causing the position to go astray. Glad I got it sorted.
Having major problems with the cluster function of the cloner. It's throwing all shapes to the upper left of the comp (outside of the bounds of the frame). It does not retain their position when I select cluster from the dropdown.
Grateful for your help.
UPDATE - - - - -
I had parented layers causing the position to go astray. Glad I got it sorted.
Billy
Hi Billy
Happy you got it sortet. And yes, as it works now, the layers have to be unparented and the cloner will be their new parent. Let me know if you need help with anything else.
Just purchased and installed the newest version of your product (v1.03) and successfully entered activation code but the interface is only giving me limited options. 2 cloner type options (linear and radial) and 3 effector choices (plain, step and random). These are the same options I had when using your demo download from last week.
Just purchased and installed the newest version of your product (v1.03) and successfully entered activation code but the interface is only giving me limited options. 2 cloner type options (linear and radial) and 3 effector choices (plain, step and random). These are the same options I had when using your demo download from last week.
Please help.
Thanks
Joe carty
Hi Joe
UPDATE! : I have uploaded a new version which might solve the issue. But it's a shot in the dark. If it still doesn't work, please proceed as described below.
That sounds really wierd. There is nothing in the code which should be able to limit those options. The trial is only limited in that it can only make 20 clones, and then the 7 day limit.
Could you please open a support ticket for this one, so we can get to the buttom of this. Please include your system details and the exact version of AE you are using.
Hi there, thanks for this great script, have been wanting something like this for AE, being a big user of MoGraph in C4D. One question - is there a simple way to duplicate a cloner system? I have unshied all the properties and duplicated everything but the properties still link to the previous cloner, is there a way around this? Thanks.
Hi there, thanks for this great script, have been wanting something like this for AE, being a big user of MoGraph in C4D. One question - is there a simple way to duplicate a cloner system? I have unshied all the properties and duplicated everything but the properties still link to the previous cloner, is there a way around this? Thanks.
Hi Gavin At this point there is no duplicate feature, but it is already on the list of things I want to add in the future. Generally, I like to have the cloner system in it's own composition. Makes everything easier to handle. You could toggle the shy button off, as you already did. Select all layers created by the cloner system and precompose them. Then duplicate the composition in the project window. Note that, because of the way random works in AE you are going to get a different random result if using something like the random effector.
Hello! I just purchased this script. I loaded the files into my script UI folder but when i try to use the script, i get an error message 292. Help! Thanks!
Hello! I just purchased this script. I loaded the files into my script UI folder but when i try to use the script, i get an error message 292. Help! Thanks!
Hi Sharon Did you remeber to go to preferences>General and switch on "Allow scripts to write files access network"? If you did then please open a support ticket: https://aescripts.com/contact/ And include the full error message. Did you get the error as soon as you open the panel or when you click add cloner? Did you get to the point where you had to type in the licence number?
No. As for now the videos are the documentation. You can see the full playlist here, divided into subjects.
Thanks, Jakob Wagner
Thanks for the prompt response. Awesome plug in, very impressed with all you've thought to include; especially like customizable curves in the Step Effector!
I am having real troubles getting the "custom property" to work. I am doing exactly the same steps as your "Working with custom properties" video, however i keep getting this prompt :
"Error: After Effects error: Unable to call “property” because of parameter 1. Value 2 out of range 1 to 1."
And it does that in AE 2014, 2015 and 2017. I am on MacOS X 10.10
EDIT : after troubleshooting a bit more I realised that apparently you need to create the trim path property on the shape layer before you link it to the cloner. Is there a way to update the shape properties after creating the cloner ?
I am having real troubles getting the "custom property" to work. I am doing exactly the same steps as your "Working with custom properties" video, however i keep getting this prompt :
"Error: After Effects error: Unable to call “property” because of parameter 1. Value 2 out of range 1 to 1."
And it does that in AE 2014, 2015 and 2017. I am on MacOS X 10.10
EDIT : after troubleshooting a bit more I realised that apparently you need to create the trim path property on the shape layer before you link it to the cloner. Is there a way to update the shape properties after creating the cloner ?
Hi Mathieu Please open a support ticket and if possible include your project file. https://aescripts.com/contact/ Does this happen every time you do this? It looks like it's a conflict that can happen if you have multiple layers that doesn't all have the same property order. Or if you somehow changed the property order.
Hey can i use track matt with the cloner without having to precompose ?
Hi Rasnus Great question! But no you can't since all clones are their own layer. However, if you add a Set Matte to your clone before you clone it. Or add Set Matte to your original layer and click Use Selected Layers. Then it might give you what you're looking for. This might be a good subject for a future turorial. Let me know if you have more questions.
Great script! I've wanted this for a long time. Is it possible add custom properties for animating on cluster type cloners? If so which object do you add the property to ahead of clicking "add property" ? Not having any luck on that part. Any help on this would be appreciated.
Great script! I've wanted this for a long time. Is it possible add custom properties for animating on cluster type cloners? If so which object do you add the property to ahead of clicking "add property" ? Not having any luck on that part. Any help on this would be appreciated.
Hi Bo Absolutely. You have to click/mark the property on one of the original layers. Then click add property. It has to be a property which is position the same place in the structure you see when you unfold the layer, on all layers you add. You can see more about it here: Let me know if it's still not working for you.
I got it working, but only if I have the effect applied to all of the layers first. I was under the impression "add property" would duplicate the effect to my other cluster layers. That part seems to work on regular cloners that way, but on cluster cloners best to have the property already existing.
Wow, this is awesome! This is something I've been dreaming of for years! This might be the thing that keeps me from having to buy Particular next week. I need to animate rows of sprouting flowers and Particular doesn't have enough grid-timing controls.
Only question, though: any idea how many clones it can generate before it starts chugging? It didn't seem too slow with at the 20 clone preview limit, but I'm going to be doing grids of around 75 smallish clones. I know that probably depends on clone size along with the expression load your script puts on layers.
Wow, this is awesome! This is something I've been dreaming of for years! This might be the thing that keeps me from having to buy Particular next week. I need to animate rows of sprouting flowers and Particular doesn't have enough grid-timing controls.
Only question, though: any idea how many clones it can generate before it starts chugging? It didn't seem too slow with at the 20 clone preview limit, but I'm going to be doing grids of around 75 smallish clones. I know that probably depends on clone size along with the expression load your script puts on layers.
Hi Jim
The performance depends on how many clones, how many properties you are animating and how many effectors you are using. Of course also which computer you have. 70 clones will be pushing the system to the limit, but if you have a moderne computer and a little patience, it should be doable. Still quicker than manual keying, which is SO last month.
Thanks for this great plugin! I've only been using it for a week and its already saved me hours...
Quick question -
Is there any way of pre-comping the cloners and animated effectors? It currently unlinks everything but I was wondering if there's anything I can do to fix it easily?
Thanks for this great plugin! I've only been using it for a week and its already saved me hours...
Quick question -
Is there any way of pre-comping the cloners and animated effectors? It currently unlinks everything but I was wondering if there's anything I can do to fix it easily?
Hi Hugo
Happy you like it and that it's saving you time. Before precompose you have to unshy the layers and make sure you select all layers generated by the clonersystem. That should work. One thing you have to be aware of though, is random. If you use random, you are going to get a different random result when precomposing.
drop down menu for the cloners only show 'linear' and 'radial' on a 4K screen (Windows 10)
Thank you very much for the info! This might explain the problem another user had. This must be a bug in AE. I'll find a way of testing this as soon as possible. Works fine on OSX/retina display.
Really impressed that all this is done with scripting & expressions.
Hopefully this could be converted to a proper plugin that would be both faster and handle memory better.
Anyways, while waiting for that ;-) I do wish for a small feature to be able to randomise the clones layer order.
I gather that you can un-shy the layers and move the layers around without disturbing the the cloner system.
But it would be nice if there's a button for that (or add a function that could use effectors to set the layer orders).
You have the random layer order function in the Shape and Text scripts
Thanks,
Tobias
Hi Tobias
Thanks. I'm looking into the possibilities of better performance, but I'm still not sure it will be possible for others than Adobe. Thank you for the request. It's not a bad idea. I'll put it on the wish list.
Also, even if you un-shy the layers and move them around yourself and then do something to the original object(s) and then use the "Use selected layers" to update the cloners - it re-arranges all layers back so a function to keep the layer order would be useful as well.
Quick question... I'd like to ease the keyframing I've done to the radius property of a radial cloner, but it doesn't seem to have any effect when I try to. Is there any way this is possible?
Quick question... I'd like to ease the keyframing I've done to the radius property of a radial cloner, but it doesn't seem to have any effect when I try to. Is there any way this is possible?
_dave
Hi David
That should work with out any difference from keyframing/easing anythin else in AE. How do you apply the ease?
You can animate any numeric or color property. This also goes for all filters added to the layer. For obvious reasons I havn't testet it with all plugins out there, but it should work. If not, then please let me know. You can download a trial and watch this video, it will explain in details.
It's something I would love to do. But as for right now it isn't possible. Setting the curve to elastic, can create some what the same effect. But of course not the same as having a delay effector.
- Jakob Wagner
This shouldn't be caused by the cloners system. What does it look like if you just scale the layer manually? Is resolution for the viewer set to full? Is Adaptive Resolution set to on? I find it buggy some times. Try setting it to off. Is zoom set to 100%? Will this help you? https://forums.adobe.com/thread/886049
If not then please open a support ticket and I will look into it. Maybe attach your project, or just that part of it. https://aescripts.com/contact/
Thanks for this amazing plugin, it works really great !
Jut to say : with linear falloff, the effector scale should be linked to the size falloff. Like that we could manipulate its influence directly in the viewport. Same goes with rotation parameter.
It can be done in after effect but I think those connections should be by default.
Thanks
JR
MOGRAPH's the best
Thank you for the comments. The system is using AE's layers and render engine. So instances are not en option at this time. But I will keep your requests in mind for the next version.
Happy you got it sortet. And yes, as it works now, the layers have to be unparented and the cloner will be their new parent. Let me know if you need help with anything else.
- Jakob Wagner
UPDATE! : I have uploaded a new version which might solve the issue. But it's a shot in the dark. If it still doesn't work, please proceed as described below.
That sounds really wierd. There is nothing in the code which should be able to limit those options. The trial is only limited in that it can only make 20 clones, and then the 7 day limit.
Could you please open a support ticket for this one, so we can get to the buttom of this. Please include your system details and the exact version of AE you are using.
https://aescripts.com/contact/
Thanks,
Jakob Wagner
At this point there is no duplicate feature, but it is already on the list of things I want to add in the future.
Generally, I like to have the cloner system in it's own composition. Makes everything easier to handle. You could toggle the shy button off, as you already did. Select all layers created by the cloner system and precompose them. Then duplicate the composition in the project window. Note that, because of the way random works in AE you are going to get a different random result if using something like the random effector.
- Jakob Wagner
I just purchased this script. I loaded the files into my script UI folder but when i try to use the script, i get an error message 292. Help!
Thanks!
Did you remeber to go to preferences>General and switch on "Allow scripts to write files access network"?
If you did then please open a support ticket: https://aescripts.com/contact/
And include the full error message. Did you get the error as soon as you open the panel or when you click add cloner? Did you get to the point where you had to type in the licence number?
Thanks,
Jakob
No. As for now the videos are the documentation. You can see the full playlist here, divided into subjects.
Thanks,
Jakob Wagner
Please open a support ticket and if possible include your project file. https://aescripts.com/contact/
Does this happen every time you do this? It looks like it's a conflict that can happen if you have multiple layers that doesn't all have the same property order. Or if you somehow changed the property order.
Thanks,
Jakob Wagner
Great question! But no you can't since all clones are their own layer. However, if you add a Set Matte to your clone before you clone it. Or add Set Matte to your original layer and click Use Selected Layers. Then it might give you what you're looking for.
This might be a good subject for a future turorial. Let me know if you have more questions.
Thanks,
Jakob Wagner
Absolutely. You have to click/mark the property on one of the original layers. Then click add property. It has to be a property which is position the same place in the structure you see when you unfold the layer, on all layers you add. You can see more about it here:
Let me know if it's still not working for you.
The performance depends on how many clones, how many properties you are animating and how many effectors you are using. Of course also which computer you have.
70 clones will be pushing the system to the limit, but if you have a moderne computer and a little patience, it should be doable. Still quicker than manual keying, which is SO last month.
Thanks,
Jakob Wagner
Happy you like it and that it's saving you time.
Before precompose you have to unshy the layers and make sure you select all layers generated by the clonersystem. That should work.
One thing you have to be aware of though, is random. If you use random, you are going to get a different random result when precomposing.
Thanks. I'm looking into the possibilities of better performance, but I'm still not sure it will be possible for others than Adobe.
Thank you for the request. It's not a bad idea. I'll put it on the wish list.
- Jakob Wagner
That should work with out any difference from keyframing/easing anythin else in AE. How do you apply the ease?
- Jakob