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ft-Toolbar
Version: 1.27 Sign up to be notified by email when a new version is posted
This script gives the ability to make your own custom toolbar with Effects, presets or any commands you use the most often.
- EFFECT : set the name of the effect you want to use (See usage details below).
- ANIMATION PRESET : select an animation preset file (ffx) to apply.
- SCRIPT LAUNCHER : select an script file (.jsx or .jsxbin) to launch.
- MENU : set the exact name of any menu item you want to call. For example : Time-Reverse Keyframes.
- JAVASCRIPT : type any javascript that AE understands. More advanced, but you can do some crazy macro command with it. Â You can find javascript snippets here:Â http://www.smipple.net/tag/ft-toolbar (feel free to add your own, simply tag it: ft-Toolbar)
- OS : Any Operating System command you can run into your terminal can be set here. For example calc (on Windows) or open -a Calculator (on Mac) would start the calculator.
Get Effect Name : The EFFECT mode requires the effect matchname. If you don’t know or are not sure about the effect matchname, apply the effect on a layer, select it, and click on this button. It will set the ‘MatchName’ for you. Matchname ares unique name that AE uses to identify specific effects even if they have the same name.
Multiple Toolbars: 
If you want to have more than one toolbar, duplicate and rename the ft-Toolbar.jsxbin file. For example: ft-Toolbar Animation.jsxbin and ft-Toolbar Compositing.jsxbin
Check out this cool demo video by Kiril Ivanov KAGPID showing how to use multiple toolbars in a character animation workflow. The buttons in this demo use this javascript snippet to set the property value at the current time.
Important Update Notice: To allow for multiple toolbars, the config file is now named after the name of the script file so if you suddenly find yourself with a default toolbar, click on the import button and import your old config xml file.
Free Icon Packs:
Download: Roberto Brambila Aether Icon Pack (http://www.robmonstro.com)
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- RB Aether 34×48 orange labels
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- RB Aether 34×48 blue labels
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- RB Aether 34×34
Download: Jørgen Håland icon pack (http://jhaland.com/,http://vimeo.com/jhaland)
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- Jørgen Håland icon pack
Version History:
- 1.27 – Added support for multiple toolbars (Mar 2011)
- 1.26 – fix “browse Animation Presets” btn (Feb 2011)
- 1.25 – (Feb 2011)
- fix xml generator typo
- updated registration display
- added link to javascript snippet sharing site
- 1.15 – fix buttons size for CS3 & CS4 on Mac (Feb 2011)
- 1.1 – (Feb 2011)
- fix about panel in CS3
- fix Import/Export buttons
- fix “Allow Scripts to Write Files” Error
- fix change config path on mac
- resized EditUI buttons for CS4 on mac
- added new default button “launch Aescripts website”
- 1.0 – Initial Release (Feb 2011)
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this is a great script! just bought 2 for the office and for home!
i’m trying to make a button that runs the loopOut(“cycle”); script – how would I go about writing the java in the toolbar edit window for that?
thanks!
Here you go : http://www.smipple.net/snippet/francoisgfx/Set%20Expression%20to%20selected%20property%20%28in%20AE%29
Just create a JS button type, set this code as the command.
In the code replace the wiggle by any expression you want
cheers,
F.
PS : (in next version there will be a special Expression button type
)
Hello François,
I’m using CS 5.5 and ft-toolbar, when I want to load a custom script or icon, everything is greyed out in the “Open” window, do you know if this is an issue that may be caused by my setup ? I can’t open any subfolder to select a script to run…
Thank you !
I can see how powerful this is. I’m sure a Java script can execute this, but I was looking for a tool that could Import multiple AE projects into one and automatically layer them in an order that was pre-determined.
Can this script do that?
Hello François, I’m considering buying the toolbar script, I downloaded the trial version and installed it in the script UI folder of after effects. I left it in my dock and saved my workspace, the quit after effects and start again but an error message occured and forced me to delete my preferences at after effect’s startup. How can I fix this and be able to leave the Toolbar panel in a saved workspace.
thanks
Hello francois,
Great job with the script, love its handiness. I just started using it. got queries for you.
First, the text button is not working. Am i supposed to write something other than “Text” in the command panel??
Second, the buttons remain in a single row and go under other menus when i shrink their dock. How can i arrange them in multiple rows/columns/groups ???
Hey,
i was wondering if there is any possibility to create multiple lines of buttons. for example if i want to have two buttons in each line instead of one giant line.
cheers
Joern
Yes the next version will have this feature
cheers,
F.
hey francois,
cool !!
looking forward to it.
cheers
joern
hi,nice but i think one needs to be able to make groups (fly out menus)otherwise it gets a bit messy.How can i make a ‘Purge all’ Menu button?
Create a Javascript Button and in the command put the following command :
app.purge(PurgeTarget.ALL_CACHES);
this should do a purge all, but you can also replace what is in paranteze by the following if you want to purge specific
PurgeTarget.UNDO_CACHES
PurgeTarget.SNAPSHOT_CACHES
PurgeTarget.IMAGE_CACHES
cheers,
F.
This looks great and tried out the trial. Looking towards some of the changes which have been mentioned before purchasing.
Will we see any update in the near future?
Thanks,
Russ
yes you will
can’t tell you when exactly, I’m working on it though
Sorry guys, I have no idea about coding/scripting but i would love to add a “Add adjustment layer to my toolbar”. I havent found any usable code snippet, the code mentioned in this thread does not work form me. Any ideas?
if you don’t know how to script it, and just simulate the click in the menu “Add adjustment layer”, then you can use a MENU button kind.
Otherwise, if you want to add adjustment layer + some effects + doing some stuff. You need to be more precise, so I could write it for you.
cheers,
F.
Found a bug, or at least I think it is a bug… when i hit the tilda (~) key to go full screen on a panel, usually you can hit it again and go back to normal, but when I did this with FT Toolbar, it was stuck. I had to switch workspaces to something different and then re configure.
Any ideas why this would happen? or a fix?
Win 7 x64 CS5
can you tell if it only happen w/ ft-toolbar or any scripts we provide ?
I have Ease and Wizz docked as well, and it also did the same thing, also, after I was able to get it back to normal, it wouldn’t go full screen. I also tried with the info panel, Audio Panel, Character Panel, and all those acted the way they should.
Hi François !
I’m using your script for a week now.
Nice one, very useful.
I’m just missing one thing… the ability to add a separator between groups of button.
My suggestion : add a button type (“separator”) that create a simple space or a line.
Merci
seperator is on todo for 2.0
cheers,
F.
I think I found a bug… is there a way to add functions for ONLY right-click functions? Something that is not found in the Menu bar? I wanted to make a button for right clicking a layer in the comp timeline and hitting Reveal Layer Source in Project, which isn’t found in the Menu.
unfortunatly I don’t think so, since right click menu is actually a “context menu” something which can change depending on what your are over at the moment you are right clicking.
In another hand maybe the function you would like to call is possible to do via JS ?
I would try that but I know NOTHING of JS… hahaha. care to help? haha
shoot
hi there,can i change the stack order of the buttons at any time?
sure ! in the Edit window you can re-order the buttons list like you want by using the up & down features
cheers,
F.
Any updates on customizing the edit button?
Hey,
I havn’t release an update for it now. I’ll release a new bigger one with it.
Cheers,
F
Hi, In CS4 I get this script to work fine but only in a regular non-dockable window. How do I change it to a dockable window? Thanks!
how do you launch it ? Did you put the script in your ScriptUI folder ? and launch it from the “window” menu ?
http://aescripts.com/faq/how-to-install-and-run-scripts/
F.
Oh boy, I’ve been launching it with Script Launcher. Should have tried launching from the “window” menu. Will definitely purchase! Thanks!
hey man! This is an AMAZING script… probably the most useful one I have ever used to date. Although, there is a little bug that bugs me sometimes…
After you apply a button, say, Trim Comp to Work Area, and then try to use a keyboard shortcut like control S to save, or switch tools… it doesn’t work until you click out somewhere else in the window. Is there a way to fix this somehow?
FYI to Ian Haigh as well… this happens in Ease and Wizz as well… usually when I try to RAM preview…
Thanks!
Topher Welsh
visualfxtuts.com
Thx Topher, I really appriceate !
I’m not quite sure the bugs comes from me :/ Beside those two scripts does it happen with others ? does that happen with all kind of ft-Toolbar’s button or just the MENU one ? which version of AE are you using ?
cheers
F.
I have CS5 latest version, and it happens when I use it on effects as well. I havent’ tried it with any other scripts other than Ease and Wizz and FT-Toolbar. could just be an issue with foreign ScriptUI panels…
Figured it out. I had to re-download the script. The import button was not working.
Got it now.
which version of ft-Toolbar are you using ?
can you send me the xml file by mail ?
cheers
F.
FT,
I am having a weird issue. I am trying to import a config file that a friend created. When I do it just resets everything to the original defaults. Any idea why that would happen?
Thanks
Hi, thanks
for the script, just one slight problem. when i add a preset button to the toolbar is shows up, but does nothing when i hit it.
any ideas?
thanks
the preset file have to be in the default preset folder. I know that it is kind of an issue for most people and that will be changed in future version.
Sorry about that.
cheers
F.
Great… Thankyou
je suis demasqué!
yes my AE is in english and i’ve try 1,2 and even 3 spaces…
Send me your config file (xml) by email (you can find the path to the file in the Toolbar’s Edit window)
I’ll take a look at it.
F.
thank you francois, I typed “Memory Multiprocessing…” in the comande for menu action but… nothing…
it seems the blog is deleting the double space. did you make sure you have 2 spaces between memory and multiprocessing ?
(sinon ton AE est bien en anglais et pas en Français hein ? :p )
hello,
did any one get sucsess with making a buton for “Memory & Multiprocessing…” menu ?
thank you.
yes just keep it like you did but get rid of the ‘&’ char but keep the space before and after (so 2 space between Memory and Multiprocessing… Like : Memory Multiprocessing…
I just did the test and it works for me.
by the way I assumed you were using a MENU button type. AFAIK this panel is not accessible in other ways.
I upgraded today and it’s broken now. My ft-toolbar panel is completely empty. I saw your note, Lloyd, and downloaded the latest from two seconds ago.
I guess it’s possible it lost track of the xml file. I don’t know that file name or where it’s stored.
hum, the file on the server seems to be corrupted since the file is only 0KB when I download it
Sorry about that, we’ll fix that asap
Fixed now!
Not your fault, the file was bad the second time as well but it is definitely fixed now. Sorry for the inconvenience.
I was updated the script to 1.27, but now, it doesn’t work
Message from AE:
Unable to execute script at line 476. FtToolbar is undefined
Please re-download. We accidentally uploaded a non-working version but have quickly fixed it.
Will this work in conjunction with scripts in expression toolbox?
How do you mean? To be able to launch the script?
Lloyd, Yes…to be able to assign to buttons the custom scripts that are setup with Expression Toolbox
I think a lot of us probably have our scripts in our dropboxes…
Makes portability as a freelancer much easier
that will be possible in the next release
F.
Hi,
Very thanks
it comes to following,
Can the button to create a keyframe with a value (eg 6) of the effect of a specific layer and a specific composition?
and from now on I know that this button does just keyframe with this value.
Thank you very much for your time.
here you go !
This should help your started with what you want : http://www.smipple.net/snippet/francoisgfx/Value%20at%20Current%20Time%20for%20ft-toolbar's%20button%20in%20After%20Effects
better link : http://tinyurl.com/4bl3dt7
yes by using a JAVASCRIPT button type. But you would have to be more precise on which one if you want me to write you a snippet
cheers
F
Hi
my question is
Is it possible to make a button to change the values already established effect of layer ?
Thanks
and sorry for my bad english
Thanks for the toolbar
To ask a question?
Can be set to start keyframe button in effect – for example
very grateful
I don’t understand what you mean? would you like to be able to add an effect at a specific time ?
Give me more detail on what you want to do.
Well,Wonderful tool
Thx, glad you like it
hey,
this toolbar is very handy. i’m trying out the trial.
i was wondering if i can have 2 toolbars at the same time?
also, if someone could provide his config file with his button setup. so me and other people have a good amount of buttons to start with and adjust.
thx for this great script, francois!
cheers daniel
I’ll be working on having a multi-toolbar for the future version. It’s on my todo anyway. I still have to figure which is the best way to start with
thx for your feedback man.
Cheers
F
What is the latest version? I have 1.25. No matter what I do I can’t get the launch script…..or get effect name buttons to work…… everything else works fine……but the two features that do not work is the reason I got this script.
I don’t have a screen cap software….I go to edit……add button select script launcher from the menu….then when I try to click on the button to browse script….nothing happens. It does not even act like a button ( has no rollover effect ). Please help.
Where do I download an update?….
1.26 fixed everything for me……..this is so useful.
Thanks!
I usually keep my scripts in my Dropbox. Please note that for the script to be executed from ft-toolbar they need to be on your scripts folder in after effects. I was going crazy with that.
hum this is true !
Just added it to my TODO list, I’ll think of it next time I make a new version.
thx for your feedback, and I’m glad to hear the last release fixed everything for you
Great script!
I can’t seem to get the animation preset button to work though…I’m trying to call some user scripts and I can create the button ok, it just doesn’t call the preset when I hit the button
Thanks
Alex
this should be fix in the next version. The browse animation preset didn’t show anymore
v1.26 just posted fixes this problem.
Actually non of them work…..I tried doing a match name on an effect by clicking the “Get effect name” button according to the instructions. Mac OSX 10.6.6 / CS5
hi,
we can’t seems to reproduce your bug. There were an issue for sure with the “Browse Animation Presets”. This is fixed in the next version.
But for us the “Get Effect name”, “browse script” and other stuff are working fine.
If you still have issue with the last one (should be uploaded very soon), can you send us a screencast ?
I can’t seem to be able to navigate to select a script. I select script launcher……but when I click on the browse script button nothing happens.
That tells me something …
here : http://aenhancers.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1590
No comment
Cfx
hi
, launchpad, quickFx, Get Sh*t done,…
I’m not sure to know what’s your point, but yes there is several scripts doing toolbars
cheers,
F
Howdy,
I’m (slowly) working on an icon set…
Quick question:
How would we go about assigning a custom icon to the edit button?
At the moment it looks horrible having a bunch of custom icons and being stuck with the default icon for the edit button.
Cheers,
Nathan
hum… didn’t think about that one ! definitely on my todo list now. Right now the Edit Btn is hardcoded in the script to make sure the user do not delete or mess with it :p. But I can find a way around to bring it in the editUI list.
I’ll think about it for sure… thx
I downloaded the updated version of the script.
When I paste the code in again and hit ok.
All the buttons disappear which means the XML doc has been erased.
that’s “normal” I know the bug, it’s just going to take me a little longer to fix it, so I wanted to release a first version which solved all the other bugs. But don’t worry it’s going to be fix very soon
I deleted the XML file and successfully relaunched the ft_Toolbar.
I pasted in the code again into a fresh new button and again all the buttons disappeared after clicking OK.
Nope tried again and again it doesn’t work.
I pasted your script into TextEdit and converted it to plain text pasted it in no go.
I then docked the UI window because that previously had an effect on some scripts.
No go there either.
don’t worry I’m pretty sure I know the bug, but I would need the actual file not what is inside. could you send it to us by mail please ?
by the way when you did paste the snippet in the command field. did you do it w/ or w/o the comments ?
thx
With out the comments
One way around the greyed-out directories is to navigate to the desire directory and drag directory icon to the far left navigation column when in column mode. This will give access to any directory in that column for example you home folder.
My problem is that no matter how I type Solid/Solid… I can only get the solid to turn up in the project window and not even in the solids folder. I built my only button UI with this code:
function Solid(){app.beginUndoGroup("New Solid");
var comp = app.project.activeItem;
var new_solid = comp.layers.addSolid([.5,.5,.5], "Quick Solid", comp.width,comp.height,comp.pixelAspect,comp.duration);
app.endUndoGroup();
}
And also was able to have Adjustment layers land in the comp immediately above a selected layer using:
function AjLayer(){app.beginUndoGroup("Adjustment Layer");
var myComp = app.project.activeItem;
var myLayers = myComp.selectedLayers;
var myIndex = myLayers.index;
var new_solid = comp.layers.addSolid([.5,.5,.5], "Adustment Layer", myComp.width,myComp.height,myComp.pixelAspect,myComp.duration); // add solid in comp
new_solid.moveBefore(myLayers.layer(myIndex));
myComp.layer(1).adjustmentLayer=true;
app.endUndoGroup();
}
Is there any way to add in this functionality.
Actually I just answered my own question.
I could separate out these functions as stand alone scripts and connect them to the lauch script button. Hmmm… I’ll give that a go.
Actually no that hasn’t worked yet. The syntax is a bit of a mystery just for now.
Have to work it out later.
actually your code works great to me. Here is how I set the button
- Create a new Button
- Select JAVASCRIPT type
- put the following code in the “Command” field:
//--Code begins here//--this will create a Gray solid the size of the current comp
app.beginUndoGroup(
Actually no that doesn’t work for me.
After three attempts all of the buttons in the UI pallet have disappeared.
When I relaunch the ft_Toolbar the UI window is completely empty.
could you please retrieve your config file on your harddrive and send it to us by mail ?
If you didn’t change its location I believe on mac it is supposed to be in your appdata folder into a folder named Aescripts.
I think I already know what the issue is, but I can’t confirm it without looking into the config file.
cheers
F.
40
20
1
Test
Button
JAVASCRIPT
app.beginUndoGroup(
Its happening with both Icons and saving the file in a new directory… Its a universal bug… And I did try to open them but it wasnt working. I tried on a different mac as well as trashing all my prefs and nothing helped.
so you are saying that you cannot load icons either ?
Same problem here. I try to load a icon. I can´t select the directory. Mac and CS5 too. THX
On icons ? you don’t try to open anything else that PNG right ?
Or are you talking about grayed files & folders ? even if there are grey did you try to open them no matter what ?
F
Hey! Just bought this and my only problem I’m having is the save button is grayed out when I try to change the directory to my dropbox. I’m running on a Mac with AECS5. Any help would be grateful!! I’ve been wanting something like this for a long time!
Sorry about that. It seems to be a bug happening on Mac. I’m gonna look into that asap !
thx
hey even if there are grayed, did you try to open them ?
F.
Sooooo cooool!
Ca c’est du lourd !
BRAVO
Merci