Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 7.0 - Expression Presets; To Convert an Expression to Keyframes

ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 7.0
User Guide
563
• To apply an expression to a different property in the same layer or a different layer without copying keyframes,
select the layer property that contains the expression, choose Edit > Copy Expression Only, select a different
property in the desired layer, and choose Edit > Paste.
You can also save an expression as an animation preset and then apply that animation preset to another layer.
See also
“About animation and layer properties” on page 188
“To apply an animation preset” on page 202
To convert an expression to keyframes
In some situations, it may be useful to convert an expression to keyframes. For example, if you want to freeze the
values in an expression, you can convert the expression to keyframes and then adjust the keyframes accordingly; or,
if an expression takes a long time to evaluate, you can convert it to keyframes so that it renders more quickly. When
you convert an expression to keyframes, After Effects evaluates the expression, creating a keyframe at every frame,
and then disables the expression.
❖ In the Timeline panel, select the property in which the expression is written and choose Animation > Keyframe
Assistant > Convert Expression To Keyframes.
See also
“About animation and layer properties” on page 188
“Using keyframes” on page 192
Expression presets
Animation presets can include expressions. In fact, an animation preset may consist of only an expression. When you
save a preset in which a property has an expression but no keyframes, only the expression is saved. If the property
has one or more keyframes, the saved preset will contain the expression along with all keyframe values.
An example of a particularly useful animation preset that includes an expression is the Separate XYZ Position
animation preset, which creates individual properties for x, y, and z components of position. These properties can
then be easily manipulated individually, with keyframes, expressions, or other means. Choose Animation > Apply
Animation Preset, and select Separate XYZ Position to apply this animation preset to a layer.
See also
“To apply an animation preset” on page 202
“To save an animation preset” on page 203