AEGP Suites

As mentioned earlier, AEGPs do everything through suites. The following suites are used by all types of AEGPs, and may be called from within any hook function (except for the RegisterSuite, which must be used from within the AEGP’s entry point). Following is a description of each function in every suite, and, where appropriate details on using those functions.

Suite

Description

Memory Suite

Manage memory resources. Use this suite! Whenever memory-related errors are encountered, After Effects can report errors for you.

Command Suite

Manage your AEGP’s menu items. Used in conjunction with the Register Suite.

Register Suite

Used in conjunction with the Command Suite to add functions to menu commands. AEIOs and Artisans must use this suite’s functions to indicate to After Effects that they want to receive the appropriate message streams. You can replace some After Effects’ commands using this suite.

Project Suite

Reads and modifies project data.

Item Suite

Manages items within a project or composition. Folders, Compositions, Solids, and Footage are all items.

Collection Suite

Query which items are currently selected, and create your own selection sets. It’s often a good UI move to select all the items your AEGP has modified, just to give the user some idea what you’ve done.

Composition Suite

Manages (and creates) compositions in a project, and composition-specific items like solids.

Footage Suite

Manages footage.

Layer Suite

Provides information about the layers within a composition, and the relationship(s) between the source and layer times. Solids, text, paint, cameras, lights, images, and image sequences can all become layers.

Effect Suite

Provides access to the effects applied to a layer. Use Stream suites to obtain effect keyframe information. Use AEGP_EffectCallGeneric() (in AEGP_EffectSuite4) to communicate with effects that you setup ahead of time to respond to your AEGP.

Stream Suite

Used to access the values of a layer’s keyframe properties.

Dynamic Stream Suite

Used to access the characteristics of dynamic streams associated with a layer.

Keyframe Suite

Used to access and manipulate all keyframe data.

Marker Suite

Used to manipulate markers. Use AEGP_GetNewCompMarkerStream() (in AEGP_CompSuite11) to get the composition marker stream.

Mask Suite

Provides access to retrieve information about a layer’s masks.

Mask Outline Suite

Used in conjunction with Stream Suite, this suite provides detailed information about the path rendered to make a layer’s mask.

Text Document Suite

Used to access the actual text on a text layer.

Text Layer Suite

Used to access the paths that make up the outlines of a text layer.

Utility Suite

Supplies error message handling, AEGP version checking and access to After Effects’ undo stack.

Persistent Data Suite

Query and manage all persistent data (i.e., the preferences file). AEGPs can also add their own data to the prefs.

Color Settings Suite

Obtain information on After Effects’ current color management settings.

Render Suite

Get rendered frames (and audio samples) from within an AEGP.

World Suite

Allocate, dispose of, and query AEGP_Worlds. Also provides a way to convert a PF_EffectWorld into an AEGP_World, for working with effect plug-ins.

Composite Suite

Exposes After Effects’ compositing functionality, including transfer modes, track matting, and good old fashioned bit copying.

Sound Data Suite

Functions for managing and accessing sound data.

Render Queue Suite

Add and remove items from the render queue.

Render Queue Item Suite

Query and modify items in the render queue.

Render Options Suite

Query and manage all items exposed in a render queue item’s options dialog.

Output Module Suite

Query and modify the output modules attached to items in the render queue.

PF Interface Suite

The functions in this suite, while technically part of the AEGP API, are for use by effects.

AEGP Iterate Suite

Gives AEGPs a way to have a function (which has the required signature) to be run on any or all available processors.

File Import Manager Suite

Registers AEGP file and project importers as part of After Effects’ file handling.


Fail Gracefully

If a suite isn’t present, make every attempt to fail gracefully. Show the user a message indicating the nature of the problem. Attempt to acquire and use an earlier version of the same suite.

Since AEGPs are so deeply integrated with After Effects, make sure that users know who or what is encountering a given problem.

Identify yourself! Provide support and/or help information to the user whenever possible.


Handling Handles

Use the AEGP Memory Suite to manage memory used by the AEGP. Whenever memory related errors are encountered, After Effects can report errors for you to find early on.

AEGP_MemHandle is a structure that contains more than just the referenced memory. So it should not be dereferenced directly. Use AEGP_LockMemHandle to get a pointer to the memory referenced by the AEGP_MemHandle.

And of course, unlock it when you’re done.

AEGP_MemorySuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_NewMemHandle

Create a new memory handle. This memory is guaranteed to be 16-byte aligned. plugin_id is the ID passed in through the main Entry Point, or alternatively what you obtained from AEGP_RegisterWithAEGP() (from AEGP_UtilitySuite6).

Use whatZ to identify the memory you are asking for. After Effects uses the string to display any related error messages.

AEGP_NewMemHandle(
  AEGP_PluginID   *plugin_id,
  const A_char    *whatZ,
  AEGP_MemSize    size,
  AEGP_MemFlag    flags,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *memPH);

AEGP_FreeMemHandle

Release a handle you allocated using AEGP_NewMemHandle().

AEGP_FreeMemHandle(
  AEGP_MemHandle  memH);

AEGP_LockMemHandle

Locks the handle into memory (cannot be moved by OS). Use this function prior to using memory allocated by AEGP_NewMemHandle. Can be nested.

AEGP_LockMemHandle(
  AEGP_MemHandle  memH,
  void            **ptr_to_ptr);

AEGP_UnlockMemHandle

Allows OS to move the referenced memory. Always balance lock calls with unlocks.

AEGP_UnlockMemHandle(
  AEGP_MemHandle  memH);

AEGP_GetMemHandleSize

Returns the allocated size of the handle.

AEGP_GetMemHandleSize AEGP_MemHandle memH,
  AEGP_MemSize  *sizeP);

AEGP_ResizeMemHandle

Changes the allocated size of the handle.

AEGP_ResizeMemHandle(
  const char      *whatZ,
  AEGP_MemSize    new_size,
  AEGP_MemHandle  memH);

AEGP_SetMemReportingOn

If After Effects runs into problems with the memory handling, the error should be reported to the user. Make use of this during development!

Only memory allocated and then leaked using this suite is reported using this call, so for example memory allocated using PF_HandleSuite1 will not be reported.

AEGP_SetMemReportingOn(
  A_Boolean  turn_OnB);

AEGP_GetMemStats

Obtain information about the number of currently allocated handles and their total size.

Only memory allocated using this suite is tracked and reported using this call, so for example memory allocated using PF_HandleSuite1 will not be reported here.

AEGP_GetMemStats(
  AEGP_MemID  mem_id,
  A_long      *countPL,
  A_long      *sizePL);

Managing Menu Items

Command Suites allow you to create and handle any menu events.

To add your own menu commands, you must also use Register Suite to assign handlers to menu events.

AEGP_CommandSuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetUniqueCommand

Obtain a unique command identifier. Use the Register Suite to register a handler for the command.

AEGP_GetUniqueCommand(
  AEGP_Command  *unique_commandP);

Note: On occasion After Effects will send command 0 (zero), so don’t use that as part of your command handling logic.

AEGP_InsertMenuCommand

Add a new menu command. Using nameZ = “-” will insert a separator. menu_ID can be:

  • AEGP_Menu_NONE

  • AEGP_Menu_APPLE

  • AEGP_Menu_FILE

  • AEGP_Menu_EDIT

  • AEGP_Menu_COMPOSITION

  • AEGP_Menu_LAYER

  • AEGP_Menu_EFFECT

  • AEGP_Menu_WINDOW

  • AEGP_Menu_FLOATERS

  • AEGP_Menu_KF_ASSIST

  • AEGP_Menu_IMPORT

  • AEGP_Menu_SAVE_FRAME_AS

  • AEGP_Menu_PREFS

  • AEGP_Menu_EXPORT

  • AEGP_Menu_ANIMATION

  • AEGP_Menu_PURGE

  • AEGP_Menu_NEW - Supported in CC and later

Locations can be set to a specific location in the menu or can be one assigned by After Effects:

  • AEGP_MENU_INSERT_SORTED

  • AEGP_MENU_INSERT_AT_BOTTOM

  • AEGP_MENU_INSERT_AT_TOP

For AEGP_Menu_WINDOW, the BOTTOM and TOP options haven’t been supported since CS4 and will return an error. We recommend SORTED.

AEGP_InsertMenuCommand(
  AEGP_Command  command,
  const A_char  *nameZ,
  AEGP_MenuID   menu_id,
  A_long        after_itemL);

AEGP_RemoveMenuCommand

Remove a menu command. If you were so motivated, you could remove ALL of the After Effects menu items.

AEGP_RemoveMenuCommand(
  AEGP_Command  command);

AEGP_SetCommandName

Set menu name of a command.

AEGP_SetCommandName(
  AEGP_Command  command,
  const A_char  *nameZ);

AEGP_EnableCommand

Enable a menu command.

AEGP_EnableCommand(
  AEGP_Command  command);

AEGP_DisableCommand

Disable a menu command.

AEGP_DisableCommand(
  AEGP_Command  command);

AEGP_CheckMarkMenuCommand

After Effects will draw a check mark next to the menu command.

AEGP_CheckMarkMenuCommand(
  AEGP_Command  command,
  A_Boolean     checkB);

AEGP_DoCommand

Call the handler for a specified menu command. Every After Effects menu item has an associated command. Note that we make no guarantees that command IDs will be consistent from version to version.

AEGP_DoCommand(
  AEGP_Command  command);

Having given the disclaimer above, here are a few command numbers that have been supplied to other developers, and may be of interest:

  • 3061 - Open selection, ignoring any modifier keys.

  • 10314 - Play/Stop (valid in 13.5 and later)

  • 2285 - RAM Preview (valid prior to 13.5)

  • 2415 - Play (spacebar) (valid prior to 13.5)

  • 2997 - Crop composition to region of interest.

  • 2372 - Edit > Purge > Image Caches

If your AEGP needs to call some other After Effects menu item, there’s a fairly easy way to find out most commands you want, using scripting:

cmd = app.findMenuCommandId(text); // e.g. text = "Open Project…"
alert(cmd);

With AE running, just open up Adobe ExtendScript Toolkit CC, copy the above script in, and in the app drop-down choose the version of After Effects you have running. Then hit the Play button to run the script in AE. Otherwise, contact <mailto:zlam@adobe.com> API Engineering for the command number.


Registering with After Effects

Register functions for After Effects’ use.

AEGP_RegisterSuites5

Function

Purpose

AEGP_RegisterCommandHook

Register a hook (command handler) function with After Effects.

If you are replacing a function which After Effects also handles, AEGP_HookPriority determines whether your plug-in gets it first.

  • AEGP_HP_BeforeAE

  • AEGP_HP_AfterAE

For each menu item you add, obtain your own AEGP_Command using AEGP_GetUniqueCommand() (from AEGP_CommandSuite1) prior registering a single command_hook_func.

Determine which command was sent within this hook function, and act accordingly.

Currently, AEGP_HookPriority is ignored.

AEGP_RegisterCommandHook(
  AEGP_PluginID      aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_HookPriority  hook_priority,
  AEGP_Command       command,
  AEGP_CommandHook   command_hook_func
  void               *refconPV);

AEGP_RegisterUpdateMenuHook

Register your menu update function (which determines whether or not items are active), called every time any menu is to be drawn.

This hook function handles updates for all menus.

AEGP_RegisterUpdateMenuHook(
  AEGP_PluginID        aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_UpdateMenuHook  update_menu_hook_func,
  void                 *refconPV);

AEGP_RegisterDeathHook

Register your termination function. Called when the application quits.

AEGP_RegisterDeathHook(
  AEGP_PluginID   aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_DeathHook  death_hook_func,
  void            *refconPV);

AEGP_RegisterVersionHook

Currently not called.

AEGP_RegisterAboutStringHook

Currently not called.

AEGP_RegisterAboutHook

Currently not called.

AEGP_RegisterArtisan

Register your Artisan. See Artisans for more details.

AEGP_RegisterArtisan(
  A_Version              api_version,
  A_Version              Artisan_version,
  long                   aegp_plugin_id,
  void                   *aegp_refconPV,
  const A_char           *match_nameZ,
  const A_char           *Artisan_nameZ,
  PR_ArtisanEntryPoints  *entry_funcsP);

AEGP_RegisterIO

Register your AEIO plug-in. See AEIOs for more details.

AEGP_RegisterIO (
  AEGP_PluginID              aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_IORefcon              aegp_refconP,
  const AEIO_ModuleInfo      *io_infoP,
  const AEIO_FunctionBlock4  *aeio_fcn_blockP);

AEGP_RegisterIdleHook

Register your IdleHook function. After Effects will call the function sporadically, while the user makes difficult artistic decisions (or while they’re getting more coffee).

AEGP_RegisterIdleHook(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_IdleHook    idle_hook_func,
  AEGP_IdleRefcon  refconP);

AEGP_RegisterInteractiveArtisan

Registers your AEGP as an interactive artisan, for use in previewing and rendering all layers in a given composition.

AEGP_RegisterInteractiveArtisan (
  A_Version              api_version,
  A_Version              artisan_version,
  AEGP_PluginID          aegp_plugin_id,
  void                   *aegp_refconPV,
  const A_char           *match_nameZ,
  const A_char           *artisan_nameZ,
  PR_ArtisanEntryPoints  *entry_funcsP);

AEGP_RegisterPresetLocalizationString

Call this to register as many strings as you like for name-replacement when presets are loaded.

Any time a Property name is found, or referred to in an expression, and it starts with an ASCII tab character (’t’), followed by one of the English names, it will be replaced with the localized name.

(In English the tab character will simply be removed).

AEGP_RegisterPresetLocalizationString(
  const A_char  *english_nameZ,
  const A_char  *localized_nameZ);

Manage Projects

These functions access and modify project data. Support for multiple projects is included to prepare for future expansion; After Effects currently adheres to the single project model.

To save project-specific data in After Effects’ preferences (and thus, outside the projects themselves), use the Persistent Data Suite.

Use caution: the functions for opening and creating projects do not save changes to the project currently open when they are called!

AEGP_ProjSuite6

Function

Purpose

AEGP_NumProjects

Currently will never return more than 1. After Effects can have only one project open at a time.

AEGP_GetNumProjects(
  A_long  *num_projPL)

AEGP_GetIndProject

Retrieves a specific project by index.

AEGP_GetProjectProjectByIndex(
  A_long         proj_indexL,
  AEGP_ProjectH  *projPH);

AEGP_GetProjectName

Get the project name (up to AEGP_MAX_PROJ_NAME_LEN + 1) in length.

AEGP_GetProjectName(
  AEGP_ProjectH  projH,
  A_char         *nameZ);

AEGP_GetProjectPath

Get the path of the project (empty string the project hasn’t been saved yet).

The path is a handle to a NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char string, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetProjectPath(
  AEGP_ProjectH   projH,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *unicode_pathPH)

AEGP_GetProjectRootFolder

Get the root of the project, which After Effects also treats as a folder.

AEGP_GetProjectRootFolder(
  AEGP_ProjectH  projH,
  AEGP_ItemH     *root_folderPH)

AEGP_SaveProjectToPath

Saves the entire project to the specified full path.

The file path is a NULL-terminated UTF-16 string with platform separators.

AEGP_SaveProjectToPath(
  AEGP_ProjectH      projH,
  const A_UTF16Char  *pathZ);

AEGP_GetProjectTimeDisplay

Retrieves the current time display settings.

AEGP_GetProjectTimeDisplay(
  AEGP_ProjectH      projH,
  AEGP_TimeDisplay3  *time_displayP);

typedef struct {
  AEGP_TimeDisplayMode            display_mode;
  AEGP_SourceTimecodeDisplayMode  footage_display_mode;
  A_Boolean                       display_dropframeB;
  A_Boolean                       use_feet_framesB;
  A_char                          timebaseC;
  A_char                          frames_per_footC;
  AEGP_FramesDisplayMode          frames_display_mode;
} AEGP_TimeDisplay3;

enum {
  AEGP_TimeDisplay_TIMECODE = 0,
  AEGP_TimeDisplay_FRAMES
};

typedef char AEGP_TimeDisplayMode;

enum {
  AEGP_SourceTimecode_ZERO= 0,
  AEGP_SourceTimecode_SOURCE_TIMECODE
};

typedef char AEGP_SourceTimecodeDisplayMode;

enum {
  AEGP_Frames_ZERO_BASED= 0,
  AEGP_Frames_ONE_BASED,
  AEGP_Frames_TIMECODE_CONVERSION
};

typedef char AEGP_FramesDisplayMode;

AEGP_SetProjectTimeDisplay

Specified the settings to be used for displaying time.

AEGP_SetProjectTimeDisplay(
  AEGP_ProjectH            projH,
  const AEGP_TimeDisplay3  *time_displayP);

AEGP_ProjectIsDirty

Returns TRUE if the project has been modified since it was opened.

AEGP_ProjectIsDirty(
  AEGP_ProjectH  projH,
  A_Boolean      *is_dirtyPB);

AEGP_SaveProjectAs

Saves the project to the specified path.

The file path is a NULL-terminated UTF-16 string with platform separators.

NOTE: This will overwrite an existing file.

AEGP_SaveProjectAs(
  AEGP_ProjectH      projH,
  const A_UTF16Char  *pathZ);

AEGP_NewProject

Creates a new project. NOTE: Will close the current project without saving it first!

AEGP_NewProject(
  AEGP_ProjectH  *new_projectPH);

AEGP_OpenProjectFromPath

Opens a project from the supplied path, and returns its AEGP_ProjectH.

The file path is a NULL-terminated UTF-16 string with platform separators.

NOTE: Will close the current project without saving it first!

AEGP_OpenProjectFromPath(
  const A_UTF16Char  *pathZ,
  AEGP_ProjectH      *projectPH);

AEGP_GetProjectBitDepth

Retrieves the project bit depth.

AEGP_GetProjectBitDepth(
  AEGP_Projec        tH projectH,
  AEGP_ProjBitDepth  *bit_depthP);

AEGP_ProjBitDepth will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_ProjBitDepth_8

  • AEGP_ProjBitDepth_16

  • AEGP_ProjBitDepth_32

AEGP_SetProjectBitDepth

Sets the project bit depth. Undoable.

AEGP_SetProjectBitDepth(
  AEGP_ProjectH      projectH,
  AEGP_ProjBitDepth  bit_depth);

AEGP_TimeDisplay2

Note

Values in unused fields persist when After Effects is using a different display type.

Member

Description

AEGP_TimeDisplayType type;

One of the following:

  • AEGP_TimeDisplayType_TIMECODE

  • AEGP_TimeDisplayType_FRAMES

  • AEGP_TimeDisplayType_FEET_AND_FRAMES

A_char timebaseC;

0 - 100. Only used for AEGP_TimeDisplayType_TIMECODE.

A_Boolean non_drop_30B;

When the timebase is 30 and the item’s framerate is 29.97, determines whether to display as non-drop frame.

A_char frames_per_footC;

Only used for AEGP_TimeDisplayType_FEET_AND_FRAMES.

A_long starting_frameL;

Usually 0 or 1. Not used when type is usually 0 or 1, not used for AEGP_TimeDisplayType_TIMECODE.

A_Boolean auto_timecode_baseB;

If TRUE, the project timecode display setting is set to auto.


Control Items Within Projects

Accesses and modifies items within a project or composition.

Anything in the project bin is an AEGP_Item. Note that cameras have no source, and thus have no AEGP_ItemH.

Unless more specificity is required for the function(s) you’re using, remain as abstract as possible; AEGP_Comps are passed into and returned from most functions as AEGP_Items.

AEGP_ItemSuite9

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetFirstProjItem

Retrieves the first item in a given project.

AEGP_GetFirstProjItem(
  AEGP_ProjectH  projectH,
  AEGP_ItemH     *itemPH);

AEGP_GetNextProjItem

Retrieves the next project item; *next_itemPH will be NULL after the last item.

AEGP_GetNextProjItem(
  AEGP_ProjectH  projectH,
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH,
  AEGP_ItemH     *next_itemPH);

AEGP_GetActiveItem

If the Project window is active, the active item is the selected item (if only one item is selected). If a Composition, Timeline, or Footage window is active, returns the parent of the layer associated with the front-most tab in the window.

Returns NULL if no item is active.

AEGP_GetActiveItem(
  AEGP_ItemH  *itemPH,

AEGP_IsItemSelected

Returns true if the Project window is active and the item is selected.

AEGP_IsItemSelected(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_Boolean   *selectedPB)

AEGP_SelectItem

Toggles the selection state of the item, and (depending on deselect_othersB) can deselect other items. This call selects items in the Project panel.

To make selections in the Composition panel, use AEGP_SetSelection from AEGP_CompSuite11.

AEGP_SelectItem(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_Boolean   selectB,
  A_Boolean   deselect_othersB);

AEGP_GetItemType

Gets type of an item. Note: solids don’t appear in the project, but can be the source to a layer.

AEGP_GetItemType(
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH,
  AEGP_ItemType  *item_typeP);

Items are one of the following types:

  • AEGP_ItemType_NONE

  • AEGP_ItemType_FOLDER

  • AEGP_ItemType_COMP

  • AEGP_ItemType_SOLID

  • AEGP_ItemType_FOOTAGE

AEGP_GetTypeName

Get name of type. (name length up to AEGP_MAX_TYPE_NAME_LEN + 1).

AEGP_GetTypeName(
  AEGP_ItemType  item_type,
  A_char         *nameZ);

AEGP_GetItemName

Get item name. (name length has no limit). unicode_namePH points to A_UTF16Char (contains null terminated UTF16 string).

It must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle .

AEGP_GetItemName(
  AEGP_PluginID  pluginID,
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH,
  AEGP_MemHandle *unicode_namePH);

AEGP_SetItemName

Specifies the name of the AEGP_ItemH. (name length has no limit). Undoable.

AEGP_SetItemName(
  AEGP_ItemH         itemH,
  const A_UTF16Char  *nameZ);

AEGP_GetItemID

Returns the item’s unique ID, which persists across saves and loads of the project.

AEGP_GetItemID(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_long      *item_idPL);

AEGP_GetItemFlags

Get properties of an item.

AEGP_GetItemFlags(
  AEGP_ItemH      itemH,
  AEGP_ItemFlags  *item_flagsP);

Flag values (may be OR’d together):

  • AEGP_ItemFlag_MISSING

  • AEGP_ItemFlag_HAS_PROXY

  • AEGP_ItemFlag_USING_PROXY

  • AEGP_ItemFlag_MISSING_PROXY

  • AEGP_ItemFlag_HAS_VIDEO

  • AEGP_ItemFlag_HAS_AUDIO

  • AEGP_ItemFlag_STILL

  • AEGP_ItemFlag_HAS_ACTIVE_AUDIO

Unlike the HAS_AUDIO flag, this bit flag will set only if the comp has at least one layer where audio is actually on.

AEGP_SetItemUseProxy

Toggle item’s proxy usage. Undoable.

AEGP_SetItemUseProxy(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_Boolean   use_proxyB);

AEGP_GetItemParentFolder

Get folder containing item.

AEGP_GetItemParentFolder(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  AEGP_ItemH  *parent_itemPH);

AEGP_SetItemParentFolder

Sets an item’s parent folder. Undoable.

AEGP_SetItemParentFolder(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  AEGP_ItemH  parent_folderH);

AEGP_GetItemDuration

Get duration of item, in seconds.

AEGP_GetItemDuration(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_Time      *durationPT);

AEGP_GetItemCurrentTime

Get current time within item. Not updated while rendering.

AEGP_GetItemCurrentTime(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_long      *curr_timePT);

AEGP_GetItemDimensions

Get width and height of item.

AEGP_GetItemDimensions(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_long      *widthPL)
  A_long      *heightPL);

AEGP_GetItemPixelAspectRatio

Get the width of a pixel, assuming its height is 1.0, as numerator over denominator.

AEGP_GetItemPixelAspectRatio(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_Ratio     *ratioPRt);

AEGP_DeleteItem

Removes item from all compositions. Undo-able. Do not use the AEGP_ItemH after calling this function.

AEGP_DeleteItem(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH);

AEGP_GetItemSolidColor

Removed in AEGP_ItemSuite4. See AEGP_GetSolidFootageColor from AEGP_FootageSuite5

Given a solid item, return its color.

AEGP_GetItemSolidColor(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  PF_Pixel    *PF_Pixel);

AEGP_SetSolidColor

Removed in AEGP_ItemSuite4. See AEGP_SetSolidFootageColor from AEGP_FootageSuite5.

Sets the color of an existing solid (error if itemH is not a solid).

AEGP_SetSolidColor(
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH,
  AEGP_ColorVal  color);

AEGP_SetSolidDimensions

Removed in AEGP_ItemSuite4. See AEGP_SetSolidFootageDimensions from AEGP_FootageSuite5.

Sets the dimensions of an existing solid (error if itemH is not a solid).

AEGP_SetSolidDimensions(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_short     widthS,
  A_short     heightS);

AEGP_CreateNewFolder

Creates a new folder in the project. The newly created folder is allocated and owned by After Effects.

Passing NULL for parent_folderH0 creates the folder at the project’s root.

AEGP_CreateNewFolder(
  const A_UTF16Char  *nameZ,
  AEGP_ProjectH      projH),
  AEGP_ItemH         parentH0),
  AEGP_ItemH         *new_folderPH);

AEGP_SetItemCurrentTime

Sets the current time within a given itemH.

AEGP_SetItemCurrentTime(
  AEGP_ItemH    itemH,
  const A_Time  *new_timePT);

AEGP_GetItemCommentLength

Removed in ItemSuite9. Retrieves the length (in characters) of the itemH's comment.

AEGP_GetItemCommentLength(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_u_long    *buf_sizePLu);

AEGP_GetItemComment

Updated to support Unicode in ItemSuite9, available in 14.1. Retrieves the itemH's comment.

AEGP_GetItemComment(
  AEGP_ItemH      itemH,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *unicode_namePH);

AEGP_SetItemComment

Updated to support Unicode in ItemSuite9, available in 14.1. Sets the itemH's comment.

AEGP_SetItemComment(
  AEGP_ItemH         itemH,
  const A_UTF16Char  *commentZ);

AEGP_GetItemLabel

Retrieves an item’s label.

AEGP_GetItemLabel(
  AEGP_ItemH    itemH,
  AEGP_LabelID  *labelP);

AEGP_SetItemLabel

Sets an item’s label.

AEGP_SetItemLabel(
  AEGP_ItemH    itemH,
  AEGP_LabelID  label);

AEGP_GetItemMRUView

Gets an item’s most recently used view. The view can be used with two calls in the AEGP_ColorSettingsSuite, to perform a color transform on a pixel buffer from working to view color space.

AEGP_GetItemMRUView(
  AEGP_ItemH      itemH,
  AEGP_ItemViewP  *mru_viewP);

Note

AEGP_RenderNewItemSoundData() used to be here, but is now part of AEGP_RenderSuite4.


Managing Selections

This suite manages selection states, mirroring the functionality supplied by vectors in the C++ Standard Template Library.

Many types of items may be simultaneously selected in After Effects; AEGP_CollectionItems are unions of layer, mask, effect, stream, mask vertex, and keyframe items.

First acquire the current collection, then iterate across its members to ensure that whatever your AEGP does is applicable to each.

We’ve added AEGP_Collection2H and AEGP_CollectionItemV2 so that selected dynamic streams can be handled with the AEGP_CollectionSuite.

AEGP_CollectionSuite2

Function

Purpose

AEGP_NewCollection

Creates and returns a new, empty collection. To obtain the current composition’s selection as a collection, use AEGP_GetNewCollectionFromCompSelection.

AEGP_NewCollection(
  AEGP_PluginID      plugin_id,
  AEGP_Collection2H  *collectionPH);

AEGP_DisposeCollection

Disposes of a collection.

AEGP_DisposeCollection(
  AEGP_Collection2H  collectionH);

AEGP_GetCollectionNumItems

Returns the number of items contained in the given collection.

AEGP_GetCollectionNumItems(
  AEGP_Collection2H  collectionH,
  A_u_long           *num_itemsPL);

AEGP_GetCollectionItemByIndex

Retrieves (creates and populates) the index’d collection item.

AEGP_GetCollectionItemByIndex(
  AEGP_Collection2H      collectionH,
  A_u_long               indexL,
  AEGP_CollectionItemV2  *itemP);

AEGP_CollectionPushBack

Adds an item to the given collection.

AEGP_CollectionPushBack(
  AEGP_Collection2H            collectionH,
  const AEGP_CollectionItemV2  *itemP);

AEGP_CollectionErase

Removes an index’d item (or items) from a given collection. NOTE: this range is exclusive, like STL iterators. To erase the first item, you would pass 0 and 1, respectively.

AEGP_CollectionErase(
  AEGP_Collection2H  collectionH,
  A_u_long           index_firstL,
  A_u_long           index_lastL);

Ownership Of Collection Items

When AEGP_StreamRefHs are inserted into a collection, they are adopted by the collection; do not free them.

AEGP_EffectRefHs, on the other hand, are not adopted, and must be freed by the calling AEGP.


Manipulate Compositions

Provide information about the compositions in a project, and create cameras, lights, and solids.

AEGP_CompSuite11

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetCompFromItem

Retrieves the handle to the composition, given an item handle. Returns NULL if itemH is not an AEGP_CompH.

AEGP_GetCompFromItem(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  AEGP_CompH  *compPH);

AEGP_GetItemFromComp

Used to get the item handle, given a composition handle.

AEGP_GetItemFromComp(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  AEGP_ItemH  *itemPH);

AEGP_GetCompDownsampleFactor

Returns current downsample factor. Measured in pixels X by Y. Users can choose a custom downsample factor with independent X and Y.

AEGP_GetCompDownsampleFactor(
  AEGP_CompH             compH,
  AEGP_DownsampleFactor  *dsfP);

AEGP_SetCompDownsampleFactor

Sets the composition’s downsample factor.

AEGP_SetCompDownsampleFactor(
  AEGP_CompH             compH,
  AEGP_DownsampleFactor  *dsfP);

AEGP_GetCompBGColor

Returns the composition background color.

AEGP_GetCompBGColor(
  AEGP_CompH     compH,
  AEGP_ColorVal  *bg_colorP);

AEGP_SetCompBGColor

Sets a composition’s background color.

AEGP_SetCompBGColor(
  AEGP_CompH           compH,
  const AEGP_ColorVal  *bg_colorP);

AEGP_GetCompFlags

Returns composition flags, or’d together.

AEGP_GetCompFlags(
  AEGP_CompH      compH,
  AEGP_CompFlags  *AEGP_CompFlags);
  • AEGP_CompFlag_SHOW_ALL_SHY

  • AEGP_CompFlag_ENABLE_MOTION_BLUR

  • AEGP_CompFlag_ENABLE_TIME_FILTER

  • AEGP_CompFlag_GRID_TO_FRAME

  • AEGP_CompFlag_GRID_TO_FIELDS

  • AEGP_CompFlag_USE_LOCAL_DSF

  • AEGP_CompFlag_DRAFT_3D

  • AEGP_CompFlag_SHOW_GRAPH

AEGP_GetShowLayerNameOrSourceName

New in CC. Passes back true if the Comp’s timeline shows layer names, false if source names. This will open the comp as a side effect.

AEGP_GetShowLayerNameOrSourceName(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Boolean   *layer_names_shownPB);

AEGP_SetShowLayerNameOrSourceName

New in CC. Pass in true to have the Comp’s timeline show layer names, false for source names. This will open the comp as a side effect.

AEGP_SetShowLayerNameOrSourceName(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Boolean   *layer_names_shownPB);

AEGP_GetShowBlendModes

New in CC. Passes back true if the Comp’s timeline shows blend modes column, false if hidden. This will open the comp as a side effect.

AEGP_GetShowBlendModes(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Boolean   *blend_modes_shownPB);

AEGP_SetShowBlendModes

New in CC. Pass in true to have the Comp’s timeline show the blend modes column, false to hide it. This will open the comp as a side effect.

AEGP_GetCompFlags(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Boolean   show_blend_modesB);

AEGP_GetCompFramerate

Returns the composition’s frames per second.

AEGP_GetCompFramerate(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_FpLong    *fpsPF);

AEGP_SetCompFramerate

Sets the composition’s frames per second.

AEGP_SetCompFramerate(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_FpLong    *fpsPF);

AEGP_GetCompShutterAnglePhase

The composition shutter angle and phase.

AEGP_GetCompShutterAnglePhase(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Ratio     *angle,
  A_Ratio     *phase);

AEGP_GetCompShutterFrameRange

The duration of the shutter frame, in seconds.

AEGP_GetCompShutterFrameRange(
  AEGP_CompH    compH,
  const A_Time  *comp_timeP);

AEGP_GetCompSuggestedMotionBlurSamples

Retrieves the number of motion blur samples After Effects will perform in the given composition.

AEGP_GetCompSuggestedMotionBlurSamples(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_long      *samplesPL)

AEGP_SetCompSuggestedMotionBlurSamples

Specifies the number of motion blur samples After Effects will perform in the given composition. Undoable.

AEGP_SetCompSuggestedMotionBlurSamples(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_long      samplesL);

AEGP_GetCompMotionBlurAdaptiveSampleLimit

New in CC. Retrieves the motion blur adaptive sample limit for the given composition. As of CC, a new comp defaults to 128.

AEGP_GetCompMotionBlurAdaptiveSampleLimit(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_long      *samplesPL)

AEGP_SetCompMotionBlurAdaptiveSampleLimit

New in CC. Specifies the motion blur adaptive sample limit for the given composition. As of CC, both the limit and the suggested values are clamped to [2,256] range and the limit value will not be allowed less than the suggested value.

Undoable.

AEGP_SetCompMotionBlurAdaptiveSampleLimit(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_long      samplesL);

AEGP_GetCompWorkAreaStart

Get the time where the current work area starts.

AEGP_GetCompWorkAreaStart(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Time      *startPT);

AEGP_GetCompWorkAreaDuration

Get the duration of a composition’s current work area, in seconds.

AEGP_GetCompWorkAreaDuration(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Time      *durationPT);

AEGP_SetCompWorkAreaStartAndDuration

Set the work area start and duration, in seconds. Undo-able. One call to this function is sufficient to set the layer’s in point and duration; it’s not necessary to call it twice, once for each timespace.

AEGP_SetCompWorkAreaStartAndDuration(
  AEGP_CompH    compH,
  const A_Time  *startPT)
  const A_Time  *durationPT);

AEGP_CreateSolidInComp

Creates a new solid with a specified width, height, color, and duration in the composition. Undo-able.

If you pass NULL for the duration, After Effects uses its preference for the duration of a new still. If you pass NULL, or an invalid time scale, duration is set to the length of the composition.

AEGP_CreateSolidInComp(
  const A_UTF16Char  *utf_nameZ,
  A_Long             widthL,
  A_Long             heightL,
  const PF_Pixel     *color,
  AEGP_CompH         parent_compH,
  const A_Time       *durationPT0,
  AEGP_LayerH        *new_solidPH);

AEGP_CreateCameraInComp

Creates and adds a camera to the specified composition. Once created, you can manipulate the camera’s parameter streams using the AEGP Stream Suite.

To specify a two-node camera, use AEGP_SetLayerFlag from AEGP_LayerSuite9 to set AEGP_LayerFlag_LOOK_AT_POI.

AEGP_CreateCameraInComp(
  const A_UTF16Char  *utf_nameZ,
  A_FloatPoint       center_point,
  AEGP_CompH         parent_compH,
  AEGP_LayerH        *new_cameraPH);

AEGP_CreateLightInComp

Creates and adds a light to the specified composition. Once created, you can manipulate the light’s parameter streams using the AEGP Stream Suite.

AEGP_CreateLightInComp(
  const A_UTF16Char  *utf_nameZ,
  A_FloatPoint       center_point,
  AEGP_CompH         parent_compH,
  AEGP_LayerH        *new_lightPH);

AEGP_CreateComp

Creates a new composition for the project. If you don’t provide a parent folder, the composition will be at the root level of the project. Undo-able.

AEGP_CreateComp(
  AEGP_ItemH         parent_folderHO,
  const A_UTF16Char  *utf_nameZ,
  A_Long             widthL,
  A_Long             heightL,
  const A_Ratio      *pixel_aspect_ratioPRt,
  const A_Time       *durationPT,
  const A_Ratio      *frameratePRt,
  AEGP_CompH         *new_compPH);

AEGP_GetNewCollectionFromCompSelection

Creates a new AEGP_Collection2H from the items selected in the given composition. The plug-in is responsible for disposing of the AEGP_Collection2H.

AEGP_GetNewCollectionFromCompSelection(
  AEGP_PluginID      plugin_id,
  AEGP_CompH         compH,
  AEGP_Collection2H  *collectionPH);

AEGP_SetSelection

Sets the selection within the given composition to the given AEGP_Collection2H. Will return an error if members of the AEGP_Collection2H are not available. Don’t assume that a composition hasn’t changed between operations; always use a fresh AEGP_Collection2H.

AEGP_SetSelection(
  AEGP_CompH         compH,
  AEGP_Collection2H  collectionH);

AEGP_GetCompDisplayStartTime

Gets the displayed start time of a composition.

AEGP_GetCompDisplayStartTime(
  AEGP_CompH    compH,
  const A_Time  *start_timePT);

AEGP_SetCompDisplayStartTime

Not undo-able. Sets the displayed start time of a composition (has no effect on the duration of the composition).

AEGP_SetCompDisplayStartTime(
  AEGP_CompH    compH,
  const A_Time  *start_timePT);

AEGP_SetCompDuration

Undoable. Sets the duration of the given composition.

AEGP_SetCompDuration(
  AEGP_CompH    compH,
  const A_Time  *durationPT);

AEGP_CreateNullInComp

Creates a “null object” in the composition (useful for translating projects from 3D applications into After Effects).

If you pass NULL for the duration, After Effects uses its preference for the duration of a new still. If you pass 0, or an invalid time scale, duration is set to the length of the composition.

AEGP_CreateNullInComp(
  const A_UTF16Char  *utf_nameZ,
  AEGP_CompH         parent_compH,
  const A_Time       *durationPT0,
  AEGP_LayerH        *new_null_solidPH);

AEGP_SetCompPixelAspectRatio

Sets the pixel aspect ratio of a composition.

AEGP_SetCompPixelAspectRatio(
  AEGP_CompH     compH,
  const A_Ratio  *parPRt);

AEGP_CreateTextLayerInComp

Updated in CS6. Creates a text layer in the composition, and returns its AEGP_LayerH.

AEGP_CreateTextLayerInComp(
  AEGP_CompH   parent_compH,
  A_Boolean    select_new_layerB,
  AEGP_LayerH  *new_text_lyrPH);

AEGP_CreateBoxTextLayerInComp

Updated in CS6. Creates a new box text layer, and returns its AEGP_LayerH.

AEGP_CreateBoxTextLayerInComp(
  AEGP_CompH    parent_compH,
  A_Boolean     select_new_layerB,
  A_FloatPoint  box_dimensions,
  AEGP_LayerH   *new_text_layerPH);

AEGP_SetCompDimensions

Sets the dimensions of the composition. Undoable.

AEGP_SetCompDimensions(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_long      widthL,
  A_long      heightL);

AEGP_DuplicateComp

Duplicates the composition. Undoable.

AEGP_DuplicateComp(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  AEGP_CompH  *new_compPH);

AEGP_GetCompFrameDuration

Retrieves the duration of a frame in a composition.

AEGP_GetCompFrameDuration(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Time      *timeP);

AEGP_GetMostRecentlyUsedComp

Returns the most-recently-used composition.

AEGP_GetMostRecentlyUsedComp(
  AEGP_CompH  *compPH);

AEGP_CreateVectorLayerInComp

Creates and returns a handle to a new vector layer.

AEGP_CreateVectorLayerInComp(
  AEGP_CompH   parent_compH,
  AEGP_LayerH  *new_vec_layerPH);

AEGP_GetNewCompMarkerStream

Returns an AEGP_StreamRefH to the composition’s marker stream. Must be disposed by caller.

AEGP_GetNewCompMarkerStream(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_CompH       parent_compH,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *streamPH);

AEGP_GetCompDisplayDropFrame

Passes back a boolean that indicates whether the specified comp uses drop-frame timecode or not.

AEGP_GetCompDisplayDropFrame(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Boolean   *dropFramePB);

AEGP_SetCompDisplayDropFrame

Sets the dropness of the timecode in the specified composition.

AEGP_SetCompDisplayDropFrame(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_Boolean   dropFrameB);

AEGP_ReorderCompSelection

Move the selection to a certain layer index. Use along with AEGP_SetSelection().

AEGP_SetCompDisplayDropFrame(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_long      index);

Work with Footage

Provides information about footage, or items in a project or composition. When getting and setting footage’s interpretation, it is possible to specify incompatible options.

If you encounter warnings and errors during development, be sure to make all related changes atomically, and reassess the logic of the operation you’re performing.

For example, changing the pull-down interpretation of footage won’t work unless there’s a difference between it’s native and conformed frame rate.

Depending on what you’re trying to accomplish, it may make sense to abort all of your operations at that point, inform the user of the problem encountered.

AEGP_FootageSuite5

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetMainFootageFromItem

Returns an error if item isn’t a footage item. Used to convert an item handle to a footage handle.

AEGP_GetMainFootageFromItem(
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH,
  AEGP_FootageH  *footagePH);

AEGP_GetProxyFootageFromItem

Returns an error if item has no proxy. Returns the proxy footage handle. Note: a composition can have a proxy.

AEGP_GetProxyFootageFromItem(
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH,
  AEGP_FootageH  *proxy_ftgPH);

AEGP_GetFootageNumFiles

Returns the number of data (RGBA or audio) files, and the number of files per frame (may be greater than one if the footage has auxiliary channels).

AEGP_GetFootageNumFiles(
  AEGP_FootageH  footageH,
  A_long         *num_filesPL0,
  A_long         *files_per_frmPL0);

AEGP_GetFootagePath

Get fully realized path to footage source file.

Retrieves the footage path for a piece of footage (or for the specified frame of a footage sequence). frame_numL ranges from 0 to num_main_files, as obtained using AEGP_GetFootageNumFiles from AEGP_FootageSuite5.

AEGP_FOOTAGE_MAIN_FILE_INDEX is the main file. The path is a handle to a NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char string, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetFootagePath(
  AEGP_FootageH   footageH,
  A_long          frame_numL,
  A_long          file_indexL,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *unicode_pathPH);

AEGP_GetFootageSignature

Retrieves the footage signature of specified footage.

AEGP_GetFootageSignature(
  AEGP_FootageH          footageH,
  AEGP_FootageSignature  *sigP);

The signature will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_FootageSignature_NONE

  • AEGP_FootageSignature_MISSING

  • AEGP_FootageSignature_SOLID

AEGP_NewFootage

Creates a new footage item. The file path is a NULL-terminated UTF-16 string with platform separators. Note that footage filenames with colons are not allowed, since colons are used as path separators in the HFS+ file system.

AEGP_NewFootage(
  AEGP_PluginID                         aegp_plugin_id,
  const A_UTF16Char                     *pathZ,
  const AEGP_FootageLayerKey            *layer_infoP0,
  const AEGP_FileSequenceImportOptions  *sequence_optionsP0,
  AEGP_InterpretationStyle              interp_style,
  void                                  *reserved,
  AEGP_FootageH                         *footagePH);

Note the optional params. If allow_interpretation_dialogB is FALSE, After Effects will guess the alpha interpretation.

typedef struct {
  A_long               layer_idL;
  A_long               layer_indexL
  char                 *nameAC;
  AEGP_LayerDrawStyle  draw_style;
} AEGP_FootageLayerKey;

AEGP_LayerDrawStyle can be:

  • AEGP_LayerDrawStyle_LAYER_BOUNDS

  • AEGP_LayerDrawStyle_DOCUMENT_BOUNDS

AEGP_InterpretationStyle can be:

  • AEGP_InterpretationStyle_NO_DIALOG_GUESS Will guess alpha interpretation even if file contains unknown alpha interpretation and user pref says to ask user.

  • AEGP_InterpretationStyle_DIALOG_OK Optionally can show a dialog.

  • AEGP_InterpretationStyle_NO_DIALOG_NO_GUESS Used for replace footage implementation.

AEGP_AddFootageToProject

Adds a footage item to a project. Footage will be adopted by the project, and may be added only once. This is Undo-able; do not dispose of the returned added item if it’s undone.

AEGP_AddFootageToProject(
  AEGP_FootageH  footageH,
  AEGP_ItemH     folderH,
  AEGP_ItemH     *add_itemPH0);

AEGP_SetItemProxyFootage

Sets footage as the proxy for an item. Will be adopted by the project. This is Undo-able; do not dispose of the returned added item if it’s undone.

AEGP_SetItemProxyFootage(
  AEGP_FootageH  footageH,
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH);

AEGP_ReplaceItemMainFootage

Replaces footage for an item. The item will replace the main footage for this item. This is Undo-able; do not dispose of the returned added item if it’s undone.

AEGP_ReplaceItemMainFootage(
  AEGP_FootageH  footageH,
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH);

AEGP_DisposeFootage

Deletes a footage item. Do not dispose of footage you did not create, or that has been added to the project.

AEGP_DisposeFootage(
  AEGP_FootageH  footageH);

AEGP_GetFootageInterpretation

Populates an AEGP_FootageInterp describing the settings of the AEGP_FootageH. There is no way to create a valid AEGP_FootageInterp other than by using this function.

AEGP_GetFootageInterpretation(
  const AEGP_ItemH    itemH,
  A_Boolean           proxyB,
  AEGP_FootageInterp  *interpP);

If proxyB is TRUE, the proxy footage’s settings are retrieved.

AEGP_SetFootageInterpretation

Apply the settings in the AEGP_FootageInterp to the AEGP_FootageH. Undo-able.

AEGP_SetFootageInterpreta tion(
  const AEGP_ItemH          itemH,
  A_Boolean                 proxyB,
  const AEGP_FootageInterp  *interpP);

If proxyB is TRUE, the proxy footage’s settings are modified.

AEGP_GetFootageLayerKey

Populates an AEGP_FootageLayerKey describing the footage.

AEGP_GetFootageLayerKey(
  AEGP_FootageH          footageH,
  AEGP_FootageLayerKey*  layerKeyP);

AEGP_NewPlaceholderFootage

Deprecated. Adds a new placeholder footage item to the project. Using this function for missing footage will cause the user to search for each individual missing file, regardless of whether or not they’re all in the same directory. Undo-able.

AEGP_NewPlaceholderFootage(
  AEGP_PluginID  plugin_id,
  const A_char   *nameZ,
  A_long         width,
  A_long         height,
  const A_Time   *durationPT,
  AEGP_FootageH  *footagePH);

AEGP_NewPlaceholderFootageWithPath

This is the hip new way to add references to footage that can’t be found right this moment. The file path is a NULL-terminated UTF-16 string with platform separators.

In CS6 and earlier, file_type was ignored and we previously recommendedsetting it to AEIO_FileType_NONE. Starting in CC, AEIO_FileType_NONE is now a warning condition. If you pass AEIO_FileType_ANY, then path MUST exist.

If the path may not exist, pass AEIO_FileType_DIR for folder, or AEIO_FileType_GENERIC for a file.

AEGP_NewPlaceholderFootageWithPath(
  AEGP_PluginID      plugin_id,
  const A_UTF16Char  *pathZ,
  AEGP_Platform      path_platform,
  AEIO_FileType      file_type,
  A_long             widthL,
  A_long             heightL,
  const A_Time       *durationPT,
  AEGP_FootageH      *footagePH);

AEGP_NewSolidFootage

This is the way to add a solid. Until the footage is added to the project, the caller owns the AEGP_FootageH (and must dispose of it if, and only if, it isn’t added to the project).

AEGP_NewSolidFootage(
  const A_char         *nameZ,
  A_long               width,
  A_long               height,
  const AEGP_ColorVal  *colorP,
  AEGP_FootageH        *footagePH);

AEGP_GetSolidFootageColor

Returns the color of a given solid. Returns an error if the AEGP_ItemH is not a solid.

AEGP_GetSolidFootageColor(
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH,
  A_Boolean      proxyB,
  AEGP_ColorVal  *colorP);

If proxyB is TRUE, the proxy solid’s color is retrieved.

AEGP_SetSolidFootageColor

Sets the color of a solid. Undo-able.

AEGP_SetSolidFootageColor(
  AEGP_ItemH     itemH,
  A_Boolean      proxyB,
  AEGP_ColorVal  *colorP);

If proxyB is TRUE, the proxy solid’s color is set.

AEGP_SetSolidFootageDimensions

Sets the dimensions of a solid. Undo-able.

AEGP_SetSolidFootageDimensions(
  AEGP_ItemH  itemH,
  A_Boolean   proxyB,
  A_long      widthL,
  A_long      heightL);

If proxyB is TRUE, the proxy solid’s dimensions are modified. Returns an error if the item isn’t a solid.

AEGP_GetFootageSoundDataFormat

Retrieves information about the audio data in the footage item (by populating the AEGP_SoundDataFormat you passed in).

AEGP_GetFootageSoundDataFormat(
  AEGP_FootageH         footageH,
  AEGP_SoundDataFormat  *formatP);

AEGP_GetFootageSequenceImportOptions

Populates and returns a AEGP_FileSequenceImportOptions describing the given AEGP_FootageH.

AEGP_GetFootageSequenceImportOptions(
  AEGP_FootageH                   footageH,
  AEGP_FileSequenceImportOptions  *optionsP);

AEGP_FootageInterp Structure

Member

Purpose

AEGP_InterlaceLabel il;

The interlace settings for the footage item.

A_u_long signature; // 'FIEL'
A_short version;
FIEL_Type type;
FIEL_Order order;
A_u_long reserved;

FIEL_Type is one of the following:

  • FIEL_Type_FRAME_RENDERED

  • FIEL_Type_INTERLACED

  • FIEL_Type_HALF_HEIGHT

  • FIEL_Type_FIELD_DOUBLED

FIEL_Type_FIELD_DOUBLED means 60 full-sized field doubled frames per second.

FIEL_Order is either FIEL_Order_UPPER_FIRST or FIEL_Order_LOWER_FIRST.

AEGP_AlphaLabel al;

AEGP_AlphaFlag flags;
A_u_char redCu;
A_u_char greenCu;
A_u_char blueCu;

AEGP_AlphaFlags is one or more of the following, OR’d together:

  • AEGP_AlphaPremul

  • AEGP_AlphaInverted

  • AEGP_AlphaIgnore

If AEGP_AlphaPremul is not set, straight alpha is assumed. AEGP_AlphaInverted indicates that higher values are transparent, instead of lower.

AEGP_PulldownPhase pd;

Indicates the phase for use in 3:2 pulldown. One of the following:

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_NO_PULLDOWN,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_WSSWW,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_SSWWW,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_SWWWS,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_WWWSS,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_WWSSW,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_WWWSW,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_WWSWW,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_WSWWW,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_SWWWW,

  • AEGP_PulldownPhase_WWWWS

AEGP_LoopBehavior loop;

Indicates the number of times the footage should loop.

A_long loops;
A_long reserved;

A_Ratio pix_aspect_ratio;

Expresses the pixel aspect ratio of the footage (x over y).

A_FpLong native_fpsF;

The original framerate (in frames per second) of the footage item.

A_FpLong conform_fpsF;

The framerate being used for the footage item.

A_long depthL;

The pixel depth of the footage. One of the following:

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_1

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_2

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_4

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_8

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_16

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_24

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_30

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_32

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_GRAY_2

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_GRAY_4

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_GRAY_8

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_48

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_64

  • AEGP_Footage_Depth_GRAY_16

A_Boolean motion_dB;

Indicates whether motion de-interlacing is being applied to the footage item.


Manage Layers

AEGP_LayerSuite provides information about layers within a composition, and the relationship(s) between the source and layer times.

As most After Effects usage boils down to layer manipulation, this is among the largest function suites in our API.

AEGP_LayerSuite9

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetCompNumLayers

Obtains the number of layers in a composition.

AEGP_GetCompNumLayers(
  AEGP_CompH  compH,
  A_long      *num_layersPL);

AEGP_GetCompLayerByIndex

Get a AEGP_LayerH from a composition. Zero is the foremost layer.

AEGP_GetCompLayerByIndex(
  AEGP_CompH   compH,
  A_long       layer_indexL,
  AEGP_LayerH  *layerPH);

AEGP_GetActiveLayer

Get the active layer. If a Layer or effect controls palette is active, the active layer is that associated with the front-most tab in the window. If a composition or timeline window is active, the active layer is the selected layer (if only one is selected; otherwise NULL is returned).

AEGP_GetActiveLayer(
  AEGP_LayerH  *layerPH);

AEGP_GetLayerIndex

Get the index of the layer (0 is the topmost layer in the composition).

AEGP_GetLayerIndex(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_long       *layer_indexPL);

AEGP_GetLayerSourceItem

Get the AEGP_ItemH of the layer’s source item.

AEGP_GetLayerSourceItem(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  AEGP_ItemH   *source_itemPH);

AEGP_GetLayerSourceItemID

Retrieves the ID of the given AEGP_LayerH. This is useful when hunting for a specific layer’s ID in an AEGP_StreamVal.

AEGP_GetLayerSourceItemID(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_long       *source_idPL);

AEGP_GetLayerParentComp

Get the AEGP_CompH of the composition containing the layer.

AEGP_GetLayerParentComp(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  AEGP_CompH   *compPH);

AEGP_GetLayerName

Get the name of a layer. Both utf_layer_namePH0 and utf_source_namePH0 point to null terminated UTF-16 strings. They must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetLayerName(
  AEGP_PluginID   pluginID,
  AEGP_LayerH     layerH,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *utf_layer_namePH0,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *utf_source_namePH0);

AEGP_GetLayerQuality

Get the quality of a layer.

AEGP_GetLayerQuality(
  AEGP_LayerH        layerH,
  AEGP_LayerQuality  *qualityP);

Layer quality is one of the following flags:

  • AEGP_LayerQual_NONE

  • AEGP_LayerQual_WIREFRAME

  • AEGP_LayerQual_DRAFT

  • AEGP_LayerQual_BEST

AEGP_SetLayerQuality

Sets the quality of a layer (see flag values above). Undoable.

AEGP_SetLayerQuality(
  AEGP_LayerH        layerH,
  AEGP_LayerQuality  quality);

AEGP_GetLayerFlags

Get flags for a layer.

AEGP_GetLayerFlags(
  AEGP_LayerH      layerH,
  AEGP_LayerFlags  *layer_flagsP);
  • AEGP_LayerFlag_NONE

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_VIDEO_ACTIVE,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_AUDIO_ACTIVE,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_EFFECTS_ACTIVE,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_MOTION_BLUR,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_FRAME_BLENDING,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_LOCKED,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_SHY,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_COLLAPSE,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_AUTO_ORIENT_ROTATION,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_ADJUSTMENT_LAYER,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_TIME_REMAPPING,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_LAYER_IS_3D,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_LOOK_AT_CAMERA,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_LOOK_AT_POI,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_SOLO,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_MARKERS_LOCKED,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_NULL_LAYER,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_HIDE_LOCKED_MASKS,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_GUIDE_LAYER,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_ENVIRONMENT_LAYER,

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_ADVANCED_FRAME_BLENDING, True only if pixel motion frame blending is on for the layer.

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_SUBLAYERS_RENDER_SEPARATELY, Used to get/set the state of per-character 3D enablement on a text layer.

  • AEGP_LayerFlag_ENVIRONMENT_LAYER, New in CS6.

AEGP_SetLayerFlag

Sets one layer flag at a time. Undoable.

AEGP_SetLayerFlag(
  AEGP_LayerH      layerH,
  AEGP_LayerFlags  single_flag,
  A_Boolean        valueB);

AEGP_IsLayerVideoReallyOn

Determines whether the layer’s video is visible. This is necessary to account for ‘solo’ status of other layers in the composition; non-solo’d layers are still on.

AEGP_IsLayerVideoReallyOn(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Boolean    *onPB);

AEGP_IsLayerAudioReallyOn

Accounts for solo status of other layers in the composition.

AEGP_IsLayerAudioReallyOn(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Boolean    *onPB);

AEGP_GetLayerCurrentTime

Get current time, in layer or composition timespace. This value is not updated during rendering.

NOTE: If a layer starts at other than time 0 or is time-stretched other than 100%, layer time and composition time are distinct.

AEGP_GetLayerCurrentTime(
  AEGP_LayerH     layerH,
  AEGP_LTimeMode  time_mode,
  A_Time          *curr_timePT);

AEGP_GetLayerInPoint

Get time of first visible frame in composition or layer time. In layer time, the in_pointPT is always 0.

AEGP_GetLayerInPoint(
  AEGP_LayerH     layerH,
  AEGP_LTimeMode  time_mode,
  A_Time          *in_pointPT);

AEGP_GetLayerDuration

Get duration of layer, in composition or layer time, in seconds.

AEGP_GetLayerDuration(
  AEGP_LayerH     layerH,
  AEGP_LTimeMode  time_mode,
  A_Time          *durationPT);

AEGP_SetLayerInPointAndDuration

Set duration and in point of layer in composition or layer time. Undo-able.

AEGP_SetLayerInPointAndDuration(
  AEGP_LayerH     layerH,
  AEGP_LTimeMode  time_mode,
  const A_Time    *in_pointPT,
  const A_Time    *durationPT);

AEGP_GetLayerOffset

Get the offset from the start of the composition to layer time 0, in composition time.

AEGP_GetLayerOffset(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Time       *offsetPT);

AEGP_SetLayerOffset

Set the offset from the start of the composition to the first frame of the layer, in composition time. Undoable.

AEGP_SetLayerOffset(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Time       *offsetPT);

AEGP_GetLayerStretch

Get stretch factor of a layer.

AEGP_GetLayerStretch(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Ratio      *stretchPRt);

AEGP_SetLayerStretch

Set stretch factor of a layer.

AEGP_SetLayerStretch(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Ratio      *stretchPRt);

AEGP_GetLayerTransferMode

Get transfer mode of a layer.

AEGP_GetLayerTransferMode(
  AEGP_LayerH             layerH,
  AEGP_LayerTransferMode  *modeP);

AEGP_SetLayerTransferMode

Set transfer mode of a layer. Undoable.

AEGPSetLayerTransferMode(
  AEGP_LayerH             layerH,
  AEGP_LayerTransferMode  *modeP);

As of 23.0, when you make a layer a track matte, the layer being matted will be disabled, as when you do this via the interface.

AEGP_IsAddLayerValid

Tests whether it’s currently valid to add a given item to a composition. A composition cannot be added to itself, or to any compositions which it contains; other conditions can preclude successful adding too. Adding a layer without first using this function will produce undefined results.

AEGP_IsAddLayerValid(
  AEGP_ItemH  item_to_addH,
  AEGP_CompH  into_compH,
  A_Boolean   *validPB);

AEGP_AddLayer

Add an item to the composition, above all other layers. Undo-able. Use AEGP_IsAddLayerValid() first, to confirm that it’s possible.

AEGP_AddLayer(
  AEGP_ItemH  item_to_addH,
  AEGP_CompH  into_compH,
  A_Boolean   *added_layerPH0);

AEGP_ReorderLayer

Change the order of layers. Undoable.

AEGP_ReorderLayer(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_long       layer_indexL);

To add a layer to the end of the composition, to use layer_indexL = AEGP_REORDER_LAYER_TO_END

AEGP_GetLayerMaskedBounds

Given a layer’s handle and a time, returns the bounds of area visible with masks applied.

AEGP_GetLayerMaskedBounds(
  AEGP_LayerH   layerH,
  const A_Time  *comp_timePT,
  A_FloatRect   *boundsPR);

AEGP_GetLayerObjectType

Returns a layer’s object type.

AEGP_GetLayerObjectType(
  AEGP_LayerH      layerH,
  AEGP_ObjectType  *object_type);
  • AEGP_ObjectType_AV

  • AEGP_ObjectType_LIGHT,

  • AEGP_ObjectType_CAMERA,

  • AEGP_ObjectType_TEXT

  • AEGP_ObjectType_3D_MODEL, New in 24.4.

AEGP_IsLayer3D

Is the footage item a 3D layer. All AV layers are either 2D or 3D.

AEGP_IsLayer3D(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Boolean    *is_3DPB);

AEGP_IsLayer2D

Is the footage item a 2D layer. All AV layers are either 2D or 3D.

AEGP_IsLayer2D(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Boolean    *is_2DPB);

AEGP_IsVideoActive

Given composition time and a layer, see if the layer will render. Time mode is either AEGP_LTimeMode_LayerTime or AEGP_LTimeMode_CompTime.

AEGP_IsVideoActive(
  AEGP_LayerH     layerH,
  AEGP_LTimeMode  time_mode,
  A_Time          *comp_timePT,
  A_Boolean       *is_activePB);

AEGP_IsLayerUsedAsTrackMatte

Is the layer used as a track matte?

AEGP_IsLayerUsedAsTrackMatte(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Boolean    fill_must_be_activeB,
  A_Boolean    *is_track_mattePB);

AEGP_DoesLayerHaveTrackMatte

Does this layer have a Track Matte?

AEGP_DoesLayerHaveTrackMatte(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_Boolean    *has_track_mattePB);

AEGP_ConvertCompToLayerTime

Given a time in composition space, returns the time relative to the layer source footage.

AEGP_ConvertCompToLayerTime(
  AEGP_LayerH   layerH,
  const A_Time  *comp_timeP,
  A_Time        *layer_timeP);

AEGP_ConvertLayerToCompTime

Given a time in layer space, find the corresponding time in composition space.

AEGP_ConvertLayerToCompTime(
  AEGP_LayerH   layerH,
  const A_Time  *layer_timePT,
  A_Time        *comp_timePT);

AEGP_GetLayerDancingRandValue

Used by the dancing dissolve transfer function.

AEGP_GetLayerDancingRandValue(
  AEGP_LayerH   layerH,
  const A_Time  *comp_timePT,
  A_long        *rand_valuePL);

AEGP_GetLayerID

Supplies the layer’s unique ID. This ID never changes during the lifetime of the project.

AEGP_GetLayerID(
  AEGP_LayerH      layerH,
  AEGP_LayerIDVal  *id_valP);

AEGP_GetLayerToWorldXform

Given a layer handle and time, returns the layer-to-world transformation matrix.

AEGP_GetLayerToWorldXform(
  AEGP_LayerH   aegp_layerH,
  const A_Time  *comp_timeP,
  A_Matrix4     *transform);

AEGP_GetLayerToWorldXformFromView

Given a layer handle, the current (composition) time, and the requested view time, returns the translation between the user’s view and the layer, corrected for the composition’s current aspect ratio.

AEGP_GetLayerToWorldXformFromView(
  AEGP_LayerH   aegp_layerH,
  const A_Time  *view_timeP,
  const A_Time  *comp_timeP,
  A_Matrix4     *transform);

AEGP_SetLayerName

Sets the name of a layer. Undo-able. new_nameZ points to a null terminated UTF-16 string.

AEGP_SetLayerName(
  AEGP_LayerH        aegp_layerH,
  const A_UTF16Char  *new_nameZ);

AEGP_GetLayerParent

Retrieves the handle to a layer’s parent (none if not parented).

AEGP_GetLayerParent(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  AEGP_LayerH  *parent_layerPH);

AEGP_SetLayerParent

Sets a layer’s parent layer.

AEGP_SetLayerParent(
  AEGP_LayerH        layerH,
  const AEGP_LayerH  parent_layerH);

AEGP_DeleteLayer

Deletes a layer. Can you believe it took us three suite versions to add a delete function? Neither can we.

AEGP_DeleteLayer(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH);

AEGP_DuplicateLayer

Duplicates the layer. Undoable.

AEGP_DuplicateLayer(
  AEGP_LayerH  orig_layerH,
  AEGP_LayerH  *dupe_layerPH);

AEGP_GetLayerFromLayerID

Retrieves the AEGP_LayerH associated with a given AEGP_LayerIDVal (which is what you get when accessing an effect’s layer parameter stream).

AEGP_GetLayerFromLayerID(
  AEGP_CompH       parent_compH,
  AEGP_LayerIDVal  id,
  AEGP_LayerH      *layerPH);

AEGP_GetLayerLabel

Gets a layer’s AEGP_LabelID.

AEGP_GetLayerLabel(
  AEGP_LayerH   layerH,
  AEGP_LabelID  *labelP);

AEGP_SetLayerLabel

Sets a layer’s AEGP_LabelID. Undoable.

AEGP_SetLayerLabel(
  AEGP_LayerH   layerH,
  AEGP_LabelID  label);

AEGP_GetLayerSamplingQuality

New in CC. Get the sampling quality of a layer.

AEGP_GetLayerSamplingQuality(
  AEGP_LayerH                layerH,
  AEGP_LayerSamplingQuality  *label);

Layer sampling quality is one of the following flags:

  • AEGP_LayerSamplingQual_BILINEAR

  • AEGP_LayerSamplingQual_BICUBIC

AEGP_SetLayerSamplingQuality

New in CC. Sets the sampling quality of a layer (see flag values above). Option is explicitly set on the layer independent of layer quality. If you want to force it on you must also set the layer quality to AEGP_LayerQual_BEST with AEGP_SetLayerQuality. Otherwise it will only be using the specified layer sampling quality whenever the layer quality is set to AEGP_LayerQual_BEST. Undoable.

AEGP_SetLayerSamplingQuality(
  AEGP_LayerH                layerH,
  AEGP_LayerSamplingQuality  label);

AEGP_GetTrackMatteLayer

New in 23.0. Returns the track matte layer of layerH. Returns NULL if there is no track matte layer.

AEGP_GetTrackMatteLayer(
  const AEGP_LayerH          layerH,
  AEGP_LayerH                *track_matte_layerPH);

AEGP_SetTrackMatte

New in 23.0. Sets the track matte layer and track matte type of layerH.

Track Matte Types:

  • AEGP_TrackMatte_NO_TRACK_MATTE

  • AEGP_TrackMatte_ALPHA

  • AEGP_TrackMatte_NOT_ALPHA

  • AEGP_TrackMatte_LUMA

  • AEGP_TrackMatte_NOT_LUMA

Setting the track matte type as AEGP_TrackMatte_NO_TRACK_MATTE removes track matte.

AEGP_SetTrackMatte(
  AEGP_LayerH                layerH,
  const AEGP_LayerH          track_matte_layerH0,
  const AEGP_TrackMatte      track_matte_type);

AEGP_RemoveTrackMatte

New in 23.0. Removes the track matte layer of layerH.

AEGP_RemoveTrackMatte(
  AEGP_LayerH                layerH);

Layer Creation Notes

All layers created using AEGP calls will start at composition time 0, and have the duration of the composition.

Use AEGP_SetLayerOffset() and AEGP_SetLayerInPointAndDuration() from AEGP_LayerSuite9 to properly set the layer’s time information.

When the layer stretch factor (obtained using AEGP_GetLayerStretch in AEGP_LayerSuite9, naturally) is not 100%, the following computation will be needed to yield the correct layer offset:

offset = compIn - stretch * layerIn;

Communication With A Layer’s Effects

Access the effects applied to a layer. This suite provides access to all parameter data streams.

Use the Stream Suite to work with those streams.

An AEGP_Effect_RefH is a reference to an applied effect. An AEGP_InstalledEffectKey is a reference to an installed effect, which may or may not be currently applied to anything.

If Foobarocity is applied to a layer twice, there will be two distinct AEGP_Effect_RefHs, but they’ll both return the same AEGP_InstalledEffectKey.

AEGP_EffectSuite4

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetLayerNumEffects

Get number of effects applied to a layer.

AEGP_GetLayerNumEffects(
  AEGP_LayerH  layerH,
  A_long       *num_effectsPL);

AEGP_GetLayerEffectByIndex

Retrieves (by index) a reference to an effect applied to the layer.

AEGP_GetLayerEffectByIndex(
  AEGP_PluginID     aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_LayerH       layerH,
  AEGP_EffectIndex  effect_indexL,
  AEGP_EffectRefH   *effectPH);

AEGP_GetInstalledKeyFromLayerEffect

Given an AEGP_EffectRefH, retrieves its associated AEGP_InstalledEffectKey.

AEGP_GetInstalledKeyFromLayerEffect(
  AEGP_EffectRefH          effect_refH,
  AEGP_InstalledEffectKey  *installed_keyP);

AEGP_GetEffectParamUnionByIndex

Returns description of effect parameter. Do not use the value(s) in the ParamDef returned by this function (Use AEGP_GetNewStreamValue() instead); it’s provided so AEGPs can access parameter defaults, checkbox names, and pop-up strings.

Use AEGP_GetEffectNumParamStreams() from AEGP_StreamSuite5 to get the stream count, useful for determining the maximum param_index. The last parameter is optional;

AEGP_GetEffectParamUnionByIndex(
  AEGP_PluginID     aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_EffectRefH   effectH,
  PF_ParamIndex     param_index,
  PF_ParamType      *param_typeP
  PF_ParamDefUnion  *uP0);

AEGP_GetEffectFlags

Obtains the flags for the given AEGP_EffectRefH.

AEGP_GetEffectFlags(
  AEGP_EffectRefH   effect_refH,
  AEGP_EffectFlags  *effect_flagsP);

Flags will be a combination of the following:

  • AEGP_EffectFlags_NONE

  • AEGP_EffectFlags_ACTIVE

  • AEGP_EffectFlags_AUDIO_ONLY

  • AEGP_EffectFlags_AUDIO_TOO

  • AEGP_EffectFlags_MISSING

AEGP_SetEffectFlags

Sets the flags (enumerated above) for the given AEGP_EffectRefH, masked by a different set of effect flags.

AEGP_SetEffectFlags(
  AEGP_EffectRefH   effect_refH,
  AEGP_EffectFlags  mask,
  AEGP_EffectFlags  effect_flags);

AEGP_ReorderEffect

Change the order of applied effects (pass the requested index).

AEGP_ReorderEffect(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH,
  A_long           effect_indexL);

AEGP_EffectCallGeneric

Call an effect plug-in, and pass it a pointer to any data you like; the effect can modify it. This is how AEGPs communicate with effects. Pass PF_Cmd_COMPLETELY_GENERAL for effect_cmd.

AEGP_EffectCallGeneric(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effectH,
  const A_Time     *timePT,
  PF_Cmd           effect_cmd,
  void             *extraPV);

AEGP_DisposeEffect

Disposes of an AEGP_EffectRefH. Use this to dispose of any AEGP_EffectRefH returned by After Effects.

AEGP_DisposeEffect(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effectH);

AEGP_ApplyEffect

Apply an effect to a given layer. Returns the newly-created AEGP_EffectRefH.

AEGP_ApplyEffect(
  AEGP_PluginID            aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_LayerH              layerH,
  AEGP_InstalledEffectKey  installed_key,
  AEGP_EffectRefH          *effect_refPH);

AEGP_DeleteLayerEffect

Remove an applied effect.

AEGP_DeleteLayerEffect(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH);

AEGP_GetNumInstalledEffects

Returns the count of effects installed in After Effects.

AEGP_GetNumInstalledEffects(
  A_long  *num_installed_effectsPL);

AEGP_GetNextInstalledEffect

Returns the AEGP_InstalledEffectKey of the next installed effect. Pass AEGP_InstalledEffectKey_NONE as the first parameter to obtain the first AEGP_InstalledEffectKey.

AEGP_GetNextInstalledEffect(
  AEGP_InstalledEffectKey  key,
  AEGP_InstalledEffectKey  *next_keyPH);

AEGP_GetEffectName

Get name of the effect. nameZ can be up to AEGP_MAX_EFFECT_NAME_SIZE + 1 long.

AEGP_GetEffectName(
  AEGP_InstalledEffectKey  installed_key,
  A_char                   *nameZ);

Note: use AEGP_SetStreamName to change the display name of an effect.

AEGP_GetEffectMatchName

Get match name of an effect (defined in PiPL). match_nameZ up to AEGP_MAX_EFFECT_MATCH_NAME_SIZE + 1 long.

AEGP_GetEffectMatchName(
  AEGP_InstalledEffectKey  installed_key,
  A_char                   *match_nameZ);

Match names are in 7-bit ASCII. UI names are in the current application runtime encoding; for example, ISO 8859-1 for most languages on Windows.

AEGP_GetEffectCategory

Menu category of effect. categoryZ can be up to AEGP_MAX_EFFECT_CATEGORY_NAME_SIZE + 1 long.

AEGP_GetEffectCategory(
  AEGP_InstalledEffectKey  installed_key,
  A_char                   *categoryZ);

AEGP_DuplicateEffect

Duplicates a given AEGP_EffectRefH. Caller must dispose of duplicate when finished.

AEGP_DuplicateEffect(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  orig_effect_refH,
  AEGP_EffectRefH  *dupe_refPH);

AEGP_NumEffectMask

New in CC 2014. How many masks are on this effect?

AEGP_NumEffectMask(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH,
  A_u_long         *num_masksPL);

AEGP_GetEffectMaskID

New in CC 2014. For a given mask_indexL, returns the corresponding AEGP_MaskIDVal for use in uniquely identifying the mask.

AEGP_GetEffectMaskID(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH,
  A_u_long         mask_indexL,
  AEGP_MaskIDVal   *id_valP);

AEGP_AddEffectMask

New in CC 2014. Add an effect mask, which may be created using the Mask Management. Returns the local stream of the effect ref - useful if you want to add keyframes. Caller must dispose of AEGP_StreamRefH when finished. Undoable.

AEGP_AddEffectMask(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH,
  AEGP_MaskIDVal   id_val,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamPH0);

AEGP_RemoveEffectMask

New in CC 2014. Remove an effect mask. Undoable.

AEGP_RemoveEffectMask(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH,
  AEGP_MaskIDVal   id_val);

AEGP_SetEffectMask

New in CC 2014. Set an effect mask on an existing index. Returns the local stream of the effect ref - useful if you want to add keyframes. Caller must dispose of AEGP_StreamRefH when finished. Undoable.

AEGP_SetEffectMask(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH,
  A_u_long         mask_indexL,
  AEGP_MaskIDVal   id_val,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *streamPH0);

Exploiting Effect UI Behavior To Look Cool

Even if you manipulate a layer’s effects, its effect controls won’t necessarily become visible.

However, if you apply then immediately remove an effect, the layer’s effect controls will be made visible.

Tricky, eh?


StreamRefs And EffectRefs

How do you get an AEGP_StreamRef for an effect? Start by getting the effect’s AEGP_EffectRef, by calling AEGP_GetNewEffectForEffect().

Then call AEGP_GetNewEffectStreamByIndex(), say for param index 1, which passes back a parameter stream.

Then call AEGP_GetNewParentStreamRef() - voila, your AEGP_StreamRef sir!

If you acquire references to an effect’s streams, do not dispose of the AEGP_EffectRefH until you’re done with the streams, or you’ll unbalance After Effects’ checkout mechanism. Also remember that AEGP_StreamRefHs are opaque; AEGP_StreamValue2s are not (entirely).

To get an effect’s instance name (as renamed by the user), get the AEGP_StreamRef for the effect itself and call AEGP_GetStreamName.


Diving Into Streams!

Just about everything in After Effects is a stream. Effect parameters, layers, masks, and shapes are all internally represented by streams. The AEGP API can access nearly every aspect of every stream.

The After Effects timeline can contain numerous object types; each object supports a set of parameters called streams. All streams, regardless of which type of object to which they’re attached, are conceptually similar (and handled similarly by After Effects. But the way you access each type of stream varies because of their containment.

A stream, once acquired, represents a value which may change over time. Not all streams can vary over time, and a particular stream may not be time-variant at the time of access.

There are two ways to access the value of a stream. If the stream has keyframes, you can use the Working With Keyframes. The values provided won’t reflect the influence of expressions. Note: In any expression, the current keyframed value is always available as the variable value.

You can also use AEGP_GetNewStreamValue from AEGP_StreamSuite5, which samples the value of the stream at a particular time. For streams without expressions or keyframes, the time parameter is meaningless, and the function returns what essentially is the constant value of the stream. Use AEGP_SetStreamValue (which doesn’t take a time as a parameter) to set these streams.

Many StreamSuite functions populate a StreamH, which your AEGP must dispose. when done. After Effects allocates and passes you a copy of the values, not a direct handle to the original value. AEGP_GetNewLayerStream() is restricted to streams for which no memory allocation is required to access their values.


Okay, What Did I Just Get?

A stream value is a large union, only one structure of which (depending on the stream type) is populated. Note the similarity to the PF_ParamDef.

typedef union {
  AEGP_FourDVal         four_d;
  AEGP_ThreeDVal        three_d;
  AEGP_TwoDVal          two_d;
  AEGP_OneDVal          one_d;
  AEGP_ColorVal         color;
  AEGP_ArbBlockVal      arbH;
  AEGP_MarkerValP       markerP;
  AEGP_LayerIDVal       layer_id;
  AEGP_MaskIDVal        mask_id;
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH  mask;
  AEGP_TextDocumentH    text_documentH;
} AEGP_StreamVal2;

Layers

AEGP_GetLayerStreamValue is used to access the parameters like anchor point and position, native to almost all layers in AE.

Use IsStreamLegal to allow you to determine if that stream type is offered on that layer.


Masks

Since a layer can have multiple masks, access the masks using AEGP_GetLayerMaskByIndex from AEGP_MaskSuite6.

Masks don’t have streams like layers do; they get their own enumeration. Access their streams using AEGP_GetNewMaskStream from AEGP_StreamSuite5.


Effects

They can have a variable number of streams/parameters, and the order and definition of them is not known when the AEGP is written.

Therefore we cannot offer an enum for selecting them, and instead you must get them by index, hence GetNewEffectStreamByIndex from AEGP_StreamSuite5.


Stream Suite

Access and manipulate the values of a layer’s streams. For paint and text streams, use Dynamic Streams instead.

AEGP_StreamSuite5

Function

Purpose

AEGP_IsStreamLegal

Determines if the given stream is appropriate for the given layer.

AEGP_IsStreamLegal(
  AEGP_LayerH       layerH,
  AEGP_LayerStream  which_stream,
  A_Boolean*        is_legalP);

AEGP_CanVaryOverTime

Given a stream, returns whether or not a stream is time-variant (and can be keyframed).

AEGP_CanVaryOverTime(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        *can_varyPB);

AEGP_GetValidInterpolations

Retrieves an AEGP_KeyInterpolationMask indicating which interpolation types are valid for the AEGP_StreamRefH.

AEGP_GetValidInterpolations(
  AEGP_StreamRefH            streamH,
  AEGP_KeyInterpolationMask  *valid_interpP);

AEGP_KeyInterpolationMask will be a combination of the following:

  • AEGP_KeyInterpMask_NONE

  • AEGP_KeyInterpMask_LINEAR

  • AEGP_KeyInterpMask_BEZIER

  • AEGP_KeyInterpMask_HOLD

  • AEGP_KeyInterpMask_CUSTOM

  • AEGP_KeyInterpMask_ANY

AEGP_GetNewLayerStream

Get a layer’s data stream. Plug-in must dispose of streamPH. Note that this will not provide keyframe access; Use the AEGP_KeyframeSuite instead.

AEGP_GetNewLayerStream(
  AEGP_PluginID     id,
  AEGP_LayerH       layerH,
  AEGP_LayerStream  which_stream,
  AEGP_StreamRefH   *streamPH);
  • AEGP_LayerStream_ANCHORPOINT,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_POSITION,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_SCALE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_ROTATION,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_ROTATE_Z,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_OPACITY,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_AUDIO,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_MARKER,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_TIME_REMAP,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_ROTATE_X,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_ROTATE_Y,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_ORIENTATION

Only valid for AEGP_ObjectType_CAMERA:

  • AEGP_ObjectType_CAMERA

  • AEGP_LayerStream_ZOOM,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_DEPTH_OF_FIELD,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_FOCUS_DISTANCE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_APERTURE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_BLUR_LEVEL,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_IRIS_SHAPE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_IRIS_ROTATION,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_IRIS_ROUNDNESS,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_IRIS_ASPECT_RATIO,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_IRIS_DIFFRACTION_FRINGE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_IRIS_HIGHLIGHT_GAIN,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_IRIS_HIGHLIGHT_THRESHOLD,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_IRIS_HIGHLIGHT_SATURATION,

Only valid for AEGP_ObjectType_LIGHT:

  • AEGP_LayerStream_INTENSITY,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_COLOR,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_CONE_ANGLE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_CONE_FEATHER,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_SHADOW_DARKNESS,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_SHADOW_DIFFUSION,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_LIGHT_FALLOFF_TYPE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_LIGHT_FALLOFF_START,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_LIGHT_FALLOFF_DISTANCE,

Only valid for AEGP_ObjectType_AV:

  • AEGP_LayerStream_ACCEPTS_SHADOWS,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_ACCEPTS_LIGHTS,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_AMBIENT_COEFF,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_DIFFUSE_COEFF,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_SPECULAR_INTENSITY,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_SPECULAR_SHININESS,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_METAL,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_LIGHT_TRANSMISSION,

Only valid for AEGP_ObjectType_AV, new in CS6:
  • AEGP_LayerStream_REFLECTION_INTENSITY,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_REFLECTION_SHARPNESS,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_REFLECTION_ROLLOFF,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_TRANSPARENCY_COEFF,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_TRANSPARENCY_ROLLOFF,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_INDEX_OF_REFRACTION,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_EXTRUSION_BEVEL_STYLE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_EXTRUSION_BEVEL_DIRECTION,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_EXTRUSION_BEVEL_DEPTH,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_EXTRUSION_HOLE_BEVEL_DEPTH,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_EXTRUSION_DEPTH,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_PLANE_CURVATURE,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_PLANE_SUBDIVISION,

Only valid for LIGHT and AV only:

  • AEGP_LayerStream_CASTS_SHADOWS,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_SOURCE_TEXT

  • AEGP_LayerStream_BEGIN = AEGP_LayerStream_ANCHORPOINT,

  • AEGP_LayerStream_END = AEGP_LayerStream_LIGHT_FALLOFF_DISTANCE + 1

enum {
  AEGP_LightFalloff_NONE = 0,
  AEGP_LightFalloff_SMOOTH,
  AEGP_LightFalloff_INVERSE_SQUARE_CLAMPED
};

typedef A_u_long AEGP_LightFalloffType;

AEGP_GetEffectNumParamStreams

Get number of parameter streams associated with an effect.

AEGP_GetEffectNumParamStreams(
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH,
  A_long           *num_parmsPL);

AEGP_GetNewEffectStreamByIndex

Get an effect’s parameter stream. Plug-in must dispose of streamPH.

AEGP_GetNewEffectStreamByIndex(
  AEGP_PluginID    id,
  AEGP_EffectRefH  effect_refH,
  PF_ParamIndex    param_index,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *streamPH);

AEGP_GetNewMaskStream

Get a mask’s stream. The stream must be disposed. Also see the AEGP_MaskSuite and AEGP_MaskOutlineSuite for additional Mask functions.

  • AEGP_MaskStream_OUTLINE,

  • AEGP_MaskStream_OPACITY,

  • AEGP_MaskStream_FEATHER,

  • AEGP_MaskStream_EXPANSION,

Useful for iteration:

  • AEGP_MaskStream_BEGIN = AEGP_MaskStream_OUTLINE,

  • AEGP_MaskStream_END = AEGP_MaskStream_EXPANSION + 1

AEGP_GetNewMaskStream(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_MaskRefH    mask_refH,
  AEGP_MaskStream  which_stream,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *mask_strmPH);

AEGP_DisposeStream

Dispose of a stream (do this with all streams passed to the plug-in by these functions).

AEGP_DisposeStream(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH);

AEGP_GetNewMaskOpacity

Get the mask’s opacity stream. The stream must be disposed.

AEGP_GetNewMaskOpacity(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_MaskH       maskH,
  PF_ParamIndex    param_index,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *mask_opacity_streamPH);

AEGP_GetStreamName

Get name of the stream (localized or forced English). is handle of A_UTF16Char (contains null terminated UTF16 string); must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetStreamName(
  AEGP_PluginID    pluginID,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        force_englishB,
  AEGP_MemHandle   *utf_stream_namePH);

NOTE: if force_englishB is TRUE, the default name will override any stream renaming which has been done (either programatically, or by the user).

AEGP_GetStreamUnitsText

Get stream units, formatted as text (localized or forced English); unitsZ up to AEGP_MAX_STREAM_NAME_LEN + 1 long.

AEGP_GetStreamUnitsText(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        force_englishB,
  A_char           *unitsZ);

AEGP_GetStreamProperties

Get stream’s flags, as well as minimum and maximum values (as floats), if the stream has mins and maxes.

StreamFlags values:

  • AEGP_StreamFlag_NONE

  • AEGP_StreamFlag_HAS_MIN

  • AEGP_StreamFlag_HAS_MAX

AEGP_GetStreamProperties(
  AEGP_StreamRefH   streamH,
  AEGP_StreamFlags  *flagsP,
  A_FpLong          *minP0,
  A_FpLong          *maxP0);

AEGP_IsStreamTimevarying

Returns whether or not the stream is affected by expressions.

AEGP_IsStreamTimevarying(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        *is_timevaryPB);

AEGP_GetStreamType

Get type (dimension) of a stream.

AEGP_GetStreamType(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  AEGP_StreamType  *stream_typeP);
  • AEGP_StreamType_NO_DATA,

  • AEGP_StreamType_TwoD_SPATIAL,

  • AEGP_StreamType_TwoD,

  • AEGP_StreamType_ThreeD,

  • AEGP_StreamType_ThreeD_SPATIAL,

  • AEGP_StreamType_OneD,

  • AEGP_StreamType_COLOR,

  • AEGP_StreamType_ARB,

  • AEGP_StreamType_MARKER,

  • AEGP_StreamType_LAYER_ID,

  • AEGP_StreamType_MASK_ID,

  • AEGP_StreamType_MASK,

  • AEGP_StreamType_TEXT_DOCUMENT

NOTE: always returns ThreeD_Spatial for position, regardless of whether or not the layer is 3D.

AEGP_GetNewStreamValue

Get value, at a time you specify, of stream. valueP must be disposed by the plug-in. The AEGP_LTimeMode indicates whether the time is in compositions or layer time.

AEGP_GetNewStreamValue(
  AEGP_PluginID      aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH    streamH,
  AEGP_LTimeMode     time_mode,
  const A_Time       *timePT,
  A_Boolean          pre_exprB,
  AEGP_StreamValue2  *valueP);

AEGP_DisposeStreamValue

Dispose of stream value. Always deallocate values passed to the plug-in.

AEGP_DisposeStreamValue(
  AEGP_StreamValue2  *valueP);

AEGP_SetStreamValue

Only legal when stream is not time-variant.

AEGP_SetStreamValue(
  AEGP_PluginID      aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH    streamH,
  AEGP_StreamValue2  *valueP);

AEGP_GetLayerStreamValue

NOTE: This convenience function is only valid for streams with primitive data types, and not for AEGP_ArbBlockVal, AEGP_MarkerValH or AEGP_MaskOutlineValH. For these and other complex types, use AEGP_GetNewStreamValue, described above.

AEGP_GetLayerStreamValue(
  AEGP_LayerH       layerH,
  AEGP_LayerStream  which_stream,
  AEGP_LTimeMode    time_mode,
  const A_Time      *timePT,
  A_Boolean         pre_expB,
  AEGP_StreamVal    *stream_valP,
  AEGP_StreamType   *strm_typeP0);

AEGP_GetExpressionState

Determines whether expressions are enabled on the given AEGP_StreamRefH.

AEGP_GetExpressionState(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        *enabledPB);

AEGP_SetExpressionState

Enables and disables expressions on the given AEGP_StreamRefH.

AEGP_SetExpressionState(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        enabledB);

AEGP_GetExpression

Obtains the expression’s text. Starting in suite version 5 (available in 15.0 and later), this now supports Unicode.

AEGP_GetExpression(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  AEGP_MemHandle   *unicodeHZ);

AEGP_SetExpression

Sets the expression’s text. Starting in suite version 5 (available in 15.0 and later), this now supports Unicode.

AEGP_SetExpression(
  AEGP_PluginID      aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH    streamH,
  const A_UTF16Char*  expressionP);

AEGP_DuplicateStreamRef

Duplicates a given AEGP_StreamRefH. Dispose of the duplicate.

AEGP_DuplicateStreamRef(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *dup_streamPH);

Dynamic Streams

AEGP_DynamicStreamSuite accesses and manipulates paint and text streams.

Use AEGP_GetStreamGroupingType and AEGP_GetDynamicStreamFlags to identify the stream before attempting to use functions which only work on certain stream types.

Also note that, often, you can simply use Stream Suite calls to work with dynamic streams. On the other hand, only those functions specific to dynamic streams are in this suite.

AEGP_DynamicStreamSuite4

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetNewStreamRefForLayer

Retrieves the AEGP_StreamRefH corresponding to the layer. This function is used to initiate a recursive walk of the layer’s streams.

AEGP_GetNewStreamRefForLayer(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_LayerH      layerH,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *streamPH);

AEGP_GetNewStreamRefForMask

Retrieves the AEGP_StreamRefH corresponding to the mask.

AEGP_GetNewStreamRefForMask(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_MaskRefH    maskH,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *streamPH);

AEGP_GetStreamDepth

Retrieves the number of sub-streams associated with the given AEGP_StreamRefH. The initial layer has a depth of 0.

AEGP_GetStreamDepth(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_long           *depthPL);

AEGP_GetStreamGroupingType

Retrieves the grouping type for the given AEGP_StreamRefH.

AEGP_GetStreamGroupingType(
  AEGP_StreamRefH          streamH,
  AEGP_StreamGroupingType  *group_typeP);

AEGP_StreamGroupingType will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_StreamGroupingType_NONE

  • AEGP_StreamGroupingType_LEAF

  • AEGP_StreamGroupingType_NAMED_GROUP

  • AEGP_StreamGroupingType_INDEXED_GROUP

AEGP_GetNumStreamsInGroup

Retrieves the number of streams associated with the given AEGP_StreamRefH. This function will return an error if called with an AEGP_StreamRefH with type AEGP_StreamGroupingType_LEAF.

AEGP_GetNumStreamsInGroup(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_long           *num_streamsPL);

AEGP_GetDynamicStreamFlags

Retrieves the flags for a given AEGP_StreamRefH.

AEGP_GetDynamicStreamFlags(
  AEGP_StreamRefH      streamH,
  AEGP_DynStreamFlags  *flagsP);

AEGP_DynStreamFlags will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_DynStreamFlag_ACTIVE_EYEBALL means that the stream is available for reading and writing.

  • AEGP_DynStreamFlag_HIDDEN means that, while the stream is still readable/writable, it may not currently be visible in the UI.

  • AEGP_DynStreamFlag_DISABLED A read-only flag. Indicates whether the AEGP_StreamRefH is grayed out in the UI. Note that as of CS5, this flag will not be returned if a parameter is disabled. Instead, check PF_PUI_DISABLED in Parameter UI Flags.

  • AEGP_DynStreamFlag_ELIDED A read-only flag. Indicates that the AEGP_StreamRefH is read-only, the user never sees it. However, the children are still seen and not indented in the Timeline panel.

  • AEGP_DynStreamFlag_SHOWN_WHEN_EMPTY New in CS6. A read-only flag. Indicates that this stream group should be shown when empty.

  • AEGP_DynStreamFlag_SKIP_REVEAL_WHEN_UNHIDDEN New in CS6. A read-only flag. Indicates that this stream property will not be automatically revealed when un-hidden.

AEGP_SetDynamicStreamFlag

Sets the specified flag for the AEGP_StreamRefH.

Note: flags must be set individually. Undoable if undoableB is TRUE.

AEGP_SetDynamicStreamFlag(
  AEGP_StreamRefH      streamH,
  AEGP_DynStreamFlags  one_flag,
  A_Boolean            undoableB,
  A_Boolean            setB);

This call may be used to dynamically show or hide parameters, by setting and clearing AEGP_DynStreamFlag_HIDDEN. However, AEGP_DynStreamFlag_DISABLED may not be set.

AEGP_GetNewStreamRefByIndex

Retrieves a sub-stream by index from a given AEGP_StreamRefH. Cannot be used on streams of type AEGP_StreamGroupingType_LEAF.

AEGP_GetNewStreamRefByIndex(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  parent_groupH,
  A_long           indexL,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *streamPH);

AEGP_GetNewStreamRefByMatchname

Retrieves a sub-stream by match name from a given AEGP_StreamRefH. Only legal for AEGP_StreamGroupingType_NAMED_GROUP.

AEGP_GetNewStreamRefByMatchname(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  parent_groupH,
  const A_char     *match_nameZ,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *streamPH);

Here are some handy stream names, for which references may be retrieved:

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_MASK_PARADE

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_MASK_ATOM

  • AEGP_StreamName_MASK_FEATHER

  • AEGP_StreamName_MASK_OPACITY

  • AEGP_StreamName_MASK_OFFSET

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_EFFECT_PARADE

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_LAYER

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_AV_LAYER

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_TEXT_LAYER

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_CAMERA_LAYER

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_LIGHT_LAYER

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_AUDIO

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_MATERIAL_OPTIONS

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_TRANSFORM

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_LIGHT_OPTIONS

  • AEGP_StreamGroupName_CAMERA_OPTIONS

AEGP_DeleteStream

Deletes the specified stream from a stream grouping. Note that the caller must still dispose of any AEGP_StreamRefH it’s already acquired (allocated) via the API. Undoable. Only valid for children of type AEGP_StreamGroupingType_INDEXED_GROUP.

AEGP_DeleteStream(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH);

Note: as of 6.5, if a stream is deleted while it or any child stream is selected, the current composition selection will become NULL.

AEGP_ReorderStream

Sets the new index of the specified AEGP_StreamRefH. Undoable. Only valid for children of AEGP_StreamGroupingType_INDEXED_GROUP. The AEGP_StreamRefH is updated to refer to the newly-ordered stream.

AEGP_ReorderStream(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH
  A_long           new_indexL);

AEGP_DuplicateStream

Duplicates the specified stream and appends it to the stream group. Undoable. Only valid for children of AEGP_StreamGroupingType_INDEXED_GROUP.

AEGP_DuplicateStream(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_long           *new_indexPL0);

AEGP_SetStreamName

Sets the name of the given AEGP_StreamRefH. Undoable. nameZ points to a null terminated UTF-16 string. Only valid for children of AEGP_StreamGroupingType_INDEXED_GROUP.

NOTE: If you retrieve the name with force_englishB set to TRUE, you will get the canonical, UNchanged name of the stream.

AEGP_SetStreamName(
  AEGP_StreamRefH    streamH,
  const A_UTF16Char  *nameZ);

Note: Use this on an effect stream’s group to change the display name of an effect.

AEGP_CanAddStream

Returns whether or not it is currently possible to add a stream through the API.

AEGP_CanAddStream(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  group_streamH,
  const A_char     *match_nameZ,
  A_Boolean        *can_addPB);

AEGP_AddStream

Adds a stream to the specified stream group. Undoable. Only valid for AEGP_StreamGroupingType_INDEXED_GROUP.

AEGP_AddStream(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  indxd_grp_streamH,
  const A_char     *match_nameZ,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *streamPH0);

AEGP_GetMatchName

Retrieves the match name for the specified AEGP_StreamRefH.

Note that this may differ from the display name, which can be retrieves using AEGP_GetStreamName, in AEGP_StreamSuite5. nameZ can be up to AEGP_MAX_STREAM_MATCH_NAME_SIZE in length.

AEGP_GetMatchName(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_char           *nameZ);

AEGP_GetNewParentStreamRef

Retrieves an AEGP_StreamRefH for the parent of the specified AEGP_StreamRefH.

AEGP_GetNewParentStreamRef(
  AEGP_PluginID    plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *parentPH);

AEGP_GetStreamIsModified

Returns whether or not the specified AEGP_StreamRefH has been modified.

Note: the same result is available throught the After Effect user interface by typing “UU” with the composition selected.

AEGP_GetStreamIsModified(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        *modifiedPB);

AEGP_GetStreamIndexInParent

Retrieves the index of a given stream, relative to its parent stream. Only valid for children of AEGP_StreamGroupingType_INDEXED_GROUP

AEGP_GetStreamIndexInParent(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_long           *indexPL);

NOTE: As mentioned elsewhere, AEGP_StreamRefHs don’t persist across function calls. If streams are re-ordered, added or removed, all AEGP_StreamRefHs previously retrieved may be invalidated.

AEGP_IsSeparationLeader

Valid on leaf streams only. Returns true if this stream is a multidimensional stream that can have its dimensions separated, though they may not be currently separated.

Terminology: A Leader is the stream that can be separated, a Follower is one of N automatic streams that correspond to the N dimensions of the Leader.

A Leader isn’t always separated, call AEGP_AreDimensionsSeparated to find out if it is. As of CS4, the only stream that is ever separarated is the layer’s Position property. Please do not write code assuming that, we anticipate allowing separation of more streams in the future.

AEGP_IsSeparationLeader(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        *leaderPB);

AEGP_AreDimensionsSeparated

Methods such as AEGP_GetNewKeyframeValue that work on keyframe indices will most definitely not work on the Leader property, you will need to retrieve and operate on the Followers explicitly.

AEGP_AreDimensionsSeparated(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        *separatedPB);

AEGP_SetDimensionsSeparated

Valid only if AEGP_IsSeparationLeader() is true.

AEGP_AreDimensionsSeparated(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_Boolean        *separatedPB);

AEGP_GetSeparationFollower

Retrieve the Follower stream corresponding to a given dimension of the Leader stream. dimS can range from 0 to AEGP_GetStreamValueDimensionality(lea der_streamH) - 1.

AEGP_GetSeparationFollower(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  leader_streamH
  A_short          dimS,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *follower_streamPH);

AEGP_IsSeparationFollower

Valid on leaf streams only. Returns true if this stream is a one dimensional property that represents one of the dimensions of a Leader. You can retrieve stream from the Leader using AEGP_GetSeparationFollower().

AEGP_IsSeparationFollower(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH
  A_Boolean        *followerPB);

AEGP_GetSeparationLeader

Valid on separation Followers only, returns the Leader it is part of.

AEGP_GetSeparationLeader(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  follower_streamH,
  AEGP_StreamRefH  *leader_streamPH);

AEGP_GetSeparationDimension

Valid on separation Followers only, returns which dimension of the Leader it corresponds to.

AEGP_GetSeparationDimension(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  follower_streamH,
  A_short          *dimPS);

Working With Keyframes

Keyframes make After Effects what it is. AEGPs (and…ssshh, don’t tell anyone…effects) can use this suite to add, manipulate and remove keyframes from any keyframe-able stream.

AEGP_KeyframeSuite3

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetStreamNumKFs

Retrieves the number of keyframes on the given stream. Returns AEGP_NumKF_NO_DATA if the stream is not keyframe-able. Also, note that a stream without keyframes isn’t necessarily constant; it can be altered by expressions.

AEGP_GetStreamNumKFs(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_long           *num_kfsPL);

AEGP_GetKeyframeTime

Retrieves the time of the specified keyframe.

AEGP_GetKeyframeTime(
  AEGP_StreamRefH     streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex  index,
  AEGP_LTimeMode      time_mode,
  A_Time              *timePT);

AEGP_InsertKeyframe

Adds a keyframe to the specified stream (at the specified composition or layer time). Returns the new keyframe’s index. All indexes greater than the new index are now invalid (but you knew that). If there is already a keyframe at that time, the values will be updated.

AEGP_InsertKeyframe(
  AEGP_StreamRefH     streamH,
  AEGP_LTimeMode      time_mode,
  const A_Time        *timePT,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex  *key_indexP);

AEGP_DeleteKeyframe

Deletes the specified keyframe.

AEGP_DeleteKeyframe(
  AEGP_StreamRefH     streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex  key_index);

AEGP_GetNewKeyframeValue

Creates and populates an AEGP_StreamValue2 for the stream’s value at the time of the keyframe. The returned AEGP_StreamValue2 must be disposed of using AEGP_DisposeStreamValue.

AEGP_GetNewKeyframeValue(
  AEGP_PluginID       plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH     streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex  key_index,
  AEGP_StreamValue2   *valueP);

AEGP_SetKeyframeValue

Sets the stream’s value at the time of the keyframe.

AEGP_SetKeyframeValue(
  AEGP_StreamRefH          streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex       index,
  const AEGP_StreamValue2  *valP);

AEGP_GetStreamValueDimensionality

Retrieves the dimensionality of the stream’s value.

AEGP_GetStreamValueDimensionality(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_short          *value_dimPS);

AEGP_GetStreamTemporalDimensionality

Retrieves the temporal dimensionality of the stream.

AEGP_GetStreamTemporalDimensionality(
  AEGP_StreamRefH  streamH,
  A_short          *t_dimPS);

AEGP_GetNewKeyframeSpatialTangents

Returns the AEGP_StreamValue2s representing the stream’s tangential values at the time of the keyframe.

The returned AEGP_StreamValue2s must be disposed of using AEGP_DisposeStreamValue.

AEGP_GetNewKeyframeSpatialTangents(
  AEGP_PluginID       plugin_id,
  AEGP_StreamRefH     streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex  key_index,
  AEGP_StreamValue2   *in_tanP0,
  AEGP_StreamValue2   *out_tanP0);

AEGP_SetKeyframeSpatialTangents

Specifies the tangential AEGP_StreamValue2s to be used for the stream’s value at the time of the keyframe. The AEGP_StreamValue2s passed for in and out tangents are not adopted by After Effects, and must be disposed of using AEGP_DisposeStreamValue.

AEGP_SetKeyframeSpatialTangents(
  AEGP_StreamRefH          streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex       key_index,
  const AEGP_StreamValue2  *in_tP0,
  const AEGP_StreamValue2  *out_tP0);

NOTE: In AEGP_KeyframeSuite2 and prior versions, the values returned from this function were wrong when called on an effect point control stream or anchor point. They were not multiplied by the layer size. Now they are.

AEGP_GetKeyframeTemporalEase

Retrieves the AEGP_KeyframeEases associated with the specified dimension of the stream’s value at the time of the keyframe. dimensionL ranges from 0 to (temporal_dimensionality -1).

AEGP_GetKeyframeTemporalEase(
  AEGP_StreamRefH     streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex  key_index,
  A_long              dimensionL,
  AEGP_KeyframeEase   *in_easeP0,
  AEGP_KeyframeEase   *out_easeP0);

NOTE: the returned ease values must be multiplied by layer height to match the values displayed in the After Effects UI.

AEGP_SetKeyframeTemporalEase

Specifies the AEGP_KeyframeEases to be used for the stream’s value at the time of the keyframe. dimensionL ranges from 0 to (temporal_dimensionality -1). The AEGP_KeyframeEases passed are not adopted by After Effects.

AEGP_SetKeyframeTemporalEase(
  AEGP_StreamRefH           streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex        key_index,
  A_long                    dimL,
  const AEGP_KeyframeEase   *in_P0,
  const AEGP_KeyframeEase   *outP0);

AEGP_GetKeyframeFlags

Retrieves the flags currently set for the keyframe.

AEGP_GetKeyframeFlags(
  AEGP_StreamRefH     streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex  key_index,
  AEGP_KeyframeFlags  *flagsP);

*flagsP will be a combination of the following:

  • AEGP_KeyframeFlag_NONE

  • AEGP_KeyframeFlag_TEMPORAL_CONTINUOUS

  • AEGP_KeyframeFlag_TEMPORAL_AUTOBEZIER

  • AEGP_KeyframeFlag_SPATIAL_CONTINUOUS

  • AEGP_KeyframeFlag_SPATIAL_AUTOBEZIER

  • AEGP_KeyframeFlag_ROVING

AEGP_SetKeyframeFlag

Sets the specified flag for the keyframe. Flags must be set individually.

AEGP_SetKeyframeFlag(
  AEGP_StreamRefH     streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex  key_index,
  AEGP_KeyframeFlags  flag,
  A_Boolean           valueB);

AEGP_GetKeyframeInterpolation

Retrieves the in and out AEGP_KeyframeInterpolationTypes for the specified keyframe.

AEGP_GetKeyframeInterpolation(
  AEGP_StreamRefH                 streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex              key_index,
  AEGP_KeyframeInterpolationType  *inP0,
  AEGP_KeyframeInterpolationType  *outP0);

AEGP_KeyframeInterpolationType is one of the following:

  • AEGP_KeyInterp_NONE

  • AEGP_KeyInterp_LINEAR

  • AEGP_KeyInterp_BEZIER

  • AEGP_KeyInterp_HOLD

AEGP_SetKeyframeInterpolation

Specifies the in and out AEGP_KeyframeInterpolationTypes to be used for the given keyframe.

AEGP_SetKeyframeInterpolation(
  AEGP_StreamRefH                 streamH,
  AEGP_KeyframeIndex              key_index,
  AEGP_KeyframeInterpolationType  in_interp,
  AEGP_KeyframeInterpolationType  out_interp);

AEGP_StartAddKeyframes

Informs After Effects that you’re going to be adding several keyframes to the specified stream. After Effects will return an allocated opaque AEGP_AddKeyframesInfoH, for use with the calls below.

AEGP_StartAddKeyframes(
  AEGP_StreamRefH         streamH,
  AEGP_AddKeyframesInfoH  *akPH);

AEGP_AddKeyframes

Adds a keyframe to the specified stream at the specified (layer or composition) time.

Note: this doesn’t actually do anything to the stream’s value.

AEGP_AddKeyframes(
  AEGP_AddKeyframesInfoH  akH,
  AEGP_LTimeMode          time_mode,
  const A_Time            *timePT,
  A_long                  *indexPL);

AEGP_SetAddKeyframe

Sets the value of the specified keyframe.

AEGP_SetAddKeyframe(
  AEGP_AddKeyframesInfoH   akH,
  A_long                   indexL,
  const AEGP_StreamValue2  *valueP);

AEGP_EndAddKeyframes

Tells After Effects you’re done adding keyframes.

AEGP_EndAddKeyframes(
  A_Boolean               addB,
  AEGP_AddKeyframesInfoH  akH);

Adding Multiple Keyframes

Each time you call AEGP_InsertKeyframe(), the entire stream is added to the undo stack.

If you’re adding one or two keyframes, this isn’t a problem. However, if you’re writing a keyframer, you’ll want to do things the right way.

Before you begin adding keyframes, call the (very-appropriately-named) AEGP_StartAddKeyframes, passing it an opaque AEGP_AddKeyframesInfoH.

For each keyframe to add, call AEGP_AddKeyframes to set the time to be used (and get the newly-added keyframe’s index), then AEGP_SetAddKeyframe to specify the value to be used.

Once you’re finished, call AEGP_EndAddKeyframes to let know After Effects know it’s time to add the changed parameter stream to the undo stack.


Marker Streams

AEGP_MarkerSuite allows for direct manipulation of marker data.

AEGP_MarkerSuite2

Function

Purpose

AEGP_NewMarker

Creates a new marker.

AEGP_NewMarker(
  AEGP_MarkerValP  *markerPP);

AEGP_DisposeMarker

Disposes of a marker.

AEGP_DisposeMarker(
  AEGP_MarkerValP  markerP);

AEGP_DuplicateMarker

Duplicates a marker (didn’t see that one coming, eh?).

AEGP_DuplicateMarker(
  AEGP_MarkerValP  markerP,
  AEGP_MarkerValP  *new_markerP);

AEGP_SetMarkerFlag

Sets a marker flag’s value.

AEGP_SetMarkerFlag(
  AEGP_MarkerValP      markerP,
  AEGP_MarkerFlagType  flagType,
  A_Boolean            valueB);

Currently, AEGP_MarkerFlagType is one of the following:

  • AEGP_MarkerFlag_NONE

  • AEGP_MarkerFlag_NAVIGATION

AEGP_GetMarkerFlag

Gets the value (see above) of a given AEGP_MarkerFlagType.

AEGP_GetMarkerFlag(
  AEGP_ConstMarkerValP  markerP,
  AEGP_MarkerFlagType   flagType
  A_Boolean             *valueBP);

AEGP_GetMarkerString

Retrieves the UTF-16, NULL-terminated string located in the specified marker field. Must be disposed of by caller using AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetMarkerString(
  AEGP_PluginID          id,
  AEGP_ConstMarkerValP   markerP,
  AEGP_MarkerStringType  strType,
  AEGP_MemHandle         *unicodePH);

AEGP_SetMarkerString

Sets the specified field of a marker to the provided text.

AEGP_SetMarkerString(
  AEGP_MarkerValP        markerP,
  AEGP_MarkerStringType  strType,
  const A_u_short        *unicodeP,
  A_long                 lengthL);

AEGP_CountCuePointParams

Returns the number of cue point parameters.

AEGP_CountCuePointParams(
  AEGP_ConstMarkerValP  markerP,
  A_long                *paramsLP);

AEGP_GetIndCuePointParam

Returns the cue point param at the specified index (which must be between 0 and (cue point params -1). Returned handles are UTF-16, NULL-terminated strings, and must be disposed of by caller using AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetIndCuePointParam(
  AEGP_PluginID         id,
  AEGP_ConstMarkerValP  markerP,
  A_long                param_indexL,
  AEGP_MemHandle        *unicodeKeyPH,
  AEGP_MemHandle        *uni_ValuePH);

AEGP_SetIndCuePointParam

Set the value of an indexed cue point parameter to the specified value. key_lengthL is “number of unicode characters”, and value_lenL is the length of the provided value. unicode_KeyP and unicode_ValueP point to UTF-16 data.

AEGP_SetIndCuePointParam(
  AEGP_MarkerValP  markerP,
  A_long           param_idxL,
  const A_u_short  *unicode_KeyP,
  A_long           key_lengthL,
  const A_u_short  *unicode_ValueP,
  A_long           value_lengthL);

AEGP_InsertCuePointParam

Inserts a cue point parameter. This call is following by AEGP_SetIndCuePointParam to actually set the data.

AEGP_InsertCuePointParam(
  AEGP_MarkerValP  markerP,
  A_long           param_idxL);

AEGP_DeleteInd CuePointParam

Deletes the cue point param at the specified index.

AEGP_DeleteIndCuePointParam(
  AEGP_MarkerValP  markerP,
  A_long           param_idxL);

AEGP_SetMarkerDuration

AEGP_SetMarkerDuration(
  AEGP_MarkerValP  markerP,
  const A_Time     *durationPT);

AEGP_GetMarkerDuration

AEGP_GetMarkerDuration(
  AEGP_ConstMarkerValP  markerP,
  A_Time                *durationPT);

Mask Management

Access, manipulate, and delete a layer’s masks.

AEGP_MaskSuite6

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetLayerNumMasks

Counts the masks applied to a layer,

AEGP_GetLayerNumMasks(
  AEGP_LayerH  aegp_layerH,
  A_long       *num_masksPL);

AEGP_GetLayerMaskByIndex

Given a layer handle and mask index, returns a pointer to the mask handle. You must destroy the mask handle by using AEGP_DisposeMask().

AEGP_GetLayerMaskByIndex(
  AEGP_LayerH    aegp_layerH,
  A_long         mask_indexL,
  AEGP_MaskRefH  *maskPH);

AEGP_DisposeMask

Dispose of a mask handle.

AEGP_DisposeMask(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  maskH);

AEGP_GetMaskInvert

Given a mask handle, determines if the mask is inverted or not.

AEGP_GetMaskInvert(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  maskH,
  A_Boolean      *invertPB);

AEGP_SetMaskInvert

Sets the inversion state of a mask.

AEGP_SetMaskInvert(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  mask_refH,
  A_Boolean      invertB);

AEGP_GetMaskMode

Given a mask handle, returns the current mode of the mask.

PF_MaskMode_NONE does nothing, PF_MaskMode_ADD is the default behavior.

  • PF_MaskMode_NONE

  • PF_MaskMode_ADD,

  • PF_MaskMode_SUBTRACT,

  • PF_MaskMode_INTERSECT,

  • PF_MaskMode_LIGHTEN,

  • PF_MaskMode_DARKEN,

  • PF_MaskMode_DIFFERENCE,

AEGP_GetMaskMode(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  maskH,
  PF_MaskMode    *modeP);

AEGP_SetMaskMode

Sets the mode of the given mask.

AEGP_SetMaskMode(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  maskH,
  PF_MaskMode    mode);

AEGP_GetMaskMotionBlurState

Retrieves the motion blur setting for the given mask.

AEGP_GetMaskMotionBlurState(
  AEGP_MaskRefH   mask_refH,
  AEGP_MaskMBlur  *blur_stateP);

AEGP_MaskMBlur will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_MaskMBlur_SAME_AS_LAYER

  • AEGP_MaskMBlur_OFF

  • AEGP_MaskMBlur_ON

AEGP_SetMaskMotionBlurState

New in CS6. Sets the motion blur setting for the given mask.

AEGP_SetMaskMotionBlurState(
  AEGP_MaskRefH   mask_refH,
  AEGP_MaskMBlur  blur_state);

AEGP_GetMaskFeatherFalloff

New in CS6. Gets the type of feather falloff for the given mask, either AEGP_MaskFeatherFalloff_SMOOTH or AEGP_MaskFeatherFalloff_LINEAR.

AEGP_SetMaskMotionBlurState(
  AEGP_MaskRefH            mask_refH,
  AEGP_MaskFeatherFalloff  *feather_falloffP);

AEGP_SetMaskFeatherFalloff

Sets the type of feather falloff for the given mask.

AEGP_SetMaskMotionBlurState(
  AEGP_MaskRefH            mask_refH,
  AEGP_MaskFeatherFalloff  feather_falloff);

AEGP_GetMaskName

Removed in CS4. Use AEGP_GetNewStreamRefForMask and the name functions in the Dynamic Stream Suite instead.

AEGP_SetMaskName

AEGP_GetMaskID

Retrieves the AEGP_MaskIDVal for the given AEGP_MaskRefH, for use in uniquely identifying the mask.

AEGP_GetMaskID(
  AEGP_MaskRefH   mask_refH,
  AEGP_MaskIDVal  *id_valP);

AEGP_CreateNewMask

Creates a new mask on the referenced AEGP_LayerH, with zero nodes. The new mask’s index is returned.

AEGP_CreateNewMask(
  AEGP_LayerH    layerH,
  AEGP_MaskRefH  *mask_refPH,
  A_long         *mask_indexPL0);

AEGP_DeleteMaskFromLayer

AEGP_DeleteMaskFromLayer(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  mask_refH);

NOTE: As of 6.5, if you delete a mask and it or a child stream is selected, the current selection within the composition will become NULL.

AEGP_GetMaskColor

Retrieves the color of the specified mask.

AEGP_GetMaskColor(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  mask_refH,
  AEGP_ColorVal  *colorP);

AEGP_SetMaskColor

Sets the color of the specified mask.

AEGP_SetMaskColor(
  AEGP_MaskRefH        mask_refH,
  const AEGP_ColorVal  *colorP);

AEGP_GetMaskLockState

Retrieves the lock state of the specified mask.

AEGP_GetMaskLockState(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  mask_refH,
  A_Boolean      *is_lockedPB);

AEGP_SetMaskLockState

Sets the lock state of the specified mask.

AEGP_SetMaskLockState(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  mask_refH,
  A_Boolean      lockB);

AEGP_GetMaskIsRotoBezier

Returns whether or not the given mask is used as a rotobezier.

AEGP_GetMaskIsRotoBezier(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  mask_refH,
  A_Boolean      *is_roto_bezierPB);

AEGP_SetMaskIsRotoBezier

Sets whether a given mask is to be used as a rotobezier.

AEGP_SetMaskIsRotoBezier(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  mask_refH,
  A_Boolean      *is_roto_bezierPB);

AEGP_DuplicateMask

Duplicates a given AEGP_MaskRefH. Caller must dispose of duplicate.

AEGP_DuplicateMask(
  AEGP_MaskRefH  orig_mask_refH,
  AEGP_MaskRefH  *dupe_mask_refPH);

Mask Outlines

The Mask Suite above tells plug-ins about the masks on a layer, but not about the details of those masks.

This is because processing is required on After Effects’ part to access the information; the information isn’t just lying around.

Plug-ins access that information using this Mask Outline Suite.

AEGP_MaskOutlineSuite3

Function

Purpose

AEGP_IsMaskOutlineOpen

Given an mask outline pointer (obtainable through the Stream Suite), determines if the mask path is open or closed.

AEGP_IsMaskOutlineOpen(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineVal  *mask_outlineP,
  A_Boolean            *openPB);

AEGP_SetMaskOutlineOpen

Sets the open state of the given mask outline.

AEGP_SetMaskOutlineOpen(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH  mask_outlineH,
  A_Boolean             openB);

AEGP_GetMaskOutlineNumSegments

Given a mask outline pointer, returns the number of segments in the path. num_segmentsPL is the total number of segments [0...N-1].

AEGP_GetMaskOutlineNumSegments(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineVal  *mask_outlineP,
  A_long               *num_segmentsPL);

AEGP_GetMaskOutlineVertexInfo

Given a mask outline pointer and a point between 0 and the total number of segments. For closed mask paths, vertex[0] is the same as vertex[num_segments].

AEGP_GetMaskOutlineVertexInfo(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineVal  *mask_outlineP,
  A_long               which_pointL,
  AEGP_MaskVertex      *vertexP);

AEGP_SetMaskOutlineVertexInfo

Sets the vertex information for a given index. Setting vertex 0 is special; its in tangent will actually set the out tangent of the last vertex in the outline. Of course, which_pointL must be valid for the mask outline, or the function will return an error.

AEGP_SetMaskOutlineVertexInfo(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH  mask_outlineH,
  AEGP_VertexIndex      which_pointL,
  AEGP_MaskVertex       *vertexP);

AEGP_CreateVertex

Creates a vertex at index position. All vertices which formerly had an AEGP_VertexIndex of position or greater will have their indices incremented by one.

AEGP_CreateVertex(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH  mask_outlineH,
  AEGP_VertexIndex      position);.

NOTE: All masks must have at least one vertex.

AEGP_DeleteVertex

Removes a vertex from a mask.

AEGP_DeleteVertex(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH  mask_outlineH,
  AEGP_VertexIndex      index);

AEGP_GetMaskOutlineNumFeathers

New in CS6.

AEGP_DeleteVertex(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH  mask_outlineH,
  A_long                *num_feathersPL);

AEGP_GetMaskOutlineFeatherInfo

New in CS6.

AEGP_GetMaskOutlineFeatherInfo(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH  mask_outlineH,
  AEGP_FeatherIndex     which_featherL,
  AEGP_MaskFeather      *featherP);

AEGP_SetMaskOutlineFeatherInfo

New in CS6. Feather must already exist; use AEGP_CreateMaskOutlineFeather first, if needed.

AEGP_SetMaskOutlineFeatherInfo(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH    mask_outlineH,
  AEGP_VertexIndex        which_featherL,
  const AEGP_MaskFeather  *featherP);

AEGP_CreateMaskOutlineFeather

New in CS6. Index of new feather is passed back in insert_positionP.

AEGP_CreateMaskOutlineFeather(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH    mask_outlineH,
  const AEGP_MaskFeather  *featherP0,
  AEGP_FeatherIndex       *insert_positionP);

AEGP_DeleteMaskOutlineFeather

New in CS6.

AEGP_DeleteMaskOutlineFeather(
  AEGP_MaskOutlineValH  mask_outlineH,
  AEGP_FeatherIndex     index);

Mask Feathering

New for CS6, masks can be feathered.

AEGP_MaskFeather is defined as follows:

typedef struct {
  A_long                  segment;          // mask segment where feather is
  PF_FpLong               segment_sF;       // 0-1: feather location on segment
  PF_FpLong               radiusF;          // negative value allowed if type == AEGP_MaskFeatherType_INNER
  PF_FpShort              ui_corner_angleF; // 0-1: angle of UI handle on corners
  PF_FpShort              tensionF;         // 0-1: tension of boundary at feather pt
  AEGP_MaskFeatherInterp  interp;
  AEGP_MaskFeatherType    type;
} AEGP_MaskFeather;

AEGP_MaskFeatherInterp is either AEGP_MaskFeatherInterp_NORMAL or AEGP_MaskFeatherInterp_HOLD_CW.

AEGP_MaskFeatherType is either AEGP_MaskFeatherType_OUTER or AEGP_MaskFeatherType_INNER.

This suite enables AEGPs to get and set the text associated with text layers.

Note: to get started, retrieve an AEGP_TextDocumentH by calling AEGP_GetLayerStreamValue, above, and passing AEGP_StreamType_TEXT_DOCUMENT as the AEGP_StreamType.


Working With Text Layers

This suite enables AEGPs to get and set the text associated with text layers.

AEGP_TextDocumentSuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetNewText

Retrieves the UTF-16, NULL-terminated string used in the AEGP_TextDocumentH.

Note: After Effects will allocate the AEGP_MemHandle; your plug-in must dispose of it when done using AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetNewText(
  AEGP_PluginID       id,
  AEGP_TextDocumentH  text_docH,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *unicodePH);

AEGP_SetText

Specifies the text to be used by the AEGP_TextDocumentH.

AEGP_SetText(
  AEGP_TextDocumentH  text_docH,
  const A_u_short     *unicodePS,
  long                lengthL);

Working With Text Outlines

The AEGP_TextLayerSuite provides access to the actual outlines of the text used by text layers.

Once you have a path, you can manipulate it with PF_PathQuerySuite1 and PF_PathDataSuite.

AEGP_TextLayerSuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetNewTextOutlines

Allocates and returns a handle to the AEGP_TextOutlinesHs associated with the specified layer. outlinesPH will be NULL if there are no AEGP_TextOutlinesHs associated with layerH (in other words, if it’s not a text layer).

AEGP_GetNewTextOutlines(
  AEGP_LayerH         layerH,
  const A_Time        *layer_timePT,
  AEGP_TextOutlinesH  *outlinesPH);

AEGP_DisposeTextOutlines

Dispose of those outlines we allocated on your behalf!

AEGP_DisposeTextOutlines(
  AEGP_TextOutlinesH  outlinesH);

AEGP_GetNumTextOutlines

Retrieves the number of text outlines for the layer.

AEGP_GetNumTextOutlines(
  AEGP_TextOutlinesH  outlinesH,
  A_long              *num_otlnsPL);

AEGP_GetIndexedTextOutline

Returns a PF_PathOutlinePtr for the specifed text outline.

AEGP_GetIndexedTextOutline(
  AEGP_TextOutlinesH  outlinesH,
  A_long              path_indexL,
  PF_PathOutlinePtr   *pathPP);

Utility Functions

The Utility suite supplies error message handling, AEGP version checking and access to the undo stack.

Everything you need to keep After Effects and your plug-in tidy.


AEGP_UtilitySuite6

Function

Purpose

AEGP_ReportInfo

Displays dialog with name of the AEGP followed by the string passed.

AEGP_ReportInfo(
  AEGP_PluginID  aegp_plugin_id,
  const A_char   *info_stringZ);

AEGP_ReportInfoUnicode

New in CC. Displays dialog with name of the AEGP followed by the unicode string passed.

AEGP_ReportInfoUnicode(
  AEGP_PluginID      aegp_plugin_id,
  const A_UTF16Char  *info_stringP);

AEGP_GetDriverSpecVersion

Returns version of AEGPDriver plug-in (use to determine supported features).

AEGP_GetDriverSpecVersion(
  A_short  *major_versionPS,
  A_short  *minor_versionPS);

AEGP_StartQuietErrors

Silences errors. Must be balanced with AEGP_EndQuietErrors. The AEGP_ErrReportState is an opaque structure private to After Effects.

AEGP_StartQuietErrors(
  AEGP_ErrReportState  *err_stateP);

AEGP_EndQuietErrors

Re-enables errors.

AEGP_EndQuietErrors(
  AEGP_ErrReportState  *err_stateP)

AEGP_StartUndoGroup

Add action(s) to the undo queue. The user may undo any actions between this and AEGP_EndUndoGroup(). The undo_nameZ will appear in the edit menu.

AEGP_StartUndoGroup(
  const A_char  *undo_nameZ);

AEGP_EndUndoGroup

Ends the undo list.

AEGP_EndUndoGroup();

AEGP_RegisterWithAEGP

Returns an AEGP_PluginID, which effect plug-ins can then use in calls to many functions throughout the AEGP API. Effects should only call this function once, during PF_Cmd_GLOBAL_SETUP, and save the AEGP_PluginID for later use. The first parameter can be any value, and the second parameter should be the plug-in’s match name.

AEGP_RegisterWithAEGP(
  AEGP_GlobalRefcon  global_refcon,
  const A_char       *plugin_nameZ,
  AEGP_PluginID      *plugin_id);

AEGP_GetMainHWND

Retrieves After Effects’ HWND; useful when displaying your own dialog on Windows. If you don’t use After Effects’ HWND, your modal dialog will not prevent interaction with the windows behind, and pain will ensue.

AEGP_GetMainHWND(
  void  *main_hwnd);

AEGP_ShowHideAllFloaters

Toggles whether or not floating palettes are displayed.

Use this with care; users get twitchy when you unexpectedly change the UI on them.

AEGP_ShowHideAllFloaters(
  A_Boolean  include_tool_palB);

AEGP_PaintPalGetForeColor

Retrieves the foreground color from the paint palette.

AEGP_PaintPalGetForeColor(
  AEGP_ColorVal  *fore_colorP);

AEGP_PaintPalGetBackColor

Retrieves the background color from the paint palette.

AEGP_PaintPalGetBackColor(
  AEGP_ColorVal  *back_colorP);

AEGP_PaintPalSetForeColor

Sets the foreground color in the paint palette.

AEGP_PaintPalSetForeColor(
  const AEGP_ColorVal  *fore_colorP);

AEGP_PaintPalSetBackColor

Sets the background color in the paint palette.

AEGP_PaintPalSetBackColor(
  const AEGP_ColorVal  *back_colorP);

AEGP_CharPalGetFillColor

Retrieves the fill color from the character palette.

AEGP_CharPalGetFillColor(
  A_Boolean     *is_fcolor_definedPB,
  AEGP_ColorVal *fill_colorP);

AEGP_CharPalGetStrokeColor

Retrieves the stroke color from the character palette.

AEGP_CharPalGetStrokeColor(
  A_Boolean      *is_scolor_definedPB,
  AEGP_ColorVal  *stroke_colorP);

AEGP_CharPalSetFillColor

Sets the fill color in the character palette.

AEGP_CharPalSetFillColor(
  const AEGP_ColorVal  *fill_colorP);

AEGP_CharPalSetStrokeColor

Sets the stroke color in the character palette.

AEGP_CharPalSetStrokeColor(
  const AEGP_ColorVal  *stroke_colorP);

AEGP_CharPalIsFillColorUIFrontmost

Returns whether or not the fill color is frontmost. If it isn’t, the stroke color is frontmost.

AEGP_CharPalIsFillColorUIFrontmost(
  A_Boolean  *is_fcolor_selectedPB);

AEGP_ConvertFpLongToHSFRatio

Returns an A_Ratio interpretation of the given A_FpLong. Useful for horizontal scale factor interpretation.

AEGP_ConvertFpLongToHSFRatio(
  A_FpLong  numberF,
  A_Ratio   *ratioPR);

AEGP_ConvertHSFRatioToFpLong

Returns an A_FpLong interpretation of the given A_Ratio. Useful for horizontal scale factor interpretation.

AEGP_ConvertHSFRatioToFpLong(
  A_Ratio    ratioR,
  A_FpLong  *numberPF);

AEGP_CauseIdleRoutinesToBeCalled

This routine is safe to call from threads other than the main thread. It is asynchronous and will return before the idle handler is called.

The suite functions to get this function pointer are not thread safe; save it off in the main thread for use by the child thread.

AEGP_CauseIdleRoutinesToBeCalled(void);

AEGP_GetSuppressInteractiveUI

Returns whether After Effects is running without a user interface.

AEGP_GetSuppressInteractiveUI(
  A_Boolean  *ui_is_suppressedPB);

AEGP_WriteToOSConsole

Sends a string to the OS console.

AEGP_WriteToOSConsole(
  const A_char  *textZ);

AEGP_WriteToDebugLog

Writes a message to the debug log, or to the OS command line if After Effects was launched with the “-debug” option.

AEGP_WriteToDebugLog(
  const A_char  *subsystemZ,
  const A_char  *event_typeZ,
  const A_char  *infoZ);

AEGP_GetLastErrorMessage

Retrieves the last error message displayed to the user, and its associated error number. Pass in the size of the character buffer to be returned.

AEGP_GetLastErrorMessage(
  A_long  buffer_size,
  A_char  *error_string,
  A_Err   *error_num);

AEGP_IsScriptingAvailable

Returns TRUE if scripting is available to the plug-in.

AEGP_IsScriptingAvailable(
  A_Boolean  *outAvailablePB);

AEGP_ExecuteScript

Have After Effects execute a script. The script passed in can be in either UTF-8 or the current application encoding (if platform_encodingB is passed in as TRUE).

The two out arguments are optional. The value of the last line of the script is what is passed back in outResultPH0.

AEGP_ExecuteScript(
  AEGP_PluginID inPlugin_id,
  const A_char *inScriptZ,
  const A_Boolean platform_encodingB,
  AEGP_MemHandle *outResultPH0,
  AEGP_MemHandle *outErrStringPH0);

AEGP_HostIsActivated

Returns TRUE if the user has successfully activated After Effects.

AEGP_HostIsActivated(
  A_Boolean  *is_activatedPB);

AEGP_GetPluginPlatformRef

On macOS, returns a CFBundleRef to your Mach-O plug-in, or NULL for a CFM plug-in. Always returns NULL on Windows (you can use an OS-specific entry point to capture your DLLInstance).

AEGP_GetPluginPlatformRef(
  AEGP_PluginID  plug_id,
  void           **plat_refPPV);

AEGP_UpdateFontList

Rescans the system font list.

AEGP_UpdateFontList();

AEGP_GetPluginPaths

New in CC. Returns a particular path associated with the plug-in:

  • AEGP_GetPathTypes_PLUGIN - (Not Implemented) The path to the location of the plug-in itself.

  • AEGP_GetPathTypes_USER_PLUGIN -The suite specific location of user specific plug-ins.

  • AEGP_GetPathTypes_ALLUSER_PLUGIN - The suite specific location of plug-ins shared by all users.

  • AEGP_GetPathTypes_APP - The After Effects .exe or .app location. Not plug-in specific.

AEGP_GetPluginPaths(
  AEGP_PluginID      aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_GetPathTypes  path_type
  AEGP_MemHandle     *unicode_pathPH);

Persistent Data Suite

Plug-ins have read and write access to persistent data in After Effects’ preferences. AEGPs may add and manage their own persistent data using the following suite. The data entries are accessed by (section key, value key) pairs. It is recommended that plug-ins use their matchname as their section key, or as a prefix if using multiple section keys.

The available data types are A_long, A_FpLong, strings, and void*. A_FpLongs are stored with 6 decimal places of precision. There is no provision for specifying a different precision. String data supports the full 8-bit space. Only 0x00 is reserved for string ending. This makes them ideal for storing UTF-8 encoded strings, ISO 8859-1, and plain ASCII. Both section keys and value keys are of this type. For data types not represented by the simple data types provided, use data handles containing your custom data. void* unstructured data allows you to store any kind of data. You must pass in a size in bytes along with the data.

When calling any of the functions to retrieve the value of a key, if a given key is not found, the default value is both written to the blob and returned as the value; if no default is provided, a blank value will be written and returned.

Note that this data is stored in the application’s preferences, not in the project. As of 6.5, there is no way to store opaque AEGP-generated data in an After Effects project.

After Effects can handle plug-ins which change the preferences during their application; it checks the in-RAM copy of the prefs before acting upon pref-able settings, rather than relying on the saved prefs. It’s like we planned this, or something!

AEGP_PersistentDateSuite4

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetApplicationBlob

Obtains the handle to all persistent application data. Modifying this will modify the application.

The AEGP_PersistentType parameter is new in CC, and should be set to one of the following:

  • AEGP_PersistentType_MACHINE_SPECIFIC,

  • AEGP_PersistentType_MACHINE_INDEPENDENT,

  • AEGP_PersistentType_MACHINE_INDEPENDENT_RENDER,

  • AEGP_PersistentType_MACHINE_INDEPENDENT_OUTPUT,

  • AEGP_PersistentType_MACHINE_INDEPENDENT_COMPOSITION

  • AEGP_PersistentType_MACHINE_SPECIFIC_TEXT,

  • AEGP_PersistentType_MACHINE_SPECIFIC_PAINT

AEGP_GetApplicationBlob(
  AEGP_PersistentType   blob_type,
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  *blobPH);

AEGP_GetNumSections

Obtains the number of sections in the application blob.

AEGP_GetNumSections(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  A_long                *num_sectionPL);

AEGP_GetSectionKeyByIndex

Obtains the key at the given index.

AEGP_GetSectionKeyByIndex(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  A_long                section_index,
  A_long                max_section_size,
  A_char                *section_keyZ);

AEGP_DoesKeyExist

Returns whether or not a given key/value pair exists with the blob.

AEGP_DoesKeyExist(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  A_Boolean             *existsPB);

AEGP_GetNumKeys

Retrieves the number of value keys in the section.

AEGP_GetNumKeys(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  A_long                *num_keysPL);

AEGP_GetValueKeyByIndex

Retrieves the value of the indexed key.

AEGP_GetValueKeyByIndex(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  A_long                key_index,
  A_long                max_key_size,
  A_char                *value_keyZ);

Note

For the functions below, if a given key is not found, the default value is both written to the blob and returned as the value; if no default is provided, a blank value will be written and returned.

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetDataHandle

Obtains the value associated with the given section’s key. If using in-memory data structures, watch for endian issues.

AEGP_GetDataHandle(
  AEGP_PluginID         plugin_id,
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  AEGP_MemHandle        defaultH0,
  AEGP_MemHandle        *valuePH);

AEGP_GetData

Obtains the data located at a given section’s value.

AEGP_GetData(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  A_u_long              data_sizeLu,
  const void            *defaultPV0,
  void                  *bufPV);

AEGP_GetString

Obtains the string for a given section key’s value (and indicates its length in actual_szLu0).

AEGP_GetString(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  const A_char          *defaultZ0,
  A_u_long              buf_sizeLu,
  char                  *bufZ,
  A_u_long              *actual_szLu0);

AEGP_GetLong

Obtains the A_long associated with a given section key’s value.

AEGP_GetLong(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  A_long                defaultL,
  A_long                *valuePL);

AEGP_GetFpLong

Obtains the A_FpLong associated with a given section key’s value.

AEGP_GetFpLong(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  A_FpLong              defaultF,
  A_FpLong              *valuePF);

AEGP_GetTime

New in CC. Obtains the A_Time associated with a given section key’s value.

AEGP_GetTime(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  const A_Time          *defaultPT0,
  A_Time                *valuePT);

AEGP_GetARGB

New in CC. Obtains the PF_PixelFloat associated with a given section key’s value.

AEGP_GetARGB(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  const PF_PixelFloat   *defaultP0,
  PF_PixelFloat         *valueP);

AEGP_SetDataHandle

Sets the given section key’s value to the handle passed in.

AEGP_SetDataHandle(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  const AEGP_MemHandle  valueH);

AEGP_SetData

Sets the given section key’s value to the data contained in dataPV.

AEGP_SetData(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  A_u_long              data_sizeLu,
  const void            *dataPV);

AEGP_SetString

Sets the given section key’s string to strZ.

AEGP_SetString(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  const A_char          *strZ);

AEGP_SetLong

Sets the given section key’s value to valueL.

AEGP_SetLong(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  A_long                valueL);

AEGP_SetFpLong

Sets the given section key’s value to valueF.

AEGP_SetFpLong(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  A_FpLong              valueF);

AEGP_SetTime

New in CC. Sets the given section key’s value to valuePT.

AEGP_SetTime(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  A_Time                *valuePT);

AEGP_SetARGB

New in CC. Sets the given section key’s value to valueP.

AEGP_SetARGB(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ,
  PF_PixelFloat         *valueP);

AEGP_DeleteEntry

Removes the given section’s value from the blob.

AEGP_DeleteEntry(
  AEGP_PersistentBlobH  blobH,
  const A_char          *section_keyZ,
  const A_char          *value_keyZ);

AEGP_GetPrefsDirectory

Get the path to the folder containing After Effects’ preference file. The path is a handle to a NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char string, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetPrefsDirectory(
  AEGP_MemHandle  *unicode_pathPH);

Color Management

We’ve provided a function so AEGPs can obtain information on After Effects’ current color management settings.

AEGP_ColorSettingsSuite5

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetBlendingTables

Retrieves the current opaque PF_EffectBlendingTables, for use with AEGP_TransferRect.

AEGP_GetBlendingTables(
  PR_RenderContextH        render_contextH,
  PF_EffectBlendingTables  *blending_tables);

AEGP_DoesViewHaveColorSpaceXform

Returns whether there is a colorspace transform applied to the current item view.

AEGP_DoesViewHaveColorSpaceXform(
  AEGP_ItemViewP  viewP,
  A_Boolean       *has_xformPB);

AEGP_XformWorkingToViewColorSpace

Changes the view colorspace of the source to be the working colorspace of the destination. Source and destination can be the same.

AEGP_XformWorkingToViewColorSpace(
  AEGP_ItemViewP  viewP,
  AEGP_WorldH     srcH,
  AEGP_WorldH     dstH);

AEGP_GetNewWorkingSpaceColorProfile

Retrieves the opaque current working space ICC profile. Must be disposed. The “New” in the name does not indicate that you’re making up a new profile; rather, it’s part of our function naming standard; anything with “New” in the name allocates something which the caller must dispose.

AEGP_GetNewWorkingSpaceColorProfile(
  AEGP_PluginID   aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *icc_profPH);

AEGP_GetNewColorProfileFromICCProfile

Retrieves a new AEGP_ColorProfileP from After Effects, representing the specified ICC profile. The caller must dispose of the returned AEGP_ColorProfileP using AEGP_DisposeColorProfile().

AEGP_GetNewColorProfile FromICCProfile(
  AEGP_PluginID       aegp_plugin_id,
  A_long              icc_sizeL,
  const void          *icc_dataPV,
  AEGP_ColorProfileP  *profilePP);

AEGP_GetNewICCProfileFromColorProfile

Retrieves a new ICC profile (stored in an AEGP_MemHandle) representing the specified color profile. Returned AEGP_MemHandle must be disposed by the caller.

AEGP_GetNewICCProfile FromColorProfile(
  AEGP_PluginID            plugin_id,
  AEGP_ConstColorProfileP  profileP,
  AEGP_MemHandle           *profilePH);

AEGP_GetNewColorProfileDescription

Returns a textual description of the specified color profile. Text will be a null-terminated UTF16 string, which must be disposed by the caller.

AEGP_GetNewColorProfileDescription(
  AEGP_PluginID            aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_ConstColorProfileP  profileP,
  AEGP_MemHandle           *unicode_descPH);

AEGP_DisposeColorProfile

Disposes of a color profile, obtained using other functions in this suite.

AEGP_DisposeColorProfile(
  AEGP_ColorProfileP  profileP);

AEGP_GetColorProfileApproximateGamma

Returns a floating point number approximating the gamma setting used by the specified color profile.

AEGP_GetColorProfileApproximateGamma(
  AEGP_ConstColorProfileP  profileP,
  A_FpShort                *approx_gammaP);

AEGP_IsRGBColorProfile

Returns whether the specified color profile is RGB.

AEGP_IsRGBColorProfile(
  AEGP_ConstColorProfileP  profileP,
  A_Boolean                *is_rgbPB);

AEGP_SetWorkingColorSpace

Sets the working space to the passed color profile.

AEGP_SetWorkingColorSpace(
  AEGP_PluginID            aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_CompH               compH,
  AEGP_ConstColorProfileP  color_profileP);

AEGP_IsOCIOColorManagementUsed

Check if the current project is using the OCIO color engine or not. Returns true if current project uses OCIO color managed mode.

AEGP_IsOCIOColorManagementUsed(
  AEGP_PluginID  aegp_plugin_id,
  A_Boolean      *is_OCIOColorManagementUsedPB);

AEGP_GetOCIOConfigurationFile

Returns the OCIO configuration file used by the project.

Returned config_filePH is a handle of A_UTF16Char containing a null terminated UTF16String which holds the OCIO Configuration file. The returned string must be disposed by the caller.

AEGP_GetOCIOConfigurationFile(
  AEGP_PluginID   aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *congif_filePH);

AEGP_GetOCIOConfigurationFilePath

Returns the absolute file path to the OCIO configuration used by the project

The returned config_filePH is a handle of A_UTF16Char containing a null terminated UTF16String which holds the absolute path to OCIO Configuration file. The returned string must be disposed by the caller.

AEGP_GetOCIOConfigurationFilePath(
  AEGP_PluginID   aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *congif_filePH);

AEGPD_GetOCIOWorkingColorSpace

Returns the working color space of the project in OCIO mode.

The returned ocio_working_colorspaceH is a handle of A_UTF16Char containing a null terminated UTF16String which holds the string specifying the working color space. The returned string must be disposed by the caller.

AEGPD_GetOCIOWorkingColorSpace(
  AEGP_PluginID   aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *ocio_working_colorspaceH);

AEGPD_GetOCIODisplayColorSpace

Returns the Display and View transforms used by the project.

The returned ocio_displayH and ocio_viewH are handles of A_UTF16Char containing a null terminated UTF16String specifying the Display and View transforms used at project level. The returned strings must be disposed by the caller.

AEGPD_GetOCIODisplayColorSpace(
  AEGP_PluginID   aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *ocio_displayH,
  AEGP_MemHandle  *ocio_viewH);

Render Suites

Since we introduced the AEGP API, we’ve been asked to provide functions for retrieving rendered frames.

These function suites allows you to do just that.

First, specify what you want rendered in the AEGP_RenderOptionsSuite4 or AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsSuite1.

Then do the rendering with AEGP_RenderSuite4.

AEGP_RenderOptionsSuite4

Function

Purpose

AEGP_NewFromItem

Returns the AEGP_RenderOptionsH associated with a given AEGP_ItemH. If there are no options yet specified, After Effects passes back an AEGP_RenderOptionsH with render time set to 0, time step set to the current frame duration, field render set to PF_Field_FRAME, and the depth set to the highest resolution specified within the item.

AEGP_NewFromItem(
  AEGP_PluginID        plugin_id,
  AEGP_ItemH           itemH,
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  *optionsPH);

AEGP_Duplicate

Duplicates an AEGP_RenderOptionsH into copyPH.

AEGP_Duplicate(
  AEGP_PluginID        plugin_id,
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  *copyPH);

AEGP_Dispose

Deletes an AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_Dispose(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH);

AEGP_SetTime

Sets the render time of an AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetTime(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Time               time);

AEGP_GetTime

Retrieves the render time of the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetTime(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Time               *timeP);

AEGP_SetTimeStep

Specifies the time step (duration of a frame) for the referenced AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetTimeStep(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Time               time_step);

AEGP_GetTimeStep

Retrieves the time step (duration of a frame) for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetTimeStep(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Time               *timePT);

AEGP_SetFieldRender

Specifies the field settings for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetFieldRender(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  PF_Field             field_render);

AEGP_GetFieldRender

Retrieves the field settings for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetFieldRender(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  PF_Field             *field_renderP);

AEGP_SetWorldType

Specifies the AEGP_WorldType of the output of a given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetWorldType(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_WorldType       type);

AEGP_WorldType will be either AEGP_WorldType_8 or AEGP_WorldType_16

AEGP_GetWorldType

Retrieves the AEGP_WorldType of the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetWorldType(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_WorldType       *typeP);

AEGP_SetDownsampleFactor

Specifies the downsample factor (with independent horizontal and vertical settings) for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetDownsampleFactor(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_short              x,
  A_short              y);

AEGP_GetDownsampleFactor

Retrieves the downsample factor for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetDownsampleFactor(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_short              *xP,
  A_short              *yP);

AEGP_SetRegionOfInterest

Specifies the region of interest sub-rectangle for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetRegionOfInterest(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  const A_LRect        *roiP)

AEGP_GetRegionOfInterest

Retrieves the region of interest sub-rectangle for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetRegionOfInterest(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_LRect              *roiP);

AEGP_SetMatteMode

Specifies the AEGP_MatteMode for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetMatteMode(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_MatteMode       mode);

AEGP_MatteMode will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_MatteMode_STRAIGHT

  • AEGP_MatteMode_PREMUL_BLACK

  • AEGP_MatteMode_PREMUL_BG_COLOR

AEGP_GetMatteMode

Retrieves the AEGP_MatteMode for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetMatteMode(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_MatteMode       *modeP);

AEGP_GetChannelOrder

Gets the AEGP_ChannelOrder for the given AEGP_RenderOptionsH. AEGP_ChannelOrder will be either AEGP_ChannelOrder_ARGB or AEGP_ChannelOrder_BGRA.

AEGP_GetChannelOrder(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_ChannelOrder    *orderP);

Factoid: this was added to facilitate live linking with Premiere Pro.

AEGP_SetChannelOrder

Sets the AEGP_ChannelOrder of the AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetChannelOrder(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_ChannelOrder    order);

AEGP_GetRenderGuideLayers

Passes back a boolean that is true if the render guide layers setting is on.

AEGP_GetRenderGuideLayers)(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Boolean            *will_renderPB);

AEGP_SetRenderGuideLayers

Specify whether or not to render guide layers.

AEGP_SetRenderGuideLayers)(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Boolean            render_themB);

AEGP_GetRenderQuality

Get the render quality of the render queue item. Quality can be either AEGP_ItemQuality_DRAFT or AEGP_ItemQuality_BEST.

AEGP_GetRenderQuality)(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_ItemQuality     *qualityP);

AEGP_SetRenderQuality

Set the render quality of the render queue item.

AEGP_GetRenderQuality)(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_ItemQuality     quality);

AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsSuite1

Note

New in 13.0

Function

Purpose

AEGP_NewFromLayer

Returns the AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH associated with a given AEGP_LayerH. Render time is set to the layer’s current time, time step is set to layer’s frame duration, ROI to the layer’s nominal bounds, and EffectsToRender to “all”. optionsPH must be disposed by calling code.

AEGP_NewFromLayer(
  AEGP_PluginID             plugin_id,
  AEGP_LayerH               layerH,
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  *optionsPH);

AEGP_NewFromUpstreamOfEffect

Returns the AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH from the layer associated with a given AEGP_EffectRefH. Render time is set to the layer’s current time, time step is set to layer’s frame duration, ROI to the layer’s nominal bounds, and EffectsToRender to the index of effectH. optionsPH must be disposed by calling code.

AEGP_NewFromUpstreamOfEffect(
  AEGP_PluginID             plugin_id,
  AEGP_EffectRefH           effectH,
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  *optionsPH);

AEGP_Duplicate

Duplicates an AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH into copyPH.

AEGP_Duplicate(
  AEGP_PluginID             plugin_id,
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  *copyPH);

AEGP_Dispose

Deletes an AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_Dispose(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH);

AEGP_SetTime

Sets the render time of an AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetTime(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Time                    time);

AEGP_GetTime

Retrieves the render time of the given AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetTime(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Time                    *timeP);

AEGP_SetTimeStep

Specifies the time step (duration of a frame) for the referenced AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetTimeStep(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Time                    time_step);

AEGP_GetTimeStep

Retrieves the time step (duration of a frame) for the given AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetTimeStep(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_Time                    *timePT);

AEGP_SetWorldType

Specifies the AEGP_WorldType of the output of a given AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetWorldType(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_WorldType            type);

AEGP_WorldType will be either AEGP_WorldType_8 or AEGP_WorldType_16

AEGP_GetWorldType

Retrieves the AEGP_WorldType of the given AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetWorldType(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_WorldType            *typeP);

AEGP_SetDownsampleFactor

Specifies the downsample factor (with independent horizontal and vertical settings) for the given AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetDownsampleFactor(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_short                   x,
  A_short                   y);

AEGP_GetDownsampleFactor

Retrieves the downsample factor for the given AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetDownsampleFactor(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  A_short                   *xP,
  A_short                   *yP);

AEGP_SetMatteMode

Specifies the AEGP_MatteMode for the given AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_SetMatteMode(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_MatteMode            mode);

AEGP_MatteMode will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_MatteMode_STRAIGHT

  • AEGP_MatteMode_PREMUL_BLACK

  • AEGP_MatteMode_PREMUL_BG_COLOR

AEGP_GetMatteMode

Retrieves the AEGP_MatteMode for the given AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH.

AEGP_GetMatteMode(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH  optionsH,
  AEGP_MatteMode            *modeP);

AEGP_RenderSuite4

Function

Purpose

AEGP_RenderAndCheckoutFrame

Retrieves an AEGP_FrameReceiptH (not the actual pixels) for the frame requested. Check in this receipt using AEGP_CheckinFrame to release memory.

Create the AEGP_RenderOptionsH using the AEGP_RenderOptionsSuite4.

Optionally, the AEGP can pass a function to be called by After Effects if the user cancels the current render, as well as a refcon (constant reference to opaque data) for use during that function.

AEGP_RenderAndCheckoutFrame(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH             optionsH,
  AEGP_RenderSuiteCheckForCancel  cancel_functionP0,
  AEGP_CancelRefcon               cancel_function_refconP0,
  AEGP_FrameReceiptH              *receiptPH);

AEGP_RenderAndCheckoutLayerFrame

New in CC 2014. This allows frame checkout of a layer with effects applied at non-render time. This is useful for an operation that requires the frame, for example, when a button is clicked and it is acceptable to wait for a moment while it is rendering.

Note: Since it is not asynchronous, it will not solve the general problem where custom UI needs to draw based on the frame.

Retrieves an AEGP_FrameReceiptH (not the actual pixels) for the layer frame requested. Check in this receipt using AEGP_CheckinFrame to release memory.

Create the AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH using AEGP_NewFromUpstreamOfEffect(), in AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsSuite1.

You can actually use AEGP_NewFromLayer() to get other layer param’s layers with their effects applied. However, be careful. If you do it in your effect A, and there’s an effect B on the other layer that does the same thing during rendering, you’d create an infinite loop. If you’re not doing it for render purposes then it could be okay.

Optionally, the AEGP can pass a function to be called by After Effects if the user cancels the current render, as well as a refcon (constant reference to opaque data) for use during that function.

AEGP_RenderAndCheckoutLayerFrame(
  AEGP_LayerRenderOptionsH        optionsH,
  A_Boolean                       render_plain_layer_frameB,
  AEGP_RenderSuiteCheckForCancel  cancel_functionP0,
  AEGP_CancelRefcon               cancel_function_refconP0,
  AEGP_FrameReceiptH              *receiptPH);

AEGP_CheckinFrame

Call this function as soon as your AEGP is done accessing the frame. After Effects makes caching decisions based on which frames are checked out, so don’t hog them!

AEGP_CheckinFrame(
  AEGP_FrameReceiptH  receiptH);

AEGP_GetReceiptWorld

Retrieves the pixels (AEGP_WorldH) associated with the referenced AEGP_FrameReceiptH.

AEGP_GetReceiptWorld(
  AEGP_FrameReceiptH  receiptH,
  AEGP_WorldH         *worldPH);

AEGP_GetRenderedRegion

Retrieves an A_LRect containing the region of the AEGP_FrameReceiptH's AEGP_WorldH that has already been rendered. Remember that it’s possible for only those portions of an image that have been changed to be rendered, so it’s important to be able to check whether or not that includes the portion you need.

AEGP_GetRenderedRegion(
  AEGP_FrameReceiptH  receiptH,
  A_LRect             *regionP);

AEGP_IsRenderedFrameSufficient

Given two sets of AEGP_RenderOptionsH, After Effects will return TRUE if the already-rendered pixels are still valid for the proposed AEGP_RenderOptionsH.

AEGP_IsRenderedFrameSufficient(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  rendered_optionsH,
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH  proposed_optionsH,
  A_Boolean            *is_sufficientPB);

AEGP_RenderNewItemSoundData

Obtains an AEGP_ItemH's audio at the given time, of the given duration, in the given format. The plug-in must dispose of the returned AEGP_SoundDataH (which may be NULL if no audio is available).

AEGP_RenderNewItemSoundData(
  AEGP_ItemH                  itemH,
  const A_Time                *start_timePT,
  const A_Time                *durationPT,
  const AEGP_SoundDataFormat  *formatP,
  AEGP_SoundDataH             *new_dataPH);

NOTE: This function, if called as part of AEGP_ItemSuite2, provides a render interruptible using mouse clicks, unlike the version published here in AEGP_RenderSuite.

AEGP_GetCurrentTimestamp

Retrieves the current AEGP_TimeStamp of the project. The AEGP_TimeStamp is updated whenever an item is touched in a way that affects rendering.

AEGP_GetCurrentTimestamp(
  AEGP_TimeStamp  *time_stampP);

AEGP_HasItemChangedSinceTimestamp

Returns whether the video of an AEGP_ItemH has changed since the given AEGP_TimeStamp.

Note: this does not track changes in audio.

AEGP_HasItemChangedSinceTimestamp(
  AEGP_ItemH            itemH,
  const A_Time          *start_timeP,
  const A_Time          *durationP,
  const AEGP_TimeStamp  *time_stampP,
  A_Boolean             *changedPB);

AEGP_IsItemWorthwhileToRender

Returns whether this frame would be worth rendering externally and checking in to the cache. A speculative renderer should check this twice: before sending the frame out to render and when it is complete, before calling AEGP_NewPlatformWorld() and checking in.

This function is to be used with AEGP_HasItemChangedSinceTimestamp(), not alone.

AEGP_IsItemWorthwhileToRender(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH   roH,
  const AEGP_TimeStamp  *time_stampP,
  A_Boolean             *worthwhilePB);

AEGP_CheckinRenderedFrame

Provide a rendered frame (AEGP_PlatformWorldH) to After Effects, which adopts it. ticksL is the approximate time required to render the frame.

AEGP_CheckinRenderedFrame(
  AEGP_RenderOptionsH    roH,
  const AEGP_TimeStamp*  time_stampP,
  A_u_long               ticksL,
  AEGP_PlatformWorldH    imageH);

AEGP_GetReceiptGuid

New in CS6. Retrieve a GUID for a rendered frame. The memory handle passed back must be disposed.

AEGP_GetReceiptGuid(
  AEGP_FrameReceiptH  receiptH,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *guidMH)

The AEGP_World As We Know It

AEGP_Worlds are the common format used throughout the AEGP APIs to describe frames of pixels.

AEGP_WorldSuite3

Function

Purpose

AEGP_New

Returns an allocated, initialized AEGP_WorldH.

AEGP_New(
  AEGP_PluginID   plugin_id,
  AEGP_WorldType  type,
  A_long          widthL,
  A_long          heightL,
  AEGP_WorldH     *worldPH);

AEGP_Dispose

Disposes of an AEGP_WorldH. Use this on every world you allocate.

AEGP_Dispose(
  AEGP_WorldH  worldH);

AEGP_GetType

Returns the type of a given AEGP_WorldH.

AEGP_GetType(
  AEGP_WorldH worldH,
  AEGP_WorldType **typeP);

AEGP_WorldType will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_WorldType_8,

  • AEGP_WorldType_16,

  • AEGP_WorldType_32

AEGP_GetSize

Returns the width and height of the given AEGP_WorldH.

AEGP_GetSize(
  AEGP_WorldH  worldH,
  A_long       *widthPL,
  A_long       *heightPL);

AEGP_GetRowBytes

Returns the rowbytes for the given AEGP_WorldH.

AEGP_GetRowBytes(
  AEGP_WorldH  worldH,
  A_u_long     *row_bytesPL);

AEGP_GetBaseAddr8

Returns the base address of the AEGP_WorldH for use in pixel iteration functions. Will return an error if used on a non-8bpc world.

AEGP_GetBaseAddr8(
  AEGP_WorldH  worldH,
  PF_Pixel8    **base_addrP);

AEGP_GetBaseAddr16

Returns the base address of the AEGP_WorldH for use in pixel iteration functions. Will return an error if used on a non-16bpc world.

AEGP_GetBaseAddr16(
  AEGP_WorldH  worldH,
  PF_Pixel16   **base_addrP);

AEGP_GetBaseAddr32

Returns the base address of the AEGP_WorldH for use in pixel iteration functions. Will return an error if used on a non-32bpc world.

AEGP_GetBaseAddr32(
  AEGP_WorldH    worldH,
  PF_PixelFloat  **base_addrP);

AEGP_FillOutPFEffectWorld

Populates and returns a PF_EffectWorld representing the given AEGP_WorldH, for use with numerous pixel processing callbacks.

NOTE: This does not give your plug-in ownership of the world referenced; destroy the source AEGP_WorldH only if you allocated it. It just fills out the provided PF_EffectWorld to point to the same pixel buffer.

AEGP_FillOutPFEffectWorld(
  AEGP_WorldH     worldH,
  PF_EffectWorld  *pf_worldP);

AEGP_FastBlur

Performs a fast blur on a given AEGP_WorldH.

AEGP_FastBlur(
  A_FpLong      radiusF,
  PF_ModeFlags  mode,
  PF_Quality    quality,
  AEGP_WorldH   worldH);

AEGP_NewPlatformWorld

Creates a new AEGP_PlatformWorldH (a pixel world native to the execution platform).

AEGP_NewPlatformWorld(
  AEGP_PluginID        plugin_id,
  AEGP_WorldType       type,
  A_long               widthL,
  A_long               heightL,
  AEGP_PlatformWorldH  *worldPH);

AEGP_DisposePlatformWorld

Disposes of an AEGP_PlatformWorldH.

AEGP_DisposePlatformWorld(
  AEGP_PlatformWorldH  worldH);

AEGP_NewReferenceFromPlatformWorld

Retrieves an AEGP_WorldH referring to the given AEGP_PlatformWorldH.

NOTE: This doesn’t allocate a new world, it simply provides a reference to an existing one.

AEGP_NewReferenceFromPlatformWorld(
  AEGP_PluginID        plugin_id,
  AEGP_PlatformWorldH  plat_worldH,
  AEGP_WorldH          *worldPH);

Track Mattes and Transform Functions

Use the AEGP_CompositeSuite to copy pixel worlds, operate on track mattes, and apply transfer functions.

AEGP_CompositeSuite2

Function

Purpose

AEGP_ClearAlphaExceptRect

For the given PF_EffectWorld, sets the alpha to fully transparent except for the specified rectangle.

AEGP_ClearAlphaExceptRect(
  A_Rect          *clipped_dst_rectPR,
  PF_EffectWorld  *dstP);

AEGP_PrepTrackMatte

Mattes the pixels in a PF_EffectWorld with the PF_Pixel described in src_masks, putting the output into an array of pixels dst_mask.

NOTE: Unlike most of the other pixel mangling functions provided by After Effects, this one doesn’t take PF_EffectWorld arguments; rather, you can simply pass the data pointer from within the PF_EffectWorld. This can be confusing, but as a bonus, the function pads output appropriately so that num_pix pixels are always output.

AEGP_PrepTrackMatte(
  A_long          num_pix,
  A_Boolean       deepB,
  const PF_Pixel  *src_mask,
  PF_MaskFlags    mask_flags,
  PF_Pixel        *dst_mask);

AEGP_TransferRect

Blends two PF_EffectWorlds using a transfer mode, with an optional mask. Pass NULL for the blend_tablesP0 parameter to perform blending in the current working color space.

AEGP_TransferRect(
  PF_Quality               quality,
  PF_ModeFlags             m_flags,
  PF_Field                 field,
  const A_Rect             *src_rec,
  const PF_EffectWorld     *src_world,
  const PF_CompositeMode   *comp_mode,
  PF_EffectBlendingTables  blend_tablesP0,
  const PF_MaskWorld       *mask_world0,
  A_long                   dest_x,
  A_long                   dest_y,
  PF_EffectWorld           *dst_world);

AEGP_CopyBits_LQ

Copies a rectangle of pixels (pass a NULL rectangle to get all pixels) from one PF_EffectWorld to another, at low quality.

AEGP_CopyBits_LQ(
  PF_EffectWorld  *src_worldP,
  A_Rect          *src_r,
  A_Rect          *dst_r,
  PF_EffectWorld  *dst_worldP);

AEGP_CopyBits_HQ_Straight

Copies a rectangle of pixels (pass a NULL rectangle to get all pixels) from one PF_EffectWorld to another, at high quality, with a straight alpha channel.

AEGP_CopyBits_HQ_Straight(
  PF_EffectWorld  *src,
  A_Rect          *src_r,
  A_Rect          *dst_r,
  PF_EffectWorld  *dst);

AEGP_CopyBits_HQ_Premul

Copies a rectangle of pixels (pass a NULL rectangle to get all pixels) from one PF_EffectWorld to another, at high quality, premultiplying the alpha channel.

AEGP_CopyBits_HQ_Premul(
  PF_EffectWorld  *src,
  A_Rect          *src_r,
  A_Rect          *dst_r,
  PF_EffectWorld  *dst);

Work With Audio

AEGP_SoundDataSuite allows AEGPs to obtain and manipulate the audio associated with compositions and footage items.

Audio-only items may be added to the render queue using AEGP_RenderNewItemSoundData().

AEGP_SoundDateSuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_NewSoundData

Creates a new AEGP_SoundDataH, of which the plug-in must dispose.

AEGP_NewSoundData(
  const AEGP_SoundDataFormat  *formatP,
  AEGP_SoundDataH             *new_dataPH);

AEGP_DisposeSoundData

Frees an AEGP_SoundDataH.

AEGP_DisposeSoundData(
  AEGP_SoundDataH  sound_dataH);

AEGP_GetSoundDataFormat

Obtains information about the format of a given AEGP_SoundDataH.

AEGP_GetSoundDataFormat(
  AEGP_SoundDataH       soundH,
  AEGP_SoundDataFormat  *formatP);

AEGP_LockSoundDataSamples

Locks the AEGP_SoundDataH in memory.

AEGP_LockSoundDataSamples(
  AEGP_SoundDataH  soundH,
  void             **samples);

AEGP_UnlockSoundDataSamples

Unlocks an AEGP_SoundDataH.

AEGP_UnlockSoundDataSamples(
  AEGP_SoundDataH  soundH);

AEGP_GetNumSamples

Obtains the number of samples in the given AEGP_SoundDataH.

AEGP_GetNumSamples(
  AEGP_SoundDataH  soundH,
  A_long           *numsamplesPL);

Audio Settings

Audio render settings are represented using the AEGP_SoundDataFormat.

struct AEGP_SoundDataFormat {
  A_FpLong            sample_rateF;
  AEGP_SoundEncoding  encoding;
  A_long              bytes_per_sampleL;
  A_long              num_channelsL; // 1 for mono, 2 for stereo
} AEGP_SoundDataFormat;

bytes_per_sampleL is always either 1, 2, or 4, and is ignored if float encoding is specified.

AEGP_SoundEncoding is one of the following:

  • AEGP_SoundEncoding_UNSIGNED_PCM

  • AEGP_SoundEncoding_SIGNED_PCM

  • AEGP_SoundEncoding_FLOAT


Render Queue Suite

This suite allows AEGPs to add items the to render queue (using default options), and control the basic state of the render queue.

AEGP_RenderQueueSuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_AddCompToRenderQueue

Adds a composition to the render queue, using default options.

AEGP_AddCompToRenderQueue(
  AEGP_CompH     compH,
  const A_char*  pathZ);

AEGP_SetRenderQueueState

Sets the render queue to one of three valid states. It is not possible to go from stopped to paused.

AEGP_SetRenderQueueState(
  AEGP_RenderQueueState  state);
  • AEGP_RenderQueueState_STOPPED

  • AEGP_RenderQueueState_PAUSED

  • AEGP_RenderQueueState_RENDERING

AEGP_GetRenderQueueState

Obtains the current render queue state.

AEGP_GetRenderQueueState(
  AEGP_RenderQueueState  *stateP);

Render Queue Item Suite

Manipulate all aspects of render queue items using this suite.

AEGP_RQItemSuite4

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetNumRQItems

Returns the number of items currently in the render queue.

AEGP_GetNumRQItems(
  A_long  *num_itemsPL);

AEGP_GetRQItemByIndex

Returns an AEGP_RQItemRefH referencing the index’d item.

AEGP_GetRQItemByIndex(
  A_long           rq_item_index,
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  *rq_item_refPH);

AEGP_GetNextRQItem

Returns the next AEGP_RQItemRefH, for iteration purposes. To get the first AEGP_RQItemRefH, pass RQ_ITEM_INDEX_NONE for the current_rq_itemH.

AEGP_GetNextRQItem(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  current_rq_itemH,
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  *next_rq_itemPH);

AEGP_GetNumOutputModulesForRQItem

Returns the number of output modules applied to the given AEGP_RQItemRefH.

AEGP_GetNumOutputModulesForRQItem(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  A_long           *num_outmodsPL);

AEGP_GetRenderState

Returns TRUE if the AEGP_RQItemRefH is set to render (once the user clicks the Render button).

AEGP_GetRenderState(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  A_Boolean        *will_renderPB);

AEGP_SetRenderState

Controls whether or not the AEGP_RQItemRefH will render when the user next clicks the Render button. Returns an error if called during rendering.

This function will return:

  • Err_PARAMETER if you try to call while AEGP_RenderQueueState isn’t AEGP_RenderQueueState_STOPPED,

  • Err_RANGE if you pass a status that is illegal in any case, and

  • Err_PARAMETER if you try to pass a status that doesn’t make sense (like trying to queue something for which there’s no output path)

AEGP_SetRenderState(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  A_Boolean        renderB);

AEGP_GetStartedTime

Returns the time (in seconds, since 1904) that rendering began.

AEGP_GetStartedTime(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  A_Time           *started_timePT);

AEGP_GetElapsedTime

Returns the time elapsed since rendering began.

AEGP_GetElapsedTime(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  A_Time           *render_timePT);

AEGP_GetLogType

Returns the log type for the referenced AEGP_RQItemRefH.

AEGP_GetLogType(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  AEGP_LogType     *logtypeP);

AEGP_LogtType will have one of the following values:

  • AEGP_LogType_NONE

  • AEGP_LogType_ERRORS_ONLY

  • AEGP_LogType_PLUS_SETTINGS

  • AEGP_LogType_PER_FRAME_INFO

AEGP_SetLogType

Specifies the log type to be used with the referenced AEGP_RQItemRefH.

AEGP_SetLogType(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  AEGP_LogType     logtype);

AEGP_RemoveOutputModule

Removes the specified output module from the referenced AEGP_RQItemRefH.

AEGP_RemoveOutputModule(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH);

AEGP_GetComment

Updated to support Unicode in RQItemSuite4, available in 14.1. Retrieves the comment associated with the referenced AEGP_RQItemRefH.

AEGP_GetComment(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  AEGP_MemHandle   *unicodeH);

AEGP_SetComment

Updated to support Unicode in RQItemSuite4, available in 14.1. Specifies the comment associated with the referenced AEGP_RQItemRefH.

AEGP_SetComment(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH    rq_itemH,
  const A_UTF16Char  *commentZ);

AEGP_GetCompFromRQItem

Retrieves the AEGP_CompH associated with the AEGP_RQItemRefH.

AEGP_GetCompFromRQItem(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH,
  AEGP_CompH       *compPH);

AEGP_DeleteRQItem

Deletes the render queue item. Undoable.

AEGP_DeleteRQItem(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH  rq_itemH);

Render Queue Monitor Suite

New in CS6. This suite provides all the info a render queue manager needs to figure out what is happening at any point in a render.

AEGP_RenderQueueMonitorSuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_RegisterListener

Register a set of plug-in-defined functions to be called by the render queue. Use the refcon to pass in data that you want to use later on when your plug-in-defined functions in AEGP_RQM_FunctionBlock1 are called later. It may be set it to NULL if you don’t need it.

AEGP_RegisterListener(
  AEGP_PluginID                  aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_RQM_Refcon                aegp_refconP,
  const AEGP_RQM_FunctionBlock1  *fcn_blockP);

The AEGP_RQM_FunctionBlock1 is defined as follows:

struct _AEGP_RQM_FunctionBlock1 {
  A_Err (*AEGP_RQM_RenderJobStarted)(
    AEGP_RQM_BasicData  *basic_dataP,
    AEGP_RQM_SessionId  jobid);

  A_Err (*AEGP_RQM_RenderJobEnded)(
    AEGP_RQM_BasicData  *basic_dataP,
    AEGP_RQM_SessionId  jobid);

  A_Err (*AEGP_RQM_RenderJobItemStarted)(
    AEGP_RQM_BasicData  *basic_dataP,
    AEGP_RQM_SessionId  jobid,
    AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid);

  A_Err (*AEGP_RQM_RenderJobItemUpdated)(
    AEGP_RQM_BasicData  *basic_dataP,
    AEGP_RQM_SessionId  jobid,
    AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
    AEGP_RQM_FrameId    frameid);

  A_Err (*AEGP_RQM_RenderJobItemEnded)(
    AEGP_RQM_BasicData       *basic_dataP,
    AEGP_RQM_SessionId       jobid,
    AEGP_RQM_ItemId          itemid,
    AEGP_RQM_FinishedStatus  fstatus);

  A_Err (*AEGP_RQM_RenderJobItemReportLog)(
    AEGP_RQM_BasicData  *basic_dataP,
    AEGP_RQM_SessionId  jobid,
    AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
    A_Boolean           isError,
    AEGP_MemHandle      logbuf);
} AEGP_RQM_FunctionBlock1;

AEGP_RQM_FinishedStatus will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_RQM_FinishedStatus_UNKNOWN,

  • AEGP_RQM_FinishedStatus_SUCCEEDED,

  • AEGP_RQM_FinishedStatus_ABORTED,

  • AEGP_RQM_FinishedStatus_ERRED

The AEGP_RQM_BasicData is defined below.

struct _AEGP_RQM_BasicData {
  const struct SPBasicSuite *pica_basicP;
  A_long                    aegp_plug_id;
  AEGP_RQM_Refcon           aegp_refconPV;
} AEGP_RQM_BasicData;

AEGP_DeregisterListener

Deregister from the render queue.

AEGP_DeregisterListener(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  AEGP_RQM_Refcon  aegp_refconP);

AEGP_GetProjectName

Obtain the current project name. The project name is a handle to a NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char string, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetProjectName(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_project_namePH0);

AEGP_GetAppVersion

Obtain the app version. The app version is a handle to a NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char string, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetAppVersion(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_app_versionPH0);

AEGP_GetNumJobItems

Obtain the number of job items.

AEGP_GetNumJobItems(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  A_long              *num_jobitemsPL);

AEGP_GetJobItemID

Get the job with the index specified.

AEGP_GetJobItemID(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  A_long              jobItemIndex,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     *jobItemID);

AEGP_GetNumJobItemRenderSettings

Get the number of render settings for the job with the index specified.

AEGP_GetNumJobItemRenderSettings(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              *num_settingsPL);

AEGP_GetJobItemRenderSetting

Get a specific render setting of a specific job. The setting name and value are handles to NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char strings, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetJobItemRenderSetting(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              settingIndex,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_setting_namePH0,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_setting_valuePH0);

AEGP_GetNumJobItemOutputModules

Get the number of output modules for the job with the index specified.

AEGP_GetNumJobItemOutputModules(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              *num_outputmodulesPL);

AEGP_GetNumJobItemOutputModuleSettings

Get the number of settings for the output module with the index specified.

AEGP_GetNumJobItemOutputModuleSettings(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              outputModuleIndex,
  A_long              *num_settingsPL);

AEGP_GetJobItemOutputModuleSetting

Get a specific setting of a job item output module. The setting name and value are handles to NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char strings, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetJobItemOutputModuleSetting(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              outputModuleIndex,
  A_long              settingIndex,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_setting_namePH0,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_setting_valuePH0);

AEGP_GetNumJobItemOutputModuleWarnings

Get the number of output module warnings for a job item.

AEGP_GetNumJobItemOutputModuleWarnings(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              outputModuleIndex,
  A_long              *num_warningsPL);

AEGP_GetJobItemOutputModuleWarning

Get a specific warning of a specific output module for a specific job item. The warning value is a handle to NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char string, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetJobItemOutputModuleWarning(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              outputModuleIndex,
  A_long              warningIndex,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_warning_valuePH0);

AEGP_GetNumJobItemFrameProperties

Get the number of properties for a job item frame.

AEGP_GetNumJobItemFrameProperties(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  AEGP_RQM_FrameId    frameid,
  A_long              *num_propertiesPL);

AEGP_GetJobItemFrameProperty

Get a specific property on a job item frame. The property name and values are handle to NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char strings, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetJobItemFrameProperty(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  AEGP_RQM_FrameId    frameid,
  A_long              propertyIndex,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_property_namePH0,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_property_valuePH0);

AEGP_GetNumJobItemOutputModuleProperties

Get the number of properties for a job item output module.

AEGP_GetNumJobItemOutputModuleProperties(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              outputModuleIndex,
  A_long              *num_propertiesPL);

AEGP_GetJobItemOutputModuleProperty

Get a specific property off a job item output module. The property name and values are handle to NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char strings, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetJobItemOutputModuleProperty(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  A_long              outputModuleIndex,
  A_long              propertyIndex,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_property_namePH0,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *utf_property_valuePH0);

AEGP_GetJobItemFrameThumbnail

Get a buffer with a JPEG-encoded thumbnail of the job item frame. Pass in the maximum width and height, and the actual dimensions will be passed back.

AEGP_GetJobItemFrameThumbnail(
  AEGP_RQM_SessionId  sessid,
  AEGP_RQM_ItemId     itemid,
  AEGP_RQM_FrameId    frameid,
  A_long              *widthPL,
  A_long              *heightPL,
  AEGP_MemHandle      *thumbnailPH0);

Output Module Suite

Every item in the render queue has at least one output module specified.

Use this suite to query and control all aspects of the output modules attached to a given render item.

You may also add and remove output modules.

Factoid: For each frame rendered for a given render item, the list of output modules is traversed. So, for frame 0, output module 0, then 1, then 2 are called.

AEGP_OutputModuleSuite4

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetOutputModuleByIndex

Retrieves the indexed output module.

NOTE: AEGP_OutputModuleRefH is an opaque data type, and can’t be manipulated directly; you must use our accessor functions to modify it.

AEGP_GetOutputModuleByIndex(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  A_long                 outmod_indexL,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  *outmodPH);

AEGP_GetEmbedOptions

Retrieves the embedding setting specified for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_GetEmbedOptions(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_EmbeddingType     *embed_optionsP);

AEGP_EmbeddingType will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_Embedding_NOTHING

  • AEGP_Embedding_LINK

  • AEGP_Embedding_LINK_AND_COPY

AEGP_SetEmbedOptions

Specifies the embedding setting for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_SetEmbedOptions(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_EmbeddingType     embed_options);

AEGP_GetPostRenderAction

Retrieves the post-render action setting for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_GetPostRenderAction(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_PostRenderAction  *actionP);

AEGP_PostRenderAction will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_PostRenderOptions_IMPORT

  • AEGP_PostRenderOptions_IMPORT_AND_REPLACE_USAGE

  • AEGP_PostRenderOptions_SET_PROXY

AEGP_SetPostRenderAction

Specifies the post-render action setting for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_SetPostRenderAction(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_PostRenderAction  action);

AEGP_GetEnabledOutputs

Retrieves which output types are enabled for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_GetEnabledOutputs(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_OutputTypes       *typesP);

AEGP_OutputTypes will contain one or both of the following values:

  • AEGP_OutputType_VIDEO

  • AEGP_OutputType_AUDIO

NOTE: These are flags, not an enumeration.

AEGP_SetEnabledOutputs

Specifies which output types are enabled for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_SetEnabledOutputs(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_OutputTypes       enabled_types);

AEGP_GetOutputChannels

Retrieves which video channels are enabled for output in the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_GetOutputChannels(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_VideoChannels     *outchannelsP);

AEGP_VideoChannels will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_VideoChannels_RGB

  • AEGP_VideoChannels_RGBA

  • AEGP_VideoChannels_ALPHA

AEGP_SetOutputChannels

Specifies which video channels are enabled for output in the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_SetOutputChannels(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_VideoChannels     outchannels);

AEGP_GetStretchInfo

Retrieves the stretch information enabled for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH; whether or not stretching is enabled, whether or not the frame aspect ratio is locked to the composition’s, and what quality setting is specified.

AEGP_GetStretchInfo(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  A_Boolean              *enabledPB,
  AEGP_StretchQuality    *qualP,
  A_Boolean              *lockedPB);

AEGP_StretchQuality will be one of the following:

  • AEGP_StretchQual_LOW

  • AEGP_StretchQual_HIGH

AEGP_SetStretchInfo

Retrieves the stretch information enabled for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH.

AEGP_SetStretchInfo(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  A_Boolean              is_enabledB,
  AEGP_StretchQuality    quality);

AEGP_GetCropInfo

Retrieves whether or not the cropping is enabled for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH, and the rectangle to be used.

AEGP_GetCropInfo(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  A_Boolean              *is_enabledBP,
  A_Rect                 *crop_rectP);

AEGP_SetCropInfo

Specifies whether cropping is enabled for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH, and the rectangle to be used.

AEGP_SetCropInfo(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  A_Boolean              enableB,
  A_Rect                 crop_rect);

AEGP_GetSoundFormatInfo

Retrieves whether or not audio output is enabled for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH, and the settings to be used.

AEGP_GetSoundFormatInfo(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_SoundDataFormat   *formatP,
  A_Boolean              *enabledPB);

AEGP_SetSoundFormatInfo

Specifies whether or not audio output is enabled for the referenced AEGP_OutputModuleRefH, and the settings to be used.

AEGP_SetSoundFormatInfo(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_SoundDataFormat   format_info,
  A_Boolean              enabledB);

AEGP_GetOutputFilePath

Retrieves the path to which AEGP_OutputModuleRefH's output file will be written. The path is a handle to a NULL-terminated A_UTF16Char string, and must be disposed with AEGP_FreeMemHandle.

AEGP_GetOutputFilePath(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_MemHandle         *unicode_pathPH);

AEGP_SetOutputFilePath

Specifies the path to which AEGP_OutputModuleRefH's output file will be written. The file path is a NULL-terminated UTF-16 string with platform separators.

AEGP_SetOutputFilePath(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  const A_UTF16Char      *pathZ);

AEGP_AddDefaultOutputModule

Adds the default output module to the specified AEGP_RQItemRefH, and returns the added output module’s AEGP_OutputModuleRefH (you wouldn’t add it if you didn’t plan to mess around with it, would you?).

AEGP_AddDefaultOutputModule(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  *outmodPH);

AEGP_GetExtraOutputModuleInfo

Retrieves information about the output module. format_uniPH and info_uniPH provide the textual description of, and information about, the output module, formatted as the user would see it. format_uniPH and info_uniPH will contain NULL-terminated UTF16 strings, of which the caller must dispose.

AEGP_GetExtraOutputModuleInfo(
  AEGP_RQItemRefH        rq_itemH,
  AEGP_OutputModuleRefH  outmodH,
  AEGP_MemHandle         *format_uniPH,
  AEGP_MemHandle         *info_uniPH,
  A_Boolean              *is_sequenceBP,
  A_Boolean              *multi_frameBP);

Working With Effects

These functions provide a way for effects (and AEGPs) to obtain information about the context of an applied effect.

Note

Any time you modify or rely on data from outside the normal render pipeline, you run the risk of dependency problems.

There is no way for After Effects to know that you depend on this external information; consequently, you will not be notified if it changes out from under you.

AEGP_PFInterfaceSuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetEffectLayer

Obtain the layer handle of the layer to which the effect is applied.

AEGP_GetEffectLayer(
  PF_ProgPtr   effect_ref,
  AEGP_LayerH  *layerPH);

AEGP_GetNewEffectForEffect

Obtain the AEGP_EffectRefH corresponding to the effect.

AEGP_GetNewEffectForEffect(
  AEGP_PluginID    aegp_plugin_id,
  PF_ProgPtr       effect_ref,
  AEGP_EffectRefH  *effectPH);

AEGP_ConvertEffectToCompTime

Retreive the composition time corresponding to the effect’s layer time.

AEGP_ConvertEffectToCompTime(
  PF_ProgPtr     effect_ref,
  long           what_timeL,
  unsigned long  time_scaleLu,
  A_Time         *comp_timePT);

AEGP_GetEffectCamera

Obtain the camera (if any) being used by After Effects to view the effect’s layer.

AEGP_GetEffectCamera(
  PF_ProgPtr    effect_ref,
  const A_Time  *comp_timePT,
  AEGP_LayerH   camera_layerPH);

AEGP_GetEffectCameraMatrix

Obtain the transform used to move between the layer’s coordinate space and that of the containing composition.

AEGP_GetEffectCameraMatrix(
  PF_ProgPtr    effect_ref,
  const A_Time  *comp_timePT,
  A_Matrix4     *camera_matrixP,
  A_FpLong      *dst_to_planePF,
  A_short       *plane_widthPL,
  A_short       *plane_heightPL);

NOTE: In cases where the effect’s input layer has square pixels, but is in a non-square pixel composition, you must correct for the pixel aspect ratio by premultiplying the matrix by (1/parF, 1, 1).

AEGP_GetEffectCameraMatrix Notes

The model view for the camera matrix is inverse of the matrix obtained from AEGP_GetEffectCameraMatrix().

Also note that our matrix is row-based; OpenGL’s is column-based.


Do This Many Times

Utilizes multiple processors (if available) for your computations.

AEGP_IterateSuite1

Function

Purpose

AEGP_GetNumThreads

Ask After Effects how many threads are currently available.

AEGP_GetNumThreads(
  A_long  *num_threadsPL);

AEGP_IterateGeneric

Specify a function for After Effects to manage on multiple processors. Can be any function pointer specified by fn_func, taking the arguments listed below. See Private Data for a description of how refconPV is used.

AEGP_IterateGeneric(
  A_long  iterationsL,
  void    *refconPV,
  A_Err   (*fn_func)
    (void   *refconPV,
    A_long  thread_indexL,
    A_long  i,
    A_long  iterationsL));

File Import Manager Suite

The FIMSuite allows file types handled by AEGPs to appear as part of the After Effects import dialog, and drag-and-drop messaging.

These are not for use by AEIOs! Rather, they are for importing projects which are best represented as After Effects compositions.

AEGP_FIMSuite3

Function

Purpose

AEGP_RegisterImportFlavor

Registers the name of the file type(s) supported by the plug-in. Upon return, imp_refP will be a valid opaque reference, or AE_FIM_ImportFlavorRef_NONE.

AEGP_RegisterImportFlavor(
  const char              *nameZ,
  AE_FIM_ImportFlavorRef  *imp_refP);

AEGP_RegisterImportFlavorFileTypes

Registers an array of file types and file extensions (the two arrays need not be of equal length) supported by the AEGP.

AEGP_RegisterImportFlavorFileTypes(
  AE_FIM_ImportFlavorRef  imp_ref,
  long                    num_filekindsL,
  const AEIO_FileKind     *kindsAP,
  long                    num_fileextsL,
  const AEIO_FileKind     *extsAP);

AEGP_RegisterImportFlavorImportCallbacks

Register the AEGP functions which will respond to import of different filetypes.

AEGP_RegisterImportFlavorImportCallbacks(
  AE_FIM_ImportFlavorRef        ref,
  AE_FIM_ImportFlags            single_flag,
  const AE_FIM_ImportCallbacks  *imp_cbsP);

AEGP_SetImportedItem

Designates an item as having been imported (possibly replacing an existing item), and sets associated import options.

AEGP_SetImportedItem(
  AE_FIM_ImportOptions  imp_options,
  AEGP_ItemH            imported_itemH);