global
Global
These attributes and methods are global, top-level elements accessible from any expression across your project. They’re among the most commonly-used expression elements.
Attributes
colorDepth
colorDepth
Description
Type the project color depth value.
For example, colorDepth returns 16 when the project color depth is 16 bits per channel.
Type
Number
thisComp
thisComp
Description
Represents the composition containing the expression.
Type
thisLayer
thisLayer
Description
Represents the layer containing the expression.
Because thisLayer is the default object, its use is optional.
For example, you can start an expression with thisLayer.width or width and get the same result.
Type
Layer, Light, or Camera object
thisProject
thisProject
Description
Represents the project which contains the expression.
Type
thisProperty
thisProperty
Description
Represents the property containing the expression.
For example, if you write an expression on the Rotation property, you can start an expression with thisProperty to refer to the Rotation property.
Type
time
time
Description
Represents the composition time, in seconds, at which the expression is being evaluated.
Type
Number
value
value
Description
Represents the value at the current time for the property containing the expression.
Type
A value of the same property type as the property being refrenced.
Methods
comp()
comp(name)
Description
Retrieves another composition by name.
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
name | String | The name of the composition to get |
Returns
footage()
footage(name)
Description
Retrieves a footage item by name.
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
name | String | The name of the footage item to get |
Returns
posterizeTime()
posterizeTime(updatesPerSecond)
Description
This expression allows you to set the frame rate for a property to be lower than the frame rate of the composition.
Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
updatesPerSecond | Number | The number of times per second the expression should evaluate |
Returns
Number
Example
To change a property to a random value 1 time per second:
posterizeTime(1);
random()To change a 2d property (such as Position or Scale) to a random value 3 times per second:
posterizeTime(3);
const newValue = random(0, 100);[newValue, newValue];To change a property to a random value within a specified range, every 12 frames:
const holdFrames = 12;const minValue = 50;const maxValue = 100;
posterizeTime(1 / framesToTime(holdFrames));
const newValue = random(minValue, maxValue);newValue;