Adobe After Effects Expressions and Scripting

Question 1

How do you add an expression to a property in After Effects?

Accepted Answer

Alt+click (Option+click on Mac) the stopwatch icon of the property

Answer

Alt+clicking the stopwatch enables expression mode, showing an expression field and disabling regular keyframing for that property.

Question 2

What does the `wiggle()` expression function do in After Effects?

Accepted Answer

Creates random oscillation of a property's value over time with controllable frequency and amplitude

Answer

wiggle(frequency, amplitude) adds random variation to a property, with frequency controlling oscillations per second and amplitude controlling the range.

Question 3

What does `thisComp.layer("Layer Name").transform.position` do in an After Effects expression?

Accepted Answer

Returns the current position value of a named layer in the same composition

Answer

This expression references the Position transform property of a specific named layer in the current composition.

Question 4

What does the `time` expression variable represent in After Effects?

Accepted Answer

The current time of the composition in seconds at the current frame

Answer

The `time` variable returns the composition's current time in seconds (e.g., 2.5 at 2 seconds 15 frames at 30fps).

Question 5

What does `loopOut('cycle')` do in an After Effects expression?

Accepted Answer

Repeats the keyframe animation after the last keyframe by cycling back to the first keyframe

Answer

loopOut('cycle') repeats the segment between the first and last keyframes indefinitely after the last keyframe.

Adobe After Effects Practice Test

Adobe After Effects Practice Test

Adobe After Effects Expressions and Scripting