Export animation data to Adobe After Effects #29858

New Issue

Brendon Murphy · 2012-01-11T14:40:07+01:00

Brendon Murphy commented

2012-01-11 14:40:07 +01:00

Project: Blender Extensions
Tracker: Py Scripts Release
Blender: 2.64
Python: 3.2
Script name: Export: Adobe After Effects (.jsx)
Homepage: http://cg.bartekskorupa.com/b2ae/
Wiki page: http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.5/Py/Scripts/Import-Export/Adobe_After_Effects
Author(s): Bartek Skorupa
Category: Import Export
SVN Download: https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/trunk/py/scripts/addons/io_export_after_effects.py
Status: Open

%%%Export cameras' and objects' animation data to Adobe After Effects.
works in blender 2.59/2.60 and After Effects CS3 and above.
Works with square and non-square pixels.
Camera and objects can be animated. Locations, rotations and zoom will be exported.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Select your camera and all objects you want to export and go to File -> Export -> After Effects(.jsx).
A .jsx file will be created that you can run as a script in AE
In AE go to: File --> Scripts --> Run Script File...
and browse to the .jsx file created by blender.
New composition will be created.
Nulls objects follow selected objects' locations and rotations.
You can use them as reference points for tracking and adding effects.%%%

**Project**: Blender Extensions **Tracker**: Py Scripts Release **Blender**: 2.64 **Python**: 3.2 **Script name**: Export: Adobe After Effects (.jsx) **Homepage**: http://cg.bartekskorupa.com/b2ae/ **Wiki page**: http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Extensions:2.5/Py/Scripts/Import-Export/Adobe_After_Effects **Author(s)**: Bartek Skorupa **Category**: Import Export **SVN Download**: https://svn.blender.org/svnroot/bf-extensions/trunk/py/scripts/addons/io_export_after_effects.py **Status**: Open %%%Export cameras' and objects' animation data to Adobe After Effects. works in blender 2.59/2.60 and After Effects CS3 and above. Works with square and non-square pixels. Camera and objects can be animated. Locations, rotations and zoom will be exported. INSTRUCTIONS: Select your camera and all objects you want to export and go to File -> Export -> After Effects(.jsx). A .jsx file will be created that you can run as a script in AE In AE go to: File --> Scripts --> Run Script File... and browse to the .jsx file created by blender. New composition will be created. Nulls objects follow selected objects' locations and rotations. You can use them as reference points for tracking and adding effects.%%%

Brendon Murphy commented

2012-01-11 14:40:07 +01:00

Changed status to: 'Open'

Nobody commented

2012-01-11 14:40:07 +01:00

This task was automatically closed as archived as part of migration, because it was determined to be no longer active.

The authoritative list of addons is on the wiki, we no longer have a report for each addon to track bugs and updates. Bugs can be reported individually and assigned to the addon developers. See the #Addons project page for more information on the workflow.

This task was automatically closed as archived as part of migration, because it was determined to be no longer active. The authoritative list of addons is on the wiki, we no longer have a report for each addon to track bugs and updates. Bugs can be reported individually and assigned to the addon developers. See the #Addons project page for more information on the workflow.

Nobody commented

2012-01-11 14:40:07 +01:00

Changed status from 'Open' to: 'Archived'

Nobody closed this issue

2012-01-11 14:40:07 +01:00

Brendon Murphy commented

2012-01-11 14:52:56 +01:00

%%% Date: 2011-10-22 14:59

  Sender: Luca Bonavita
  [canned response]

  We gave you bf-extensions rights, read details at:

- http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:Py/Sharing
- http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:2.5/Py/Scripts/Guidelines/Addons

-----

* You can work on svn in contrib/ directory

  See a help panel about svn here:
  http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:Extensions/Sharing/SVN_Help

  Don\'t forget to add a meaningful message at each svn commit

  The password for svn is the same as the one you use to log in in this tracker.

* We invited you to our commits mailing list

  see http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-extensions-cvs

  Please subscribe, so that your commit mail will be sent to
  subscribers instead of hanging on
  You should have received a mail already about it, if not,
  please leave a line here, thx!

* Move your script in contrib/ directory in svn (if it\'s not

  there already)

* We are assigning this script to yourself, so that you are

  responsible for maintenance.

  Please click on "Monitor" to receive updates when people edit
  your extension tracker page

* Finally, we have moved this tracker page from the original

  location in "Upload", so check the tracker_url field and commit
  in bf-extensions

  Thanks and welcome aboard! :)

  Date: 2011-10-25 07:17
  Sender: Bartek Skorupa
  Thank you very much for upgrading this Add On to contrib.
  I would like to draw your attention to very beginning of this tool and positive response received back in 2009:
  http://www.blendernation.com/2009/11/24/blender-to-after-effects-export-script/
  Back then it was really just a beginning. Comments show the need for existence of such tool.
  Let's make it a part of Blender. This will open Blender to After Effects users.

  Date: 2011-10-25 08:30
  Sender: Brendon Murphy
  +1 for script review by ideasman42 with a view to move to trunk

  Date: 2011-10-25 09:11
  Sender: Campbell Barton
  Finished review: http://codereview.appspot.com/5308054

  Date: 2011-10-25 17:44
  Sender: Bartek Skorupa
  Code corrected, uploaded to contrib, waiting for permission to move to trunk or for other suggestions.

  Date: 2011-10-26 08:25
  Sender: Bartek Skorupa
  Moved to trunk

  Date: 2011-11-01 09:00
  Sender: Bartek Skorupa
  v.056 - Changed some functions to fix issues when user enters illegal characters in objects' or composition's names.

  Date: 2011-11-13 14:56
  Sender: Bartek Skorupa
  v. 057 - Corrected behavior when camera sensor fit is set to vertical.

  Date: 2011-11-13 14:56
  Sender: Bartek Skorupa
  Moved from Py Scripts Contrib to Plugins Contrib

  Date: 2011-11-22 14:45
  Sender: Bartek Skorupa
  v. 058 - Changed some arguments' names to match new API.

  Date: 2012-01-10 15:23
  Sender: Bartek Skorupa
  v. 059:

- Removed check if camera has attribute 'sensor size'. This option was needed for backwards compatibility. Not needed anymore.
- Moved adding composition's name from blender's toolbox to After Effects. User specifies name when running script in AE.
- Added option to export selected objects' scale.
- Rotation and scale export is now the option. User can include or exclude those properties.
- Removed 'prefix' from AE's layers' names. This option was just creating mess. No real benefits from having this option
- If no camera is selected - at least scene's camera will be exported (if exists)

  Some time ago I have accidentally moved this tracker item to "Plugins Contrib" category.
  It seems that I don't have sufficient privileges to move it back where it belongs.
  It should be moved to "Py Scripts Release" as it is just a script and is included in trunk, or at least "Py Scripts Contrib" if those are the rules.
  Could someone please help me?
  I'd like to avoid a mess.%%%

%%% Date: 2011-10-22 14:59 ``` Sender: Luca Bonavita [canned response] ``` ``` We gave you bf-extensions rights, read details at: ``` - http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:Py/Sharing - http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:2.5/Py/Scripts/Guidelines/Addons ----- * You can work on svn in contrib/ directory ``` See a help panel about svn here: http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Dev:Extensions/Sharing/SVN_Help ``` ``` Don\'t forget to add a meaningful message at each svn commit ``` ``` The password for svn is the same as the one you use to log in in this tracker. ``` * We invited you to our commits mailing list ``` see http://lists.blender.org/mailman/listinfo/bf-extensions-cvs ``` ``` Please subscribe, so that your commit mail will be sent to subscribers instead of hanging on You should have received a mail already about it, if not, please leave a line here, thx! ``` * Move your script in contrib/ directory in svn (if it\'s not ``` there already) ``` * We are assigning this script to yourself, so that you are ``` responsible for maintenance. ``` ``` Please click on "Monitor" to receive updates when people edit your extension tracker page ``` * Finally, we have moved this tracker page from the original ``` location in "Upload", so check the tracker_url field and commit in bf-extensions ``` ``` Thanks and welcome aboard! :) ``` ``` Date: 2011-10-25 07:17 Sender: Bartek Skorupa Thank you very much for upgrading this Add On to contrib. I would like to draw your attention to very beginning of this tool and positive response received back in 2009: http://www.blendernation.com/2009/11/24/blender-to-after-effects-export-script/ Back then it was really just a beginning. Comments show the need for existence of such tool. Let's make it a part of Blender. This will open Blender to After Effects users. ``` ``` Date: 2011-10-25 08:30 Sender: Brendon Murphy +1 for script review by ideasman42 with a view to move to trunk ``` ``` Date: 2011-10-25 09:11 Sender: Campbell Barton Finished review: http://codereview.appspot.com/5308054 ``` ``` Date: 2011-10-25 17:44 Sender: Bartek Skorupa Code corrected, uploaded to contrib, waiting for permission to move to trunk or for other suggestions. ``` ``` Date: 2011-10-26 08:25 Sender: Bartek Skorupa Moved to trunk ``` ``` Date: 2011-11-01 09:00 Sender: Bartek Skorupa v.056 - Changed some functions to fix issues when user enters illegal characters in objects' or composition's names. ``` ``` Date: 2011-11-13 14:56 Sender: Bartek Skorupa v. 057 - Corrected behavior when camera sensor fit is set to vertical. ``` ``` Date: 2011-11-13 14:56 Sender: Bartek Skorupa Moved from Py Scripts Contrib to Plugins Contrib ``` ``` Date: 2011-11-22 14:45 Sender: Bartek Skorupa v. 058 - Changed some arguments' names to match new API. ``` ``` Date: 2012-01-10 15:23 Sender: Bartek Skorupa v. 059: ``` - Removed check if camera has attribute 'sensor size'. This option was needed for backwards compatibility. Not needed anymore. - Moved adding composition's name from blender's toolbox to After Effects. User specifies name when running script in AE. - Added option to export selected objects' scale. - Rotation and scale export is now the option. User can include or exclude those properties. - Removed 'prefix' from AE's layers' names. This option was just creating mess. No real benefits from having this option - If no camera is selected - at least scene's camera will be exported (if exists) ``` Some time ago I have accidentally moved this tracker item to "Plugins Contrib" category. It seems that I don't have sufficient privileges to move it back where it belongs. It should be moved to "Py Scripts Release" as it is just a script and is included in trunk, or at least "Py Scripts Contrib" if those are the rules. Could someone please help me? I'd like to avoid a mess.%%%

Bartek Skorupa commented

2012-02-14 08:43:51 +01:00

%%%Changelog entry:
23.01.2012 - v. 060:

Active camera export - when cameras bound to markers - option to export as one camera.
poll fix - changed from active object to active camera or selected objects.
Export of active camera is now optional
Export of selected cameras is now optional
Naming fix - Changed tracking data export naming for user from BUNDLES to 3D MARKERS
Toolbar display change - wrapped in box, options added
Code cleanup - Prepared structure for future options of exporting lamps as AE lights, planes as AE solids and object tracking bundles, additional conditions added to avoid AE errors in some rare cases
Added displayStartTime on AE side to reflect exported range. It is just the way of displaying current time in AE composition.
%%%

%%%Changelog entry: 23.01.2012 - v. 060: - Active camera export - when cameras bound to markers - option to export as one camera. - poll fix - changed from active object to active camera or selected objects. - Export of active camera is now optional - Export of selected cameras is now optional - Naming fix - Changed tracking data export naming for user from BUNDLES to 3D MARKERS - Toolbar display change - wrapped in box, options added - Code cleanup - Prepared structure for future options of exporting lamps as AE lights, planes as AE solids and object tracking bundles, additional conditions added to avoid AE errors in some rare cases - Added displayStartTime on AE side to reflect exported range. It is just the way of displaying current time in AE composition. %%%

Brendon Murphy commented

2012-02-21 22:17:11 +01:00

%%%Hi,
Due to changes to the api including the merging of bmesh, several addons are outdated.
Please, if you are the author of an addon check your script with blender revision 44256 or newer.
That is builds made After blender 2.62 official release.
I would ask that updates be made to your addon before the Blender 2.63 release.
6-8 weeks away.
This allows time for the api to become more exposed & bmesh to stablize furthur.
If you need help, drop into irc freenode #blenderpython or #blendercoders & feel welcome to ask questions.
At the time of 2.63 release, scripts that are not repaired or in active developement will have their tracker page marked "Closed"
this will not affect your links to the tracker, similar to closing scripts in 2.49b, the page will be still availible & can be re-opened.

Thanks for your understanding & patience during these Exciting Times.
Brendon.

%%%

%%%Hi, Due to changes to the api including the merging of bmesh, several addons are outdated. Please, if you are the author of an addon check your script with blender revision 44256 or newer. That is builds made After blender 2.62 official release. I would ask that updates be made to your addon before the Blender 2.63 release. 6-8 weeks away. This allows time for the api to become more exposed & bmesh to stablize furthur. If you need help, drop into irc freenode #blenderpython or #blendercoders & feel welcome to ask questions. At the time of 2.63 release, scripts that are not repaired or in active developement will have their tracker page marked "Closed" this will not affect your links to the tracker, similar to closing scripts in 2.49b, the page will be still availible & can be re-opened. Thanks for your understanding & patience during these Exciting Times. Brendon. %%%

Bartek Skorupa commented

2012-02-22 19:36:28 +01:00

%%%Thank you for drawing our attention to new API. Exporter to After Effects is not affected by latest changes, it works fine. I will however keep eye on it.%%%

Bartek Skorupa commented

2012-03-12 23:51:41 +01:00

%%%Update of March 10th 2012 and March 12th 2012:
Added export of Blender's lamps as After Effects lights.
There is a limitation in After Effects scripting language that doesn't allow to change the type of the light, so every lamp is exported as After Effects "spot light".

Keyframes are added only when needed. Rotations are now represented by After Effects Orientation.

Plans for the future:
Last missing feature that I have in mind is possibility to export Blender's planes as After Effects solids.
I need to figure out the way to calculate proper orientation of the plane when the user rotates or moves it in edit mode. In such case - neither location nor rotation of the object changes. At the moment the exporter is not aware of changes made to the mesh. It bases on the object matrix.%%%

%%%Update of March 10th 2012 and March 12th 2012: Added export of Blender's lamps as After Effects lights. There is a limitation in After Effects scripting language that doesn't allow to change the type of the light, so every lamp is exported as After Effects "spot light". Keyframes are added only when needed. Rotations are now represented by After Effects Orientation. Plans for the future: Last missing feature that I have in mind is possibility to export Blender's planes as After Effects solids. I need to figure out the way to calculate proper orientation of the plane when the user rotates or moves it in edit mode. In such case - neither location nor rotation of the object changes. At the moment the exporter is not aware of changes made to the mesh. It bases on the object matrix.%%%

funkyou commented

2020-05-01 16:51:47 +02:00

Added subscriber: @ilko

funkyou commented

2020-05-01 16:51:47 +02:00

Hello,

any chance to see this updated to Blender v2.8x ?

Hello, any chance to see this updated to Blender v2.8x ?

Kenny Jeffery commented

2021-07-17 22:46:42 +02:00

Added subscriber: @KennyJ

Kenny Jeffery commented

2021-07-17 22:46:42 +02:00

I recently created a repo here fixing for 2.9: https://github.com/kenxjay/io-export-after-effects-2.9

Then found a more robust update here on Blender.org: https://developer.blender.org/diffusion/BAC/browse/master/io_export_after_effects.py

I recently created a repo here fixing for 2.9: https://github.com/kenxjay/io-export-after-effects-2.9 Then found a more robust update here on Blender.org: https://developer.blender.org/diffusion/BAC/browse/master/io_export_after_effects.py

Medeleanu Constantin commented

2022-12-15 21:50:37 +01:00

Added subscriber: @Medeleanu_Constantin

Medeleanu Constantin commented

2022-12-15 21:50:37 +01:00

Hello, can you please tell me how to install the After Effects Add-on on Blender 3.4
I have After Effects version 2023.

I used this name for the script, but it doesn't work.

io_export_after_effects_3.4.py

I put the script in: C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 3.4\3.4\scripts\addons

Thank you very much,
Adrian Medeleanu

Hello, can you please tell me how to install the After Effects Add-on on Blender 3.4 I have After Effects version 2023. I used this name for the script, but it doesn't work. io_export_after_effects_3.4.py I put the script in: C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 3.4\3.4\scripts\addons Thank you very much, Adrian Medeleanu

Kenny Jeffery commented

2022-12-16 17:24:58 +01:00

Hi there Adrian,

I ran this in Blender 3.4 and the script add .jsx as an export option. Is the problem you are seeing exporting from Blender, importing into After Effects 2023 or running the script at all.

The script isn't packaged so you won't be able to install it through preferences i.e.Preferences->Add-ons->Install. Instead go to Scripting window in Blender, create New by pressing the button and copy and paste the script from https:*developer.blender.org/diffusion/BAC/browse/master/io_export_after_effects.py in the editor. Press the play button and you should see bpy.ops.text.run_script() appear in the console log.

If you know go to File->Export on the menu you will see Adobe After Effects (.jsx) as an option.
Let me know if you need further help.
Regards,
Kenny

Hi there Adrian, I ran this in Blender 3.4 and the script add .jsx as an export option. Is the problem you are seeing exporting from Blender, importing into After Effects 2023 or running the script at all. The script isn't packaged so you won't be able to install it through preferences i.e.*Preferences->Add-ons->Install*. Instead go to Scripting window in Blender, create New by pressing the button and copy and paste the script from [https:*developer.blender.org/diffusion/BAC/browse/master/io_export_after_effects.py ](https:*developer.blender.org/diffusion/BAC/browse/master/io_export_after_effects.py) in the editor. Press the play button and you should see bpy.ops.text.run_script() appear in the console log. If you know go to *File->Export* on the menu you will see *Adobe After Effects (.jsx)* as an option. Let me know if you need further help. Regards, Kenny

Medeleanu Constantin commented

2022-12-18 20:23:53 +01:00

Hey Kenny, thank you very much for your help.

I did all the steps, but when I bring the object named vas.jsx, from Blender to Adobe After Effects 2023 with Scripts > Run Script File... it shows me just a square line (like in the images uploaded here) , without anything else - not the 3D object from Blender.

Can you please tell me what am I doing wrong?

Thank you very much,
Adrian Medeleanu

Hey Kenny, thank you very much for your help. I did all the steps, but when I bring the object named vas.jsx, from Blender to Adobe After Effects 2023 with Scripts > Run Script File... it shows me just a square line (like in the images uploaded here) ![Blender object.jpg](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F14070297/Blender_object.jpg) ![AE problem.jpg](https://archive.blender.org/developer/F14070296/AE_problem.jpg), without anything else - not the 3D object from Blender. Can you please tell me what am I doing wrong? Thank you very much, Adrian Medeleanu

Medeleanu Constantin commented

2022-12-31 12:45:15 +01:00

Hello Kenny, first I want to wish you a very good New Year (it's coming...) :))

Can you help me with the problem from above?

Thank you very much,
Adrian Medeleanu

Hello Kenny, first I want to wish you a very good New Year (it's coming...) :)) Can you help me with the problem from above? Thank you very much, Adrian Medeleanu

Kenny Jeffery commented

2022-12-31 13:02:59 +01:00

Hey Happy New Year to you too.
If memory serves you will need to render your Blender scene. I would suggest an image sequence with transparency.
Then import this sequence into After Effects. Parent this to your element with the tracked data keyframes.
The objects in your Blender scene do not get exported in the JSX only the tracking data.
Hope this helps.

Hey Happy New Year to you too. If memory serves you will need to render your Blender scene. I would suggest an image sequence with transparency. Then import this sequence into After Effects. Parent this to your element with the tracked data keyframes. The objects in your Blender scene do not get exported in the JSX only the tracking data. Hope this helps.

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