Adobe 65009963 Scripting Manual page 5

Overview
The ExtendScript JSX format
After Effects supports ExtendScript, Adobe's extended implementation of JavaScript. ExtendScript is used by
all Adobe applications that provide a scripting interface. In addition to implementing the JavaScript language
according to the ECMA 262 and E4X ECMA 357 specifications, ExtendScript provides certain additional
features and utilities:
For help in developing, debugging, and testing scripts, ExtendScript provides an inter-
ExtendScript Toolkit:
active development and testing environment, the ExtendScript Toolkit. It also defines a global debugging
object, the dollar ($) object, and a reporting utility for ExtendScript elements, the ExtendScript Reflection
interface.
Because path name syntax is very different in different operating systems, Adobe
File and Folder Objects:
ExtendScript defines and
F i l e
system.
ScriptUI User Interface Module:
with user interface elements. ScriptUI provides an object model for windows and UI control elements that
you can use to create a user interface for your scripts.
In addition, ExtendScript provides tools and features such as a localization utility for
Tools and Utilities:
providing user-interface string values in different languages and global functions for displaying short
messages in dialog boxes (
Interapplication Communication:
applications, and allows interapplication communication through scripts.
External Communication:
systems from your After Effects scripts.
These features and more are described in detail in the JavaScript Tools Guide, which is available with After
Effects, and from partners.adobe.com.
ExtendScript script files are distinguished by the
used with standard JavaScript files. After Effects scripts must include the
properly recognized by the application. Any UTF-8 encoded text file with the
an ExtendScript file.
You can use the ExtendScript Toolkit to export a binary version of an ExtendScript file, which has the
extension . Such a binary file may not be usable with all of the scripting integration features in After
. js xb i n
Effects.
Activating full scripting features
For security reasons, the scripting features that operate outside the After Effects application (such as adding
and deleting files and folders on volumes, or accessing the network) are disabled by default.
To enable these features, choose Preferences > General, and select "Allow Scripts To Write Files And Access
Network." This allows you to:
• Write to files
Create folders and set the current folder
•
• Create a socket connection (for details of this JavaScript utility, see the JavaScript Tools Guide)
objects to provide platform-independent access to the underlying file
F o l d e r
The ExtendScript ScriptUI module provides the ability to create and interact
, , and
ale rt c o n fi r m p r o m pt
ExtendScript provides a common scripting environment for all Adobe
ExtendScript provides a
S o c k e t
file extension, a variation on the standard
.j sx
Activating full scripting features
).
object that allows you to communicate with remote
file extension in order to be
.js x
.j sx
5
extension
.js
extension is recognized as
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