To Specify The Format For Pick Whip Expressions; To Build An Expression Using The Expression Language Menu - Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 7.0 Manual

Symbol Function
/ divide
* multiply
*-1 perform opposite of original, such as
counterclockwise instead of clockwise
Using complex math functions provides great flexibility. For example, you could use the math function
change an expression's range from 0-360 to 0-100. This would be useful if you wanted to convert the values of a 360-
degree dial to a slider that is measured in percentages.

To specify the format for pick whip expressions

You can specify the way the pick whip formats expressions. By default, the pick whip creates compact English expres-
sions, which use the Timeline panel's name for the properties within an expression. Because these names are coded
into the product and never change, the expression does not break when opened on a computer that uses a language
other than English. Any property names that you can change are enclosed in straight quotes and remain the same in
any language. If you don't plan on sharing your projects across a language barrier, you can deselect this preference
and line up properties in an expression hierarchically, using parentheses.
Choose Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or After Effects > Preferences > General (Mac OS).
1
2 Select or deselect Expression Pick Whip Writes Compact English.
To see the difference between the two expression formats, create the same pick-whip expression with the preference
selected and deselected.
Note: Because the default is set to use compact English, this document uses compact English in all examples and illus-
trations.

To build an expression using the Expression Language menu

The Expression Language menu in the Timeline panel contains all the language elements specific to After Effects
that you can use in an expression. This menu is helpful for determining valid elements and their correct syntax; use
it as a reference for available elements. Select any object, attribute, or method, and After Effects automatically inserts
it in the expression field at the location of the cursor. Then, you can edit and add to it as needed.
The Expression Language menu lists arguments and default values. This makes it easy to remember which elements
you can control when you write an expression. For example, in the language menu, the Property function for wiggle
lists:
wi g g l e( f re q, amp, o c t aves= 1, ampMu lt=. 5, t = ti me )
following . The in the last three arguments indicates that using those parameters is optional. If you specify
w i g g le =
no values for them, they default, respectively, to 1, .5, and the current time.
. There are five arguments listed in the parentheses
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