Time Conversion Methods - Adobe AFTER EFFECTS 7.0 Manual

Some argument descriptions include a number in square brackets—this number indicates the dimension of the
expected property or Array. If a specific dimension is not included, any dimension will work.
Some return value descriptions include a number in square brackets—this number specifies the dimension of the
returned property or Array. If a specific dimension is not included, the dimension of the returned Array depends on
the dimension of the input.
Global objects
Return type: Comp. Retrieves another composition by name.
comp(name)
Argument type: name is a String.
Return type: Footage.
footage(name)
Argument type: name is a String.
Retrieves a footage item by name.
Return type: Comp.
thisComp
Represents the composition containing the expression.
Return type: Layer, Light, or Camera.
thisLayer
Represents the layer containing the expression. Because
example, you can start an expression with
Return type: Property.
thisProperty
Represents the property containing the expression. For example, if you write an expression on the Rotation property,
you can start an expression with
Return type: Number.
time
Represents the composition time, in seconds, at which the expression is being evaluated.
Return type: Number.
colorDepth
Returns the project's color depth value. For example,
per channel.
posterizeTime(framesPerSecond)
Argument type: framesPerSecond is a Number.
The framesPerSecond value becomes the frame rate from which the rest of the expression operates. This allows you
to set the expression to a frame rate lower than that of the composition. For example, the following expression
updates the property value with a random value once per second:
p oster izeTime(1);
random
Return type: Number or Array.
value
Represents the value at the current time for the property containing the expression.

Time conversion methods

timeToFrames(t = time + thisComp.displayStartTime, fps = 1.0 / thisComp.frameDuration, isDuration = false)
Return type: Number.
t his L ayer
t hisL ayer.w idt h
to refer to the Rotation property value.
t hisProp er t y
c ol or D e pt h
Return type: Number.
is the default object, its use is optional. For
or and get the same result.
w idt h
returns 16 when the project's color depth is 16 bits
ADOBE AFTER EFFECTS 7.0 571
User Guide