Replace layer media

This is probably a simple question, but I have been trying to figure it out for a while and can't.
I would like to simply replace the media in a layer with a different piece of media, without replacing it throughout the whole project by using replace footage in the project window.
For example, if I have three layers doing different animations on the same photo, and then I decide that only one of those layers should have a different photo, how would I do that?
thanks!
kairosmatt

See this section of After Effects Help:
"Replace layer source with references to another footage item"

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Player compatibility problem with dual layer media

I've created a dual layer DVD and there is a problem with compatibility from player to player.
It plays fine in one of my DVD players but will not load in the other.
The duplicators tested my master on 2 players and it loaded on both, but would lock up if a chapter was selected from the submenu.
It has 4 tracks of content. 3 menus, and a bunch of chapter markers. The original build had stories (replaced with standard chapter markers) but I removed them hoping it would solve the problem.
The imported video tracks were created with Compressor. MPEG-2 2 pass VBR max bit rate 7.5. AC3 audio tracks. 7.7 GB on disc.
I'm already way over my deadline and ahve no idea what to do next other than maybe recompress so the disc is not so close to being maxed out.

Thats just how compatible that media is... +R DL (double layer) & -R DL are not that compatible. Recordable media is less compatible that replicated discs but double and dual layer media can be 50% compatible at best (depending on your target market...)
Good quality media, Verbatim +R DL for example burnt at slow speeds helps improve things,
-Jake

Backup to DVD doesn't span properly with dual layer media.

I attempted to use the backup feature in Itunes 7.0.1
After choosing backup to disc, it provided a warning that the backup would require more than one CD - and that's OK by me, so I went ahead and put media in the drive. It started and after filling the first disk, it stopped and said it was aborting because of an 'unspecified error?'
My DVD drive is capable of dual layer burning, and I use good quality media. It did successfully burn the DVD, but only part of the library was backed up onto the dual layer DVD I was using. I have used both this drive and this type/brand media succesfully on numerous other projects.
It looks like the backup routine fails when using dual layer media and backing up more than will fit on one media.
I could't acess the bug report paga so am posting it here.
I don't know if it's repeatable, because I don't want to waste any more dual layer DVD's.
Windows XP Pro, non remarkable system otherwise, P4 2400 - 1G memory no weird startup programs, no anti virus running. pretty much plain vanilla.
Just thought other might have the same issue.
Windows XP Pro

henry, would it be possible to get a copy of your CD/DVD diagnostics to Apple via the form at the bottom of the following document?
Optical drives diagnostics and troubleshooting

A Script to Find and Replace Layer Names

Are there any scripts to find and replace layer names?
There is an excellent script available for Photoshop which allows you to not only replace words in layer names, but also insert words as Prefixes, Suffixes and Sequential Numbers.
The illustrator version of this script only allows sequential numbering: It doesn't offer find and replacing of words.
Ideally, it would be great if there was something that could do multiple find and replaces in one go:
(e.g.
You have layers like this Car, Dog, Bat
You enter: car(Option1), dog(Option2), Bat(Option3)
Your layers then become: Option1, Option2, Option3).

big_smile, that's a very good start! Step 1 of Learning How To Script is indeed, adjusting an existing simple script to make it do more complicated things. (And usually then "break something", which is also a required part of the process.)
You are correct in your observation this is repetitive stuff. For one or two different items that wouldn't be a problem, but in longer lists you soon get lost.
The usual way of working with find-change lists is to build an array:
var layernames = [
[ 'FHairBowlBoy *Hair', 'Hairboy1' ],
[ 'FHairCurlyafroBoy *Hair', 'Hairboy2' ],
[ 'FHairSpikyBoy *Hair', 'Hairboy3' ],
The general idea is to loop over all names, check if the current layer name is "layernames[i][0]" (the left column) and if so, rename it to "layernames[i][1]" (the right column). If you know how to write a loop in Javascript, then you can implement this right away.
However ..
A more advanced way to do this doesn't even need loop to over all layernames -- instead you can immediately "get" the correct name per layer! It's magic! Almost!
The trick is to use a Javascript object instead of an array. Javascript objects are nothing special; Illustrator's 'layers' is an array of objects, and each object "layer" has a property "name", whose value you can read and set. What I do here is create a new object, where the "name" part is the original layer name and its value is the new layer name. All you need to check for per each layer is if there is a property 'object.originalLayerName', and if so, assign its value to that layer name.
This looks a bit like the array above, except that (1) you use {..} instead of [..] to create an object, and (2) you add "name:value" pairs instead of "value" only (actually, the 'name' of a value in an array is simply its number).
So this is what it looks like:
// JavaScript Document
var doc = app.activeDocument;
// name indexed object
var layernames = {
'FHairBowlBoy *Hair':'Hairboy1',
'FHairCurlyafroBoy *Hair':'Hairboy2',
'FHairSpikyBoy *Hair':'Hairboy3'
// loop through all layers
for (var i = 0; i < doc.layers.length; i++)
//Set up Variable to access layer name
var currentLayer = app.activeDocument.layers[i];
if (layernames[currentLayer.name])
currentLayer.name = layernames[currentLayer.name];
Enjoy!

Replace layer names in selected layers only

I am using this script to find and replace words in layers. (The script only targets particualr words, rather than the whole layer name).
I would like to make it so it targets selected layers only.
I have found this script which loops through selected layers only, but I am not sure how to add the find and replace layer name functioality.
Thanks for any help that can be offered.

big_smile wrote:
Looking through the guide, it doesn't seem "hasSelectedArtwork", is a built in function either. Are there any tutorials or guides that explain how to target selected layers?
Wrong reference manual, see this one:
http://www.adobe.com/content/dam/Adobe/en/devnet/pdf/illustrator/scripting/cs6/Illustrator -Scripting-Reference-JavaScript.pdf
Page 91 -- CHAPTER 1: JavaScript Object Reference
Layer
Property
hasSelectedArtwork
Value type
boolean
What it is
If true, an object in this layer has been selected; set to false to deselect all objects in the layer.
So as I talked about here:
W_J_T wrote:
Correct. Yeah there is no direct way unfortunately (like many things via scripting), thats why I suggested using "hasSelectedArtwork", that would work if you select the layer target when selecting your desired layers to rename.
and...
W_J_T wrote:
if(layerReferenceString.hasSelectedArtwork == true){
// relative code
That would offer a way to know if a layer is selected or not.
As far as I know that is the only round about way of knowing if a layer is selected via scripting.

Recommendations for dual layer media-

hi,
I have a new mini with the pioneer dvr-K06 superdrive.
Can anyone suggest DL media that have worked for them?
Both for iDVD projects and with Toast (I have iDVD 7.0.2 and Toast 8.0).
(I've used imation single layer media with both toast and idvd and they've worked fine.)
Thanks-

Can anyone suggest DL media that have worked for them?
Exactly what Len Goff recommended.... It really is your best choice.
I've also had good results with Imation as you have discovered....but Verbatim is even better.
Others that have worked well for me are Taiyo Yuden, Maxell, and RiData.

Scripting problem replacing layer contents.

This is a follow up to the discussion in this thread http://forums.adobe.com/thread/480444?tstart=0.
I've virtually completed the script, I attached it as a .txt file rather than .jsx , In a brief nutshell it does the following:
Gets a text file name.
opens the psd identified in that document
walks the layers in that file
     if the layer is a text file and there is replacement text for that name in the input file, replace the text
     if the layer is an image (NORMAL) and there is an input file with a name (.jpg or .psd) matching the layer name then
           the layer is turned into a smart object and it's contents replaced with the contents of the relevant file.
Saves the modified psd file as the name indicated in the input file and close the original file.
If the input file indicates the file should be left open, reopen the modified file name.
Almost everything works well except ...
1. Sometimes the modified file loses it's layering and winds up with only a "background" layer whereas other times it retains it's layering. I'm sure this is due to some characteristic of the input template .psd, but with limited understanding of photoshop itself I've no idea what characteristic to look for.
Any suggestions as to what might be the source of this problem?
2. It appears that sometimes when creating the 1 layer file that will replace an image layer as a .jpg it losses the background transparency. This doesn't seem to happen if saved as a .psd, but the user wants to work with jpgs.
Any ideas why?
3. When replacing an image layer from another replacement file, the resulting new image in the modified file doesn't seem to be properly aligned. Incidentally, the same behaviour occurs if I do the steps of creating a smart layer and replacing manually in photoshop. I tried to attached the .psd files but the forum would not allow it.
Again any ideas why it might be misaligned or a code change that will fix it?
Any suggestions would be most thankfully accepted.
Steve Ellis.

3. When replacing an image layer from another replacement file, the resulting new image in the modified file doesn't seem to be properly aligned. Incidentally, the same behaviour occurs if I do the steps of creating a smart layer and replacing manually in photoshop. I tried to attached the .psd files but the forum would not allow it.
Again any ideas why it might be misaligned or a code change that will fix it
When a file is placed, you set the size and position in the layer. When you replace the contents the same transform values are used. If the file used to replace is not the same size as the first, it will not be the same size and location in the layer. I don't know of any way to determine the transform or reset it. The script could resize but that would require opening the file, resizing, and saving before the replace.
I created the .psd file with which to replace the image layer from the image layer of the original by changing the image and saving it. I then checked the image size, canvas size, and transform values of both and they matched. When I ran the program the replaced image was misplaced, too high in the new psd. I then editing the replacing file and changing the y transform value until it resulted in the right place when placed by the script. For it to work properly the y transform value of the replacing layer was approximately 100 more than the replaced layer (I assume this particular value will vary with the particulars of the files). This is what confuses me, when they were identical it didn't work properly.

Replace layer from history feature.

Here's a little thing I've been missing - the ability to replace a layer, with the active history step easily.
As an example lets say you have an adjustment layer, which you recently modified. You compare it with the original snapshot, the one created when you open the file, and you say 'hang on what I did this session looks like complete rubbish, I want to replace it with the layer from the snapshot quickly'. A control click and the option to choose "Replace Layer From History" would be a quick way to do this. This would of course work with any layer.
I'm of course aware that there is a workaround where you can create a new document from any snapshot, and then drag to replace and delete the old layer - but this one click method would be much appreciated.
Thanks, appreciating your love and support.
xxx

Thanks Chris…
• I guess mode conversions would require an automatic or warned conversion for pixel layers.
• No mode conversion can be done retaining adjustment layers so I'm not sure how that would be a problem, because there would be no current layers in the file that relate to the history state.
Maybe if you convert the mode the whole operation just becomes impossible/ grayed out?
• Layer oganization - hmm I guess thats one which I hadn't considered. I assume history states must have 'identifiers' attached to each layer, othewise the history brush wouldn't work. So relacing an entire layer with history, similar to paste with history, shouldnt be that difficult unless I'm missing something.

Will DVD Studio Pro support dual layer media

I have a project that is 1 hour and 46 minutes long. DVD Studio Pro 2 has built the project but it reports that a 4.7 DVD will not hold the build. Other than the Data Meter, is there a way to find out how much the project is over 4.7? What are my options? Is it possible to lower the compression settings to get this to fit without sacrificing too much quality? Does DVD Studio Pro 2 support dual layer burning? Sorry about asking these questions, but I am on my laptop which does not have the program or help/manual and I would like to find out ASAP so I can order dual layer media if that will work.
How sketchy is playback of home burned dual media in ordinary DVD players?

You should be able to get your project on a DVD-5, you would need to adjust your encoding settings and depending on the footage you may not see a big hit (You can build the project to see how far over it actually is)
First if you have not made the audio AC3, do so, will save room
As to the video , take a look here for calculator
http://www.videohelp.com/calc.htm
Usually I tweak a bit lower than the calulator. For instance if it says an average rate of 5.2, set you average to 5, chances are you will not see the differene between 5 and 5.2 and can save you reencoding heartache/headache down the road. Max rates really should not be higher than 7.4 or so - do not set max video rates to 9.636 as shown in the calculator. In theory it works, in practice can cause playback issues.
How sketchy is playback of home burned dual media in ordinary DVD players?
+R DL works fairly well DVD SP 2 did not support DL burning if I recall correctly, but if you have Toast you can burn from there.

Writing to Dual Layer Media

I know the new Macbook can read Dual layer media (8.5gb), but can it write to these also?
I have 1000's of photos to back up and dont want to buy these disks and find I cant use them, as they are quite expensive!

In theory, yes.
In practice, many find the superdrives in their apple notebooks to be fussy about media. And fairly slow burners.
I'd strongly urge that you use a tray-loading, external, firewire burner for any major project.
An external drive does not have the design constraints of these tiny superdrives that have to fit inside crowded notebooks.
With a less fussy drive, you will have much more choice in shopping for media, and can pay for the drive very quickly in media savings alone. Plus they can use mini-discs and discs with paper labels.

DVD Playback Issues with Dual Layer media

I have been using DVDSP for years now, and have rarely had any issues with burning my final projects to DVD. Any playback issues have usually been issues with players and +or-R media.
I have recently upgraded to a MacPro, and have been really stoked about being able to burn to Dual Layer media. My previous G5 didn't have a DL burner.
I have a large project that fills most the disk, and everything seems great in the software, and when playing the media files on the computer. But when I burn to disk, I have huge issues with playback on different DVD players, computers, etc. I have stuttering with menu's, freezing, and stuttering with playback of video.
I read that the issue could be because of the speed I'm burning at in DVDSP, so I saved as a disk image, and used disk utility to burn at a 4x speed. This seemed to help, but when I got to the end of the movie I had huge issues with stuttering/playback quality. So I burned another copy from the same disk image, and it wouldn't even play in my DVD player.
When I open the Video_TS folder from the DVDSP Build, and play right off my hard drive in the DVD software player, I don't have any of these issues.
So I'm guessing my problem is either my DVD media I'm using, or the burners on this new computer. I've burned DVD's on both burners (yes I have 2) and I still have the same problems.
I am using Memorex DVD+R DL and they are 8x.
Can anyone offer me some advice here. I really wish I could just hit burn and have a disk work. DL media isn't all that cheap and I don't know how many coasters I can make and keep my sanity.

I used compressor and I used the DVD: Best Quality 90 Minutes setting. The bit rate is avg 6.2 and maximum 7.7. And yes I used ac3 audio.
When you say lowest speeds possible... shouldn't a burner that says it burns at a speed work at that speed? I'm cool with burning at a lower speed to get this thing to work, but why have a burner that burns DVD DL at 8x speed, when it doesn't work? Shouldn't it work? Why is it that it won't work?
If I get Verbatim DVD+R DL, can I burn at 8x speed with those?
When I burn in disk utility I used the "varify burned data" and everything checks out ok. So why do I have this issue. Just curious.

Replace source media

I have a PSD which is animated and I just can't seem to change the source media. The replacement file is exactly the same size etc but if I try and copy keyframes onto a duplicate layer it doesn't seem to work and if I try and drag it from the library onto the existing layer is won't retain any of the keyframes... any help appreciated!

Care to share your solution?
Patrick

Has anyone used Toast 7.02 with Dual Layer media?

I bought a three-pack of Verbatim +R double layer discs just to experiment with (this is my first Mac with a DL burner). I've had some problems with Toast simply not responding but other than that occasional problem I've been able to burn Sony DVDs at 8x.
I'd like to try to burn one of the dual layers but I don't know if I should start with Toast or just create a burn folder or just let the OS do its thing or what.
Has anyone had experience with DL disks and Toast? The drive in my Intel iMac is a "MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846" (I've heard that some iMacs have different mechanisms?)

Thanks - I'm going to give it a go today. Just from the general impression I have from numerous conversations and lurking around here and other sites there seems to be a growing consensus that Verbatim DVD media is the best (and possibly CD media as well). I usually tend to simply buy whatever is on sell in the week when I'm running low and Sony media has done well while with Maxell (usually the brand on sale!) I usually find a few clunkers in a spool (mind you this was with my MDD G4,and I had both slots tricked out with Pioneer 106's).
I'm going to go web crawling later today, too, to see what the best pricing is for Verbatim DL's - I paid $23 at Office Depot for three in jewel cases but it was the only DL packaging they had and I'm sure prices have come down! (One would think!)
I've been using 7.02 since its release in November (?) but, with Toast, I always make certain not to trash my old app so that I'll not need to fish out the CD should new versions emit flying insects. I DO wish Roxio would release Toast as a Universal app - and soon! I also may try going back to 7.01 to see if that might 'fix' the occasional freeze I'm getting.
Thanks so much for letting me know about your success with Toast and Verbatim +R DL media - I am almost borderline OCD about back-ups and the more I can fit on a single disc the merrier I will be!

Best Dual-Layer Media?

It has been my experience that SuperDrives are very picky about which media they will use. My PowerBook was like this and my new iMac is also picky. My question is, can anyone recommend a brand of dual-layer dvds that they have had success with?
Here is my exact internal drive:
MATSHITADVD-R UJ-85J:
Model: MATSHITADVD-R UJ-85J
Revision: FCQA
Serial Number:
Detachable Drive: No
Protocol: ATAPI
Unit Number: 0
Socket Type: Internal
Low Power Polling: Yes
Thanks!

Here is a very good guide to use in purchaseing any media.
http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm
Cheers Don

How can i replace original media with newly transcoded optimised media in the timeline?

I have transcoded new optimised media (Prores 422) after importing and partly editing some original Canon H.264 material. I now want to replace the original H.264 edit with the matching new pro res 422 clips so I can playback more smoothly on a MBPro. I can't find a menu command in FCP X to allow me to do this other than during the initial import process. But it does allow you to create transcoded material after the initial import; how do you link/replace to it?

Welcome to one great feature of FCP X: what you are asking for is not needed. It is done for you automatically.
When you have selected "original or optimized media" selected in your preferences, FCP X will use optimized media if available, or original media if you haven't transcoded. So really there is no step 3 :-)

Replace layer media

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