Tweaks summarized

Tweaks for After Effects: A link to the paths.

Tweaks is a versatile tool for Adobe After Effects, designed to give you advanced control over paths, shapes, and layer distributions. “Tweaks” streamlines complex tasks with over 30 features. From morphing multiple shapes simultaneously to intricate path manipulations, this tool handles the heavy computational work, freeing you to focus on creative nuances like duration, property adjustments, and keyframe customization. Tweaks opens new avenues for creative exploration in AE.

The UI is divided into two rows of 2 tabs: ◾️ Points-Paths, Shapes-Layers ◾️Polymorphers and Spreaders.

Each tab has its list of features. At the bottom, you’ll find an erase, a bake expressions tool, the explode shapes and the
Launch button.

Because we can’t remember more than seven pieces of information, it would be cruel to make you remember +35 features. “Tweaks” is fully documented; tick the “Tool Tips” box, and all the information appears!

◾️Points-Paths:

Catch Points Curved

It allows you to manipulate path points and their tangents with a guide layer. This feature uses a guide layer named ‘Catch Points Curved’ to control the path points’ positions and tangents.
Select the layers containing the paths you want to manipulate. A guide layer named ‘Catch Points Curved’ will be automatically created. The path points and their tangents will be attracted towards the guide layer’s centre.

Attraction Strength: The radius of the guide layer influences the strength of the attraction.

Repulse Points

Select the layers containing the paths you want to manipulate. A guide layer named ‘Repulse Points’ will be automatically created. The path points will be repelled away from the guide layer’s center.

Repulsion Strength: The radius of the guide layer influences the strength of the repulsion.

Repulse Points Bezier

Select the layers containing the paths you want to manipulate. A guide layer named ‘Repulse Points Bezier’ will be automatically created. The path points and their tangents will be repelled away from the guide layer’s centre.

Repulsion Strength: The radius of the guide layer influences the strength of the repulsion.

Simplifier

A guide layer named ‘Simplifier’ is added to the composition

Each shape has its path simplified based on the guide layer’s position
+ the slider Intensity

Complexifier

Select the layers containing the paths you wish to make more complex. The tool will automatically generate a guide layer named ‘Complexifier’ with the following controls:

A guide layer named ‘Complexifier’ is added to the composition.

Divider: Guide Position multiplier
Horizontal Solver: Allows you to control the horizontal projection of the paths
Vertical Solver: Enables you to manage the vertical projection of the paths
Guide Position: The guide layer’s position in the composition determines the
threshold for adding complexity. The
Y-coordinate of the guide layer’s position is used as the threshold. Points above this threshold will have additional points inserted between them.

Breeze

Select the layers containing the paths you want to manipulate. A guide layer named ‘Breeze’ will be automatically created. This guide layer will have sliders for ‘Freq’, ‘Speed’, ‘Damping’, ‘Smoother’, and ‘Amplitude Solver’.

Freq: Controls the frequency of the breeze effect.
Speed: Controls the speed of the breeze animation.
Damping: Controls the damping effect, which reduces the amplitude of oscillations over distance.
Smoother: Controls the smoothness of the breeze effect.
Amplitude Solver: Controls the amplitude of the breeze effect based on the guide layer’s scale.

WaveCraft

Select the layers containing the paths you want to manipulate. A guide layer with a random name like ‘WaveCraft-XYZ’ will be automatically created. This guide layer will have sliders for ‘Frequency’, ‘Amplitude’, ‘Phase’, and ‘Speed’. The more you have points on the path, the more accurate the waves are.

Frequency: Controls the frequency of the sine wave.
Amplitude: Controls the amplitude of the sine wave.
Phase: Controls the phase of the sine wave.
Speed: Controls the speed of the sine wave animation.

Flames

Select the layers containing the paths you want to manipulate. A guide layer with a random name like ‘Flames-XYZ’ will be automatically created. This guide layer will have sliders for ‘Treshold’, ‘Speed’, ‘Seeds’, ‘Attraction Intensity’, and ‘Noise’.

Threshold: Controls the Y-axis threshold for the flame effect.
Speed: Controls the speed of the flame animation.
Seeds: Controls the randomness of the flame effect.
Attraction Intensity: Controls the intensity of the flame’s attraction towards the guide layer.
Noise: Controls the noise level in the flame effect.

Vacuum

This feature is particularly useful for animators who want to create effects that involve stretching or compressing shapes. Users can control how much a guide layer influences a shape by manipulating the Vacuum parameter. Select the shape layers to which you wish to apply tension to activate the’ Tension’ feature. A guide layer named ‘Tension’ will be automatically generated, offering a slider for the following control:

Vacuum: Sets the amount of tension applied to the shape layer. The range is from 0 to infinity, with higher values resulting in more tension.
Complexity: Number of points dynamically added / Created curved segments

The tension is calculated based on the distance between each point in the shape and guide layers. The closer the point is to the guide layer, the more it is influenced by the tension.

Delay Up and Down

Select the layers containing the paths you want to manipulate. A guide layer named ‘Delay Up and Down’ will be automatically created. The feature uses the guide layer’s position and scale to determine the direction and extent of the vertical movement.

Guide Position: The X-coordinate of the guide layer’s position determines the direction of the movement. If the guide layer is positioned to the left of the composition’s centre, the direction is upwards. If it’s to the right, the direction is downwards.
Guide Scale: The Y-scale of the guide layer determines the delay factor for the vertical movement. A higher scale results in a longer delay.
Last Keyframe Time: The time of the last keyframe on the guide layer’s position is used to calculate the time since the last keyframe, affecting the speed of the vertical movement.

Tornado

It is designed to offer intricate control over the arrangement of layers in a tornado-like pattern. You can use guide layers to adjust various aspects, such as the tornado effect’s frequency, height, width, and orientation. The ‘Bake’ button is available for generating keyframes, allowing you to fine-tune your design further.

To employ the ‘Tornado’ feature, you must first select the shape/stroke you wish to transform. The tool will automatically generate a guide layer named ‘Tornado’ upon selection. This guide layer is equipped with several controls:

Frequency: Determines the number of twists in the tornado.
Height: Adjusts the vertical scale of the tornado.
Width: Modifies the horizontal scale of the tornado.
Orientation: Alters the angle of the tornado and mimics a 3D view/animation
Speed: Controls the rate of the tornado’s rotation.
Segments Curvature: This allows you to adjust the curvature of the tornado’s segments.

The ‘Orientation’ control is dynamically influenced by the position of the guide layer, adding an extra layer of customization.

◾️Shapes-Layers:

Carousel in Depth (concave & convex)

Select the layers you wish to arrange to use the ‘Carousel in Depth’ feature. The tool will then automatically create a guide layer named ‘Carousel’. This guide layer is equipped with several controls:

Vertical: A checkbox that toggles the orientation of the carousel between horizontal and vertical.
Min Scale: This allows you to set the minimum scale for the layers in the carousel.
Max Scale: Enables you to define the maximum scale for the layers.
Tracking: Controls the distance between the layers in the carousel.

The ‘Min Scale’ and ‘Max Scale’ controls offer various scaling options, allowing you to create depth in your carousel. The ‘Tracking’ control provides an additional layer of customization by dynamically adjusting the distance between layers based on their position.

Magnetism

To utilize the ‘Magnetism’ feature, you’ll need to select the layers you wish to magnetize. Once you’ve selected it, the tool will automatically create a Magnetism guide layer. The layers will then be attracted towards this guide layer based on their distance from it. The attraction strength is dynamically calculated, ensuring a natural, magnet-like effect. The closer a layer is to the guide, the stronger the attraction.

Repulsion

Create a repulsion effect between layers and a guide layer. This feature offers a unique way to animate layers by controlling the strength and direction of the repulsion. Upon selecting the layers you want to animate, a guide layer named ‘Shape Repulse’ will be automatically generated. This guide layer acts as the centre of repulsion for the selected layers. The distance and direction of each layer to this guide layer determine the strength and direction of the repulsion.

Hi! Bye!

The ‘Hi! Bye!’ feature in the ‘Tweaks’ tool for Adobe After Effects is designed to create a magnetic attraction effect between layers and a guide layer. This feature allows you to control the strength and direction of the attraction, offering a dynamic way to animate layers. To use this feature, select the layers you wish to animate. The tool will automatically generate a guide layer named ‘Hi! Bye!’. This guide layer serves as the centre of attraction for the selected layers. The distance and direction of each layer to this guide layer determine the strength and direction of the attraction.

Layers Spinner

When you select the layers you wish to rotate, the tool automatically creates a guide layer named ‘Layers Spinner’. This guide layer provides a single but powerful control:

Rotation: Determines the rotation angle of the layers around the guide layer.

Positional Pioneer

When selecting the layers you want to manipulate, the tool automatically creates a ‘Positional Pioneer’ guide layer. This guide layer provides the following control:

Position: Determines the position of the layers with the guide layer, influenced by distance and direction.

re-drop Sadow

Allows you to manipulate the
Drop Shadow EFFECT of layers in a highly customizable manner. Using a guide layer named ‘Drop Sadow Tweak’, you can control the drop shadow’s direction, distance, and softness. The ‘Bake’ button can be used to generate keyframes for further customization.

When selecting the layers you want to modify, the tool automatically creates a ‘Drop Sadow Tweak’ guide layer. This guide layer offers the following controls:

Drop Shadow Direction: Determines the angle of the drop shadow.
Drop Shadow Distance: Sets the distance between the layer and its shadow.
Drop Shadow Softness: Controls the softness of the shadow edges.

Faux Depth

Select the layers you wish to manipulate to activate the ‘Depth’ feature. The tool will then automatically generate a guide layer named ‘Depth’. This guide layer comes with a ‘Scale Factor’ control:

Scale Factor: This control allows you to set the scaling factor for the layers, ranging from 0 to 200. The control is dynamically linked to the scale of the guide layer, offering an additional layer of customization.
Delay: A 0.1-second delay is applied to each layer, creating a staggered effect.
Exponential Decay: A decay function is applied to both the scale and rotation of the layers, providing a natural and smooth transition.
Blur Effect: A Gaussian blur is applied to the layers, and its intensity is related to the scale.

Swallower

The ‘Swallower’ is designed to manipulate the shape layers so that they appear to be attracted or repelled by a guide layer. This feature is particularly useful for creating complex animations involving shape deformations, such as swallowing or rejecting effects. To activate the ‘Swallower’ feature, you need to select the shape layers you wish to deform. A guide layer named ‘Swallower’ will be automatically generated, offering sliders for the following controls:

Swallow: Sets the force with which the shape is attracted towards the guide layer.
Reject: Determines the force with which the shape is repelled from the guide layer.
Min Distance: Sets the minimum distance for complexity addition.
Upscale: Scales the force multiplier.
Complexity: Adds complexity to the shape deformation.

◾️Polymorphers and Spreaders:

The PolyMorphers offer a powerful yet user-friendly way to morph shapes in Adobe After Effects with customization tools. GOOD TO KNOW:
Polymorphers have global Proximity and Sensitivity Controls + Many Easing functions before you launch them.

PolyMorpher Classic

Select at least two layers you wish to morph to use the feature. After selection, a guide layer named “XMorph-[RandomName]” will be automatically generated. This guide layer will have two markers and two controls, such as ‘Threshold’ and ‘Tolerance’.

Threshold: This slider controls the sensitivity of the morphing process. A higher value will result in a more abrupt transition, while a lower value will make the transition smoother.
Tolerance: This slider adjusts the point-matching algorithm’s sensitivity. A higher tolerance will allow for more significant differences in the number of points between the two shapes. In comparison, a lower tolerance will require the shapes to have a similar number of points for successful morphing.

The guide layer also includes markers labelled ‘start’ and ‘end’, which define the time range during which the morphing will occur.

While the ‘Tolerance’ slider can adjust for some differences, extreme disparities in the number of points may result in less-than-ideal morphing.

PolyMorpher: Legacy

“PolyMorpher: Legacy” facilitates shapes morphing between two selected layers with a geometrical approach. It seamlessly transitions from one shape to another.

Select two layers you wish to morph to use the “PolyMorpher: Legacy” feature. After selection, the tool will automatically generate guide layers with unique naming conventions, such as “Morph-[Number]” and “Ref-[Number]”. An “XMorph-[Number]” guide layer will also be created, containing markers to control the morphing duration.

Markers: These are present in the guide layer and allow you to control the start and end times of the morphing animation.

PolyMorpher: Explosion

The “PolyMorpher: Explosion” is a feature designed to morph between two selected layers in a visually stunning explosion-like transition. “PolyMorpher” offers a unique way to transition between shapes. The tool automatically generates a guide layer and controls.

Select at least two layers you wish to morph to use the “PolyMorpher: Explosion” feature. After selection, a guide layer named “XMorph-[RandomName]” will be automatically created. This guide layer will have markers and controls that are essential for the morphing process.

Threshold: This control adjusts the intensity of the morphing effect.

Here are some key points to note:

The tool automatically renames the layers to “Morph-[RandomName]” and “Ref-[RandomName]” for easier identification.
The tool pairs the path properties of the selected layers and applies the morphing calculations.
The tool limits the number of paths that can be morphed. If the number exceeds 3000, an alert will be displayed.

◾️Spreaders:

‘Spreaders,’ are designed to distribute layers in various patterns like cross, spiral, T, pyramid, Y, X shapes, etc.

Using guide layers, ‘Spreaders’ provide dynamic spacing, elasticity, and rotation controls. These controls are not static but linked to the guide layer’s scale for added customization. The ‘Bake’ button allows you to convert these settings into keyframes for further fine-tuning. ‘Spreaders’ offers a versatile way to enhance your After Effects projects.

Spread +

To use the ‘Spread +’ feature, you’ll need to select the layers you want to manipulate. Once selected, the tool will automatically create a guide layer named ‘Cross Center’. This guide layer will have markers and controls such as ‘Spacing’, ‘Elastic’, and ‘Rotation’.

Spacing: Controls the distance between the layers.
Elastic: A checkbox that, when enabled, applies an elastic ease to the layer movement.
Rotation: This allows you to set the rotation angle for the entire arrangement.

The ‘Spacing’ control is particularly interesting as it’s not just a static value; it’s dynamically linked to the scale of the guide layer, providing an additional layer of control.

Spread as Spiral

Spacing: Governs the distance between the layers in the spiral.
Elastic: A checkbox that, when activated, applies an elastic ease to the layers’ movement.
Rotation: Permits you to specify the rotation angle for the entire spiral formation.

What sets the ‘Spacing’ control apart is its dynamic link to the scale of the guide layer, offering you an extra layer of customization.

Spread T

Spacing: Dictates the gap between the layers.
Elastic: A checkbox that, when checked, introduces an elastic ease to the movement of the layers.
Rotation: This enables you to define the rotation angle for the entire set of layers.

Spread as Pyramid

Spacing: Regulates the distance between the layers in the pyramid. The spacing is dynamically linked to the scale of the guide layer.
Elastic: A checkbox that, when checked, applies an elastic ease to the movement of the layers.

Spread Triskle

Spacing: Determines the distance between the layers. This value is dynamically linked to the scale of the guide layer.
Elastic: A checkbox that, when enabled, applies an elastic ease to the layer movement.
Rotation: This enables you to define the rotation angle for the entire set of layers.

Spread Z

Spacing: Regulates the distance between the layers in the Z-pattern. The spacing is dynamically linked to the scale of the guide layer.
Elastic: A checkbox that, when checked, applies an elastic ease to the movement of the layers.

Spread X

Spacing: Determines the distance between the layers. This value is dynamically linked to the scale of the guide layer.
Elastic: A checkbox that, when enabled, applies an elastic ease to the layer movement.
Rotation: Allows you to set the rotation angle for the entire arrangement.

Spread as Rect

The ‘Spread as Rect’ feature allows you to arrange layers in a rectangular pattern. It uses a guide layer named ‘Rectangle Center’ to control the layout. You can customize spacing, elasticity, and rotation.

Guide Layer: A guide layer named ‘Rectangle Center’ is created.
Markers: Markers are added to the guide layer to indicate start and end points.
Spacing: A slider controls the distance between layers, dynamically linked to the guide layer’s scale.
Elastic: A checkbox applies an elastic ease to layer movement.
Rotation: A rotation slider lets you set the angle for the entire arrangement.

“Tweaks” sorts the selected layers by their index. It then calculates the number of rows and columns needed for the rectangular arrangement. The position of each layer is determined based on its row and column, which is influenced by the ‘Spacing’ slider. Time-based easing is applied, and an elastic ease is used if the ‘Elastic’ checkbox is checked. Finally, the layers are rotated based on the ‘Rotation’ slider value.

Spread as Circle

The ‘Spread as Circle’ feature arranges layers in a circular pattern. It uses a guide layer named ‘Epicenter’ for control. Customizable options include radius and rotation.

Guide Layer: A guide layer named ‘Epicenter’ is created.
Markers: Markers are added to indicate start and end points.
Radius: A slider controls the circle’s radius, dynamically linked to the guide layer’s scale.
Elastic: A checkbox applies an elastic ease to layer movement.
Rotation: A rotation slider lets you set the angle for the entire circle.

“Tweaks” sorts the selected layers and calculates the angle increment needed for the circular arrangement. The position of each layer is determined based on its angle and the ‘Radius’ slider. Time-based easing is applied, and an elastic ease is used if the ‘Elastic’ checkbox is checked. Finally, the layers are rotated based on the ‘Rotation’ slider value.

Spread Also as “E” and Pentacle, and more shapes to come.

Special feature: Upward!

‘Upward’ was built to simulate the physics of objects being lifted by a traction force. This feature allows you to manipulate parameters like gravity, traction, rope stiffness, and wind speed to create upward movements. This feature also offers controls for elasticity, pendulum amplitude, and damping to add nuanced behaviors to the animation.

Select the three layers that will act as the Traction, Rope, and Weight in your animation. Once selected, a guide layer named ‘Upward’ will be automatically generated, containing sliders for the following controls:

Speed: Adjusts the speed of the animation.
Gravity: Sets the gravitational force affecting the objects.
Traction: Determines the upward force applied to the objects.
Stiffness: Controls the stiffness of the rope.
Elasticity: Modifies the elasticity of the rope.
Wind: Adds a wind effect to the animation.
Swing: Controls the amplitude of the pendulum swing.
Damping: Sets the damping factor to control energy loss in the system.