Aescripts – QueueMaster v1.13 for After Effects

New Features in QueueMaster v1.1

• Automate up to 32 Output Modules per render queue item!
• Choose from over 50 variables such as date, time, comp resolution, and etc to aid creation of file paths / file names.
• The QueueMaster interface now displays the color for each Quick Label. The colors can be customized in the Full tab.
• It’s now possible to add notes for each label. These notes can be viewed while mousing over the Quick Labels and holding the shift key.
• In addition to the current copy/paste features, you can now individually copy and paste output module settings.
• When using the “Prep Queue” command, you can hold the shift key to begin rendering immediately after the settings have been applied.
• New versioning method allows you to archive older renders without causing version numbers to reset.
• Added integration with RenderHogs. QueueMaster can enable all layers/effects tagged as hogs on before rendering. All substitutes will be disabled.

Features

QueueMaster can automate the following parameters:

Render Settings Templates

Output Module Templates (up to 32 per render queue item)

File paths

• Absolute file paths
• Relative file paths (based on the location of the AEP file)
• Subfolders can be generated based on your bin folder hierarchy
• Any specified file paths that do not exist will be created

File names

File names are based on comp names
Prefixes
Suffixes

Image Sequences

• Creation of image sequence folders
• Define what character is used to separate the frame number as opposed to the default underscore
• Define how many digits should be used in the frame number

Versioning

• When enabled, QueueMaster detects if existing versions of your render exist and sets the appropriate version number
• Versioning can be used for both self-contained formats like Quicktime as well as image sequences.
• Specify how many digits are in the version number

Do Not Render – When applied, QueueMaster will un-queue any comps with the associated label color to prevent rendering incomplete work.

File Path Variables (show me!)

QueueMaster includes a “Custom File Path Builder” that allows you to choose from over 50 variables to create highly customized file paths/names. As you type / add variables, a realtime filepath preview is displayed, allowing you to see the result without actually rendering any files. Here’s a few ways this feature can be utilized:

• Render comps into a folders with the current time and/or date.
• Sort comps into folders based on their resolution, frame rate, format, numbers of layers, number of layers, duration and etc.
• Add comments from project panel to comp’s file name

Quick Labels

The Quick Labels interface lets you assign render presets to your comps without the need to remember the color associated with each preset. Simply highlight the comp(s) in your bin and click on the Quick Label to be applied. You can customize the text and color for each button.

Interchangeable Settings Files

• QueueMaster generates a settings file that can be backed up, stored with your project files, emailed to other users, shared over a network, and etc.
• You could potentially create a different settings file for each client, or each type of project.
• Changing the settings file is a simple task that is done in the Prefs tab.
• Store the settings file on your network so multiple After Effects users can ensure they’re producing renders in a consistent way.
• QueueMaster has a Read Only mode that prevents unintentional modification of the settings file.

Tips

• Please try QueueMaster with a sample project before attempting to use it for your work.
• Once you’ve setup all your presets, use the Compact tab to reduce the footprint of QueueMaster in your interface.
• When you mouse over most buttons/controls, a help tip will appear giving you detailed information about that command.  The help tips can be disabled in the Prefs tab once you’ve become familiar with QueueMaster and no longer want to see these popups.
• Don’t forget to customize your Quick Label buttons!  These buttons allow you to quickly apply output settings to your comps without the need to remember the color associated with each preset.
• If you share your QueueMaster settings file with other users, make sure they have the same render templates and output module templates as you.  It’s possible to export/import these by going to the Edit > Templates menu in After Effects.
• It’s best to install QueueMaster to the Script UI folder so it can be docked into the After Effects interface.  Once the script is installed, launch it from the Window menu.
• Make sure “Allow Scripts to Write Files and Access Network” is enabled in the General section of the After Effects preferences.
• It’s always a good idea to backup your settings file once you’re finished with setting up QueueMaster.
• Color labels must be applied in the bin using either the QueueMaster Quick Label buttons or by right clicking on the comp(s).  Changing the color labels inside the render queue will have no effect which output settings are assigned.