Resources for writing AE plugins?

[theta 0]

Ideally I'd like to find a step-by-step guide that shows how to compile a plug-in for AE. I'm having an extremely hard time finding this info. I've downloaded the AE CS4 SDK, and have looked through some sample files, but having no prior experience with C++, I have no idea what's happening in the sample files.

 

I can mess around with the code and learn C++ as I go, but I just can't get the overall workflow down. Anyone have some tips/resources? Thanks..

[Mylenium 0]

The AE SDK forum perhaps? --> http://forums.adobe.com/community/aftereffects_general_discussion/aftereffects_sdk

 

Though, in all fairness, you really should learn some C/ C++ first. All that API stuff is not going to be of any use to you, if you can't fill it with life and logic and that means all basic knowledge of programming and math...

 

Mylenium

[Mylenium 0]

And another thought: I quite comprehensive selection of examples can be obtained by just downloading Pete Warden's plug-in source code.

 

Mylenium

[theta 0]

Thanks Mylenium,

 

I've browsed through the SDK forums, but a lot of it is specific questions that are over my head right now. I'll try searching a little deeper over there. Thanks for the tip about Pete's plugins, I'll have a look at that too.

[Bartleby 0]

These might help:

 

Bruce Bullis' API Zone blog (now defunct)

http://blogs.adobe.com/ae_api/

 

specifically his jumpstart:

http://blogs.adobe.com/ae_api/Head_First_Plug-in_Development.pdf

 

and "How to Write Plug-Ins for Adobe After Effects by Kas Thomas" (also old):

http://www.mactech.com/articles/mactech/Vol.15/15.09/AfterEffectsPlugins/

 

but yup, you'll also need a C++ primer.

[Todd Kopriva 0]

Did you try the (old but still useful) step-by-step guide that I link to from the "Plug-ins" page?